Looking for a shiny new smile? Then professional teeth whitening is the best way to achieve that. Regardless of whether your teeth are yellow or stained, professional teeth whitening is a simple, effective solution.
Most people will experience stains and yellowing of teeth over time. Teeth whitening is the easiest solution, improving the way your teeth look and at the same time, giving you a youthful, brighter looking smile. And professional teeth whitening will not harm your teeth, it’s both safe and effective. You can choose between either in-office or at-home whitening kits from your dental team.
But, you may want to know just how long teeth whitening lasts. The answer depends on the type of treatment chosen, and your own dental hygiene.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In just one visit to your dentist’s office, you’ll find your teeth can become beautifully white. A special laser light activates bleaching agents applied directly to your teeth for quick and attractive results. At our office, we utilize a bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide, which is applied to the teeth; a laser light is then used to enhance the action of the whitening agent.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening kits, which can offer less effective results and even possibly harm your teeth, a professional take-home whitening kit from your dentist is an excellent option. At our office, we will make an impression of your teeth to make a customized mouth guard to hold carbide peroxide-containing whitening gel against the teeth. Once the mouth guard is made, it’s worn for a period of time, as instructed. Time can vary from a couple hours a day, or all night, for up to four weeks or longer, as desired. At home whitening is a great idea if you are only experiencing minor stains or discoloration.
Take-home whitening kits can also be successfully used to maintain the bright look of in-office whitening results.
Why Causes Teeth to Stain?
Teeth can become stained for a number of reasons that include:
- Regular use of coffee, tea, red wine, some berries, citrus fruits, carrots
- Medication, for example, tetracycline
- Smoking
- Overusing fluoride causing mottled white spots
- Aging
Whatever causes teeth staining, professional teeth whitening is the easy solution.
So Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Although teeth whitening is not permanent, it can last for many years. In-office whitening treatments typically last up to 3 years; professional at-home whitening treatment is less long lasting, but it results in much longer-term results than over-the-counter whitening treatments, toothpastes, and whitening strips.
In short, despite the fact that teeth whitening won’t last forever, you can extend that whiterlook with your own good dental hygiene – regular brushing, flossing, and scheduling professional teeth cleaning from your dental office, as well as by staying away from food and beverages that can cause teeth staining.
Extend Your Teeth Whitening Results
Overall, the best ways to extend the look of your newly whitened teeth is by:
- Regular professional dental cleaning every six months
- Good dental hygiene at home – brushing and flossing twice a day
- Avoiding dark colored food and beverages for a full week after whitening
- Sipping dark beverages such as red wine and tea with a straw whenever possible
- Follow up or maintenance whitening as recommended by your dentist
Remember, tooth whitening treatments reduce stains, but they do not keep them away forever. If you have good dental hygiene, professional dental procedures will last longer.
Ready to Learn More About Teeth Whitening?
If you’re eager to find out more, we’re here to help with your teeth whitening needs, whether you’d like in-office or at-home teeth professional teeth whitening. Give us a call, today!
If you’re ready to learn more or schedule an appointment, reach out to us today, and let our skilled team help your smile to look its best and brightest!
FAQs
Although teeth whitening is not permanent, it can last for many years. In-office whitening treatments typically last up to 3 years; professional at-home whitening treatment is less long lasting, but it results in much longer-term results than over-the-counter whitening treatments, toothpastes, and whitening strips.
How long does a teeth whitening last? ›
The effects of teeth whitening can last up to 2-3 years or as little as 6 months. It varies from person to person. Things that will stain your teeth quickly and make your whitening short-lived include: – Smoking.
What is the duration of teeth whitening treatment? ›
Professional teeth whitening treatment typically takes three to four weeks. First, the dental team needs to make the mouth guard using impressions to ensure that the teeth whitening solution goes on all the teeth.
Are teeth whitening results permanent? ›
Even though professional teeth whitening has incredible success rates, it does not offer permanent results. Your teeth will remain white for about 6 – 12 months before you need retreatment. The results last longer if you intentionally care for your teeth to maintain their whiteness and brightness.
How long does crest teeth whitening last? ›
You can easily avoid a complex tooth whitening process by selecting a program such as Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects, which can dramatically whiten your teeth and provide noticeable results that last for an entire year.
Will my teeth go back to yellow after whitening? ›
The level of whitening obtained depends on the bleaching agent's concentration in the gel and how often you use the strips. Results can last for several months, but over time, factors like diet and oral hygiene may cause teeth to regain some of their original color gradually.
Do teeth continue to whiten after treatment? ›
Spotting. Color Spotting on the teeth may occur after in office Whitening due to temporary dehydration of the teeth. This should diminish within a few days after treatment. The whitening process will continue for 48 hours after treatment.
How long does it take to professionally whiten teeth? ›
The length of professional teeth whitening depends on the dentist you choose, how many shades the patients want to lighten their smile, and other factors. In general, it typically takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The following is a review of professional teeth whitening and how long the process takes.
How long is a course of teeth whitening? ›
If you opt for in-practice teeth whitening, it takes about two hours to achieve results, but whitening needs to be maintained with a top-up kit for around a week to ensure the results are permanent. At-home teeth whitening kits take around two to three weeks to take effect. How much whiter will my teeth look?
How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally? ›
When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening. Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.
Chairside bleaching (in-office tooth whitening)
If you maintain good oral hygiene, a chairside (or in-office) procedure should provide long-lasting results for 1 to 3 years. This procedure is done in your dentist's office. It usually requires only one visit.
Can yellow teeth be permanently whitened? ›
Unfortunately, teeth whitening is not permanent. The length of your results will depend on your unique case, but typically teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few months to 3 years.
What is the best way to permanently whiten teeth? ›
While teeth whitening is the most popular treatment in the field of cosmetic dentistry, it may not be the best option for everyone. Luckily, permanent, whiter teeth can be achieved by receiving porcelain veneers in Scotts Valley.
How long does LED teeth whitening last? ›
Generally speaking, if you take care of your teeth and avoid staining foods and drinks, your teeth should stay white for around six months after treatment. However, if you are a regular coffee drinker or smoker, then the whiteness of your teeth may only last for around three months.
How often should you whiten your teeth? ›
We advise whitening your teeth just once a year, whether professionally or at home. This should keep sensitivity from becoming a problem while helping you maintain a white, natural-looking smile. Typically, the professional-grade whitening kits available from our dental office last about a year.
Does Crest toothpaste really whiten teeth? ›
Stain prevention: Chemical Stain Prevention is possible through phosphate technologies, such as pyrophosphates and sodium hexametaphosphate. The latter can be found in Crest 3D White Brilliance Teeth Whitening Toothpaste which whiten teeth by removing up to 100% of stains in just 5 days when used twice daily.
Is it worth getting my teeth whitened? ›
According to some studies, having whiter teeth can make you appear younger, more attractive, more employable and more successful. Just think of the instant boost of confidence that could bring to your day-to-day life.
How often do you need to whiten your teeth? ›
How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.
Do teeth stain faster after whitening? ›
While whitening treatments can temporarily make teeth more susceptible to staining immediately after the procedure, this effect is typically short-lived.
Do you brush your teeth again after whitening? ›
As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.
