Are you thinking about teeth whitening treatment and wondering how long its effects will last? Our dentists in Winnipeg discuss both in-office and at-home whitening options, along with the factors that determine how white your smile will remain, for how long.
What is teeth whitening?
As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to staining from food and other substances. Tooth enamel naturally attracts food particles. Substances such as coffee, wine, tea, berries and tobacco are notorious for staining teeth. These are a couple of reasons why teeth whitening has grown more common among people who would like to whiten their smiles.
Today, many people are choosing at-home teeth whitening methods to reverse effects of stains and aging. Professional teeth whitening has also helped many people improve their confidence in their smile.
Today, we'll explain how long the effects of teeth whitening may last, and which actions you can take to ensure your teeth remain as white as possible after treatment.
How long will the effects of teeth whitening last?
Depending on whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or the at-home alternative, you'll want to keep in mind how long each are expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Though in-office teeth whitening has an immediate whitening effect on your smile due to a high concentration bleaching gel, it will not permanently whiten your teeth.
Because a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it’s safe, reliable and non-invasive. Dentists screen teeth whitening patients to ensure their oral health doesn’t preclude them from being a candidate for the treatment.
However, after a time you’ll need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. If you continually expose your teeth to foods or drinks that may cause them to stain, the whiteness of your teeth will likely begin to fade after a few months.
Provided you avoid these foods and drinks following your treatment, you may only require a touchup after about a year.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Using take-home teeth whitening products available at Fort Richmond Dental Centre can help keep your teeth white — and you can complete the treatment in the comfort of your own home.
Within 10 to 14 days of starting to use an at-home teeth whitening kit, most patients notice a difference. Patients usually see full results by the end of the treatment period. Results tend to last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments purchased from a store.
The results gleaned from at-home teeth whitening kits can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the treatment, its strength, how diligent you are about reapplying the gel, and other factors.
Of course, ensure you attend your regularly scheduled dental appointments, and that you maintain an excellent at-home oral health routine (including brushing and flossing daily).
A number of factors can influence how white your teeth look - and remain - after a teeth whitening treatment. The degree of whiteness varies from person to person depending on the:
- Condition of your teeth
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
If you are curious about your teeth whitening options and which ones might work for you, speak with your dentist. You might also want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online to learn about other patients’ experiences.