Are you considering a teeth whitening treatment and wondering how long the effects of the procedure will last? Here, our Nanaimo dentists explain how long both in-office and at-home whitening treatments will last in addition to how each work.
What is teeth whitening?
As we grow older, our teeth become more prone to staining because of the substances and food that we consume. Our teeth's enamel naturally attracts particles of food and products like tobacco, wine, tea, coffee and berries.
Today, more people are choosing in-office and at-home teeth whitening procedures to reverse effects of stains and aging. Professional teeth whitening can help to improve your confidence in your smile.
Here, we explain more about how long your teeth whitening treatment may last and what you can do to help ensure that your teeth remain as white as they can for as long as they can after your 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 are expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
While in-office teeth whitening treatment has an immediate effect on your smile because o the high concentration of the bleaching agent in the gel used, it will not permanently whiten your teeth.
Because a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, 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.
After some time, you will need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. If your continually expose your teeth to food or drink that may cause them to stain, your newly whitened teeth will begin to colour again 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
By using a take-home whitening product from your dentist's office, you can help to freshen up the effects of a professional teeth whitening treatment and can do in the comfort of your own home.
Most patients will notice a difference in their smile within about 2 weeks of starting to use their at-home teeth whitening kit. The full result of the treatment will usually appear by the end of the treatment period and will tend to last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments that can be purchased from a pharmacy.
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, you should make sure that you attend routinely scheduled dental appointments as frequently as possible and that your st-home oral hygiene routine is diligently maintained.
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.