You are here looking for the no BS answer to the question: How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
How long does teeth whitening last is a top sought query in the dental realm.
As the name gives it up, teeth whitening is a typical and prevalent procedure in cosmetic dentistry that involves bleaching the teeth from the several existing shades to a lighter complexion.
A bright white and perfect smile is a confidence booster and aesthetic.
In addition, teeth whitening eradicates years of stain and discoloration from the teeth.
Unfortunately, our teeth’ brightness gradually dulls over time due to the foods and drinks we consume, poor dental hygiene and natural ageing, causing corrosion of the enamel.
The good news is that there are several proven and practical strategies to reverse your teeth’ dullness into their original bright white nature.
Regrettably, most of these methods, including DIY practices and recommendable professional dental procedures, have a time frame for their effectiveness.
This post unravels more on teeth bleaching and answers how long does teeth whitening last to help you make an informed decision.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Essentially, it depends on your preferred mode of teeth whitening. Different whitening processes have different spans of their effects.
In addition, your dental practices after the whitening process also play a critical role in determining the longevity of the whitening. All in all, no teeth whitening process lasts forever.
DIY methods have the shortest lifespan of a few months, while professional dental procedures can last between two to three years.
In addition, note that teeth whitening practices are ideal for minimizing stains and not repelling them.
Therefore, with proper dental hygiene and cutting habits such as smoking, your teeth whitening procedures will likely last for an extensive time frame.
Also, it would be best to refrain from regular teeth whitening. This is because excessive teeth whitening can cause hypersensitivity and cause your teeth to be pellucid.
Moreover, teeth bleaching can be uncomfortable for individuals with sensitive teeth, and therefore they should seek dental advice before undergoing the procedure.
Here is a comprehensive guide on the various teeth whitening methods and their longevity.
- Whitening Toothpaste: Brushing two times regularly will help you whiten your teeth, and the result lasts for 3 to 4 months. You can continue the practice to keep your teeth white for a longer period.
- Whitening Mouth Wash: It suitably increases the effect of other whitening methods if used along with them. However, being used alone, whitening mouthwash does not have a dramatic and long-term whitening.
- At-Home Whitening Gel Trays: The noticeable whitening depends on the quality of peroxide and the time you wear the trays. Maintaining proper hygiene and dental care can make the results last for one year or longer.
- Whitening Pens: The results of a whitening pen do not last long. They have minimal longevity and are not considered effective.
- In-Office Tooth Whitening: With proper dental care and hygiene, this method can give outcomes that last up to 1 to 3 years.
Learn more from a similar post: How Often Should You Whiten Your Teeth?
Negative Effects Of Teeth Whitening
Long-term use of teeth whitening methods can cause negative impacts on your dental health. These impacts can be short-term or long-term. You might notice:
- Inflammation in Gums: At-home whitening gel trays and in-office whitening can cause gum irritation and inflammation. It is advised to cover the gums before the process to avoid such harmful effects. However, inflammation occurs for a short period and goes away.
- Irritation in the esophagus: In case whitening product goes into your esophagus along with saliva, then it may irritate and ache in the stomach.
- Enamel Erosion: Concentrated bleaching products used in whitening processes can cause enamel erosion and exposed dentil. This can cause tooth sensitivity.
Why Do Teeth Get Discolored and Stained?
Several factors can cause staining and discoloration of your teeth. Natural aging, teeth injuries and cracking, smoking or consumption of any other tobacco-based products, drinking coffee or other beverages which leave stains may cause discoloration of your teeth.
Some illnesses and chemicals used in medications such as tetracycline may result in discoloration of teeth.
For long-term results, you can opt for the following:
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking a lot of water. This keeps away the staining compounds from your enamel and helps you to have white teeth for a longer period.
- Rinse your mouth after you drink coffee or coke.
- Brushing your teeth regularly with whitening toothpaste helps you to maintain hygiene and white teeth.
- You can use home whitening remedies to keep yourself away from professional whitening.
Summary
How long does teeth whitening last? It totally depends on the method and procedure you are going for.
In-office treatment is best and lasts long. However, the results can be extended by regularly brushing your teeth at least twice a day and by taking proper care of your oral hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Getting Your Teeth Whitened At The Dentist?
A dentist performs professional teeth whitening with adequate precautions, and it is totally safe and fruitful. We all wish to have white teeth. Professional whitening worth your money as it is very effective and lasts longer.
Can Yellow Teeth Become White?
Professional whitening can remove the yellow stains from your teeth to give you a bright and sparkling smile. However, it should be noted at the outset that the internal stains are hard to clean up.
Is It Harmful Whitening Your Teeth Every Day?
Whitening your teeth regularly may have adverse and harmful effects on your teeth. Tooth sensitivity is common. However, these effects last for a smaller period. It is recommended to visit your dentist if you feel any irritation or sensitivity.
At What Age Is It Safe To Whiten?
You should not allow your children to use whitening products of toothpaste before getting 12 years old. At this time, they will have all permanent teeth. It is advised to consult your dentist before you start using whitening products or treatments.
