Your Okanagan Valley Invisalign® Provider
Are you researching teeth whitening treatment and wondering how long its effects will last? Our dentists in the Okanagan Valley explain both in-office and at-home whitening options and the factors that determine how white your smile will stay and for how long.
What is teeth whitening?
Our teeth become more susceptible to staining from food and other substances we consume as we age. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts food particles and products including wine, tea, tobacco, coffee and even berries, which are known to stain teeth.
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 boost your confidence in your smile.
Today, we'll explore how long the effects of teeth whitening might last and what you can do to ensure your teeth stay white for 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 know how long each is expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Though in-office teeth whitening has an immediate whitening effect on your smile due to a high-concentration bleaching gel, 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 candidates for the treatment.
However, after a time you’ll need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. 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.
If 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 you achieve a brighter smile - 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 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.