Are you thinking about teeth whitening treatment and wondering how long its effects will last? Our Burnaby dentist explains both in-office and at-home whitening options and the factors that impact how while your smile will remain, for how long.
What is teeth whitening?
As we age, it becomes more challenging to keep stains from food and other substances we consume from causing discolouration on our teeth. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts food particles and products such as coffee, wine, tea, berries and tobacco are well-known culprits for staining.
Today, more people are deciding on in-office and at-home whitening procedures to reverse effects of aging and stains,. Professional teeth whitening may help to improve your confidence in your smile.
In this post, we explore how long the effects of teeth whitening may last, and what you can do to ensure your teeth remain white for as long as possible following treatment.
How long will the effects of teeth whitening last?
Depending on whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or the at-home option, you'll want to note how long each are expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
While in-office teeth whitening has an immediate whitening effect on your smile as a result of the high-concentration bleaching gel, it will not permanently whiten your teeth.
Since a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it's non-invasive, safe and reliable. Dentists have teeth whitening patients answer a number of screening questions to ensure they are a candidate for the treatment based on their oral health.
After a time, you'll need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. If your teeth are continually exposed to foods or drinks that may cause stains, the whiteness of your teeth will likely start to fade after a few months.
Provided you avoid these foods and beverages after your treatment, you may only need a touchup after a year.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Using take-home teeth whitening products from your dentist’s office can help to fresh the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments - and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.
Most patients notice a difference within 10 to 14 days of starting to use their at-home teeth whitening kit. The full results usually appear by the end of the treatment period, and they tend to last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments purchased from the 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.