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How long does whitening of the teeth last? Sadly, there isn’t a single answer to this issue because it relies on a variety of things, including the kind of whitening technique used, your dietary and lifestyle choices, and how well you take care of your teeth following the procedure. To help you choose the method that’s right for you, we can provide you with an overview of how long each of the most well-liked teeth-whitening treatments lasts.
Teeth whitening is a quick and inexpensive option to improve your smile significantly. Tooth whitening will improve your smile, which also fights the typical surface stains brought on by soft beverages, red wine, coffee, and some foods. Teeth discoloration is also a result of smoking and age.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Depending on the kind of whitener you’re using, you can expect tooth whitening to last for a certain amount of time. Your personal habits have an impact as well.
Treatments for teeth whitening are made to lessen stains, not to ward them off. At-home items and dental operations will last longer if you practice good oral hygiene and keep your teeth clean.
It might last from six months to three years when done by an expert.
Types of Tooth Discoloration
It matters a lot how badly and what kind of stains you have on your teeth. There are two types of discoloration on teeth:
- Intrinsic (internal) – caused by medicine, infection, trauma, and aging. Given the proper kind of therapy, these interior, deep stains can be removed, but it is more difficult to do so.
- Extrinsic (external) – caused by poor diet, tobacco, and alcohol. Most bleaching agents only remove extrinsic stains.
The longer you expose stain-causing substances to your teeth, the more likely it is that the stains will be permanent.
Types of Whitening Treatments Available
The most well-liked teeth-whitening treatments and how long they last are listed below.
- Whitening toothpaste
It can take two to six weeks before you start to see any improvements from using a whitening toothpaste twice a day. According to users, these results can last as long as three or four months.
Each day or several times a week, you can use whitening toothpaste. They have substances in them that polish or whiten teeth, like:
- hydrogen peroxide
- carbamide peroxide
- mild abrasives
The interior color of teeth cannot be altered by toothpaste, which only includes abrasives and removes surface stains. To varying degrees, those that have peroxide can whiten teeth and eliminate stains.
If you keep using whitening toothpaste, you might be able to extend these effects. However, some people are sensitive to the chemicals and discover that their gums or teeth become unpleasant with continued use. A lot of toothpaste with abrasives is likewise not intended for prolonged use.
Tooth enamel may become thinner with prolonged usage of whitening toothpaste. Try switching between whitening toothpaste and toothpaste made to strengthen and protect enamel if you intend to use whitening toothpaste on a long-term basis.
- Whitening mouthwash
Before a whitening mouthwash starts to work, it could take up to three months.
In most cases, hydrogen peroxide is found in whitening mouthwashes. In order to assist in erasing minor surface stains, you might use a whitening mouthwash every day.
The most effective option may be to use whitening mouthwash to prolong the effects of other treatments like in-office whitening or whitening strips. It does not have strong or protracted effects when used alone.
- Whitening strips
The number of uses required before you see results varies amongst whitening strips. Some strips may have superior benefits that last for up to six months.
One of the best over-the-counter methods for at-home teeth whitening is whitening strips. Some brands are more user-friendly and profitable than others. Some people use LED accelerator lights to remove stains more effectively.
Peroxide is used in whitening strips to bleach teeth and get rid of stains. They could be painful or damaging to teeth if used improperly or too frequently.
High-quality brands of teeth-whitening strips effectively remove both extrinsic and mild intrinsic stains by bleaching teeth to make them whiter in color.
- Whitening pens
It can take 2 days to 1 week for whitening pens to work. In most cases, they only produce minimal and transient results.
In order to remove spot stains, whitening pens are portable, compact plastic tubes filled with whitening gel. After using the gel, you have roughly an hour before you can eat, drink, or brush your teeth because the gel is readily washed away.
- At-home whitening gel trays
A whitening gel tray should start working in about a week, and the best results should appear in 2 to 4 weeks. Depending on the concentration of peroxide used and the duration of time-worn, you may notice varying degrees of whitening.
Dentist-supervised at-home whitening gel tray use should result in benefits that last for at least a year when combined with excellent oral hygiene.
Your dentist can create a customized tray for your mouth that you can fill at home with whitening gel. A dentist’s tooth whitener is more potent than the one found in over-the-counter alternatives.
Your dentist will oversee this procedure and advise you on how frequently and for how long you should use it. You might occasionally need to wear the tray overnight or for several hours each day for a week or longer.
- Chairside bleaching (in-office tooth whitening)
The benefits of a chairside (or in-office) treatment should endure for one to three years if you practice appropriate oral hygiene.
The dental office is where this procedure is carried out. The specific number of visits is just one.
Strong bleaching agents, such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide at a high concentration, are used in this process. You can also apply heat or light to speed up the bleaching agent even further.
Take Care of Your Teeth
How long does teeth whitening last? It depends on how you maintain your dental health. Before whitening therapy, the majority of dentists will carefully clean your teeth. Following that, it will be up to you to keep up with your oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth twice daily, preferably with toothpaste that will lighten them. You should give up smoking and chewing tobacco to obtain the most benefit from your teeth whitening procedures.
Diet After Teeth Whitening
If you frequently eat items that can discolor your teeth, you may want to limit your intake of them or completely avoid them. The following are some things you may want to restrict:
- Tea, coffee, tomato juice, red wine
- Acidic beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol
- Sugary foods
- Items with artificial coloring
Your teeth can become stained by foods that would permanently tannish a white T-shirt. A teeth whitening treatment may also make your teeth more sensitive. You might want to avoid eating anything hot or cold for a few days after getting your teeth whitened.
