Your Richmond Hill Invisalign® Provider
If you are considering professional teeth whitening treatments, you probably want to know how long the effects will last. Today, our Richmond Hill dentists talk about at-home and in-office teeth whitening options and the factors that will determine how long the effects of your whitening treatment will last.
What is teeth whitening?
As get older, our teeth get more susceptible to stains as a result of the foods and other substances we consume. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts food particles, and products such as tobacco, tea, wine, coffee, and even berries are notorious for staining teeth.
Today, more people are choosing in-office and at-home teeth whitening procedures to reverse the effects of stains and aging. Professional teeth whitening could help improve the confidence you have in your smile.
Here, we explain how long the effects of professional teeth whitening could last, and how you can make sure your teeth stay white as long as possible following your treatment.
How long will the effects of teeth whitening last?
Depending on if you opt for in-office or at-home teeth whitening, you'll want to know how long each option is expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
While in-office teeth whitening offers an immediate whitening effect on your teeth as the result of a high concentration bleaching gel, it won't whiten your teeth permanently.
Because a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it’s safe, reliable, and non-invasive. Dentists screen teeth whitening patients to make sure their oral health won't preclude them from being eligible for this treatment.
But, after a while, you’ll have to come back for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. If you keep exposing your teeth to foods or drinks that could cause staining, the whiteness of your teeth will probably start 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 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 variety of factors could impact how white your teeth appear - and stay - following a teeth whitening treatment. The level of whiteness varies from patient to patient based on the:
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
- Condition of your teeth
If you want to know more about the teeth whitening options available to you talk to your dentist. You may also want to look up teeth whitening reviews online to learn about other patients’ experiences.