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Are you considering teeth whitening treatment and wondering how long the effects will last? Our Southwood Dental Studio - Highbury dentists explain both in-office and at-home whitening options and the factors that determine how white your smile will remain, for how long.
What exactly is teeth whitening?
Over time the effects of the food and other substances we consume begin to show. It is natural that our tooth enamel attracts food particles, and products such as tobacco, tea, wine, coffee and even berries are some of the most common causes of stained teeth.
It is a common choice for people today to consider both at-home and professional teeth whitening to try to reverse the effect of years of staining. Teeth whitening can help to improve your confidence in your smile.
Here, our dentists will discuss how long the effect of teeth whitening may last, and what you can do to ensure your teeth remain white as long 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 is expected to last.
Professional Teeth Whitening
When you have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist, they will use a high concentration bleaching gel. Although you may see a large difference immediately it is important to note that it will not permanently whiten your teeth.
When you have a dentist perform your professional teeth whitening treatment, you can be sure that 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.
You will need to keep in mind that if you wish to continue the effects of the teeth whitening treatments then you will need to continue to have the process done on a fairly regular basis. 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.
Teeth Whitening At-Home
Once you have had your teeth whitening procedure completed with your dentist, you may opt to continue with at-home teeth whitening kits in between your professional visits.
For most patients, it takes roughly 10 to 14 days to notice a difference when 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.
Most patients can expect the results of at-home teeth whitening kits have an effect 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.