A white smile can really enhance your look and demeanor. Professional teeth whitening is among the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatments, as it can eliminate years of stains and discoloration in a brief time. One of the most frequently asked questions prior to treatment is, however, how long does professional teeth whitening last?
It varies based on the type of whitening treatment, oral hygiene practices, diet, and lifestyle. With proper care, teeth whitening can provide professional teeth whitening results for several months to a few years.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is as vital as getting a brighter smile when it comes to daily smiles. Knowing all about the whitening effects can help you maintain the best-looking teeth for longer.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment used to help whiten the natural color of teeth and remove stains.
Professional whitening treatments are usually more powerful whitening agents applied by a dental professional under their supervision. This means that the treatment will reach deeper stains without harming your gums and other tissues.
Teeth whitening may help reduce stains caused by:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Soft drinks
- Tobacco
- Certain foods
- Natural aging
But the whitening treatments can’t make your teeth white forever. Staining foods, drinks, and lifestyle choices can slowly make your teeth turn darker over time.
How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
Typical teeth whitening effectiveness usually lasts six months to two or three years, depending on post-whitening care. For some, the teeth will remain bright for a long period of time, and for others, they will become discolored faster.
Results can vary in length of time depending on:
- How often you drink coffee or tea
- Whether you smoke or use tobacco
- Your brushing and flossing habits
- Your natural tooth color
- The condition of your enamel
- Your diet
- Whether you receive occasional whitening touch-ups
Those who take great care of their teeth and refrain from consuming foods and drinks that can cause staining will experience longer-lasting whitening.
Why Teeth Become Stained Again
Your teeth are still subjected to things that can stain them even if they’re professionally whitened.
Micro-pores in your enamel can soak up the color of your food and drinks. These pigments can build up over time and, in time, can darken or make your teeth more yellow. Common culprits for new stains are coffee, black tea, red wine, cola, tomato-based sauces, berries, dark colored juices, and tobacco products.
Tooth appearance can also be impacted by natural ageing. Over time, the thinness of the enamel allows the yellow dentin below to show through. This means that, in general, professional whitening should be considered a long-term, not lasting, whitening option.
How to Make Teeth Whitening Last Longer
There are several simple steps that you can take to help you preserve your white.
Limit Dark-Colored Drinks
Most common teeth stains are caused by coffee, tea, and cola, as well as red wine. You don’t have to avoid these drinks altogether, but if you do, you won’t be negatively affected and will stay white.
Rinsing with drinking water after the application can also help to remove some of the pigments prior to their deposition.
Use a Straw When Appropriate
Drinking iced coffee, soda, or other highly colored drinks with a straw can decrease the amount of liquid that meets the front surfaces of the teeth.
This will not completely prevent staining but could help minimize exposure.
Avoid Tobacco
The use of cigarettes and other tobacco products is a quick way to cause yellow or brown stains on teeth.
You will not only have a whiter smile, but you will also be healthier when you don’t smoke.
Attend Regular Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings can help clean out plaque, tartar, and some surface stains that brushing can’t.
Regular dentist visits will also give your dental team the chance to look at your teeth and gums to find out if they are healthy.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Regular brushing and flossing will prevent the formation of plaque and will prevent staining.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a Fluoride Toothpaste, and floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Cleaning your teeth can help to maintain their whiter color.
Does Professional Whitening Last Longer Than At-Home Whitening?
Many over-the-counter toothpaste and strips for whitening teeth may not be as effective as professional whitening. Unless the whitening products are more potent than those found at home, whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and other home products may be of little use in removing mild surface staining.
Treatment by a professional can also be tailored to your teeth and how deeply stained they are. But whatever method you use to whiten your teeth, it’s important to keep the teeth white, which requires a well-cared-for lifestyle and oral care.
Can You Have Teeth Whitening Done Again?
Yes. Many individuals have partial whitening when they see that their teeth are not as white as they once were. Some people need to whiten their teeth more often than others.
Others might require a touch-up only once every few years; others may need it sooner. Avoid using bleaching products too often since excessive whitening can cause tooth sensitivity and/or gum irritation.
Your dentist might be able to make a recommendation on whether another whitening treatment is necessary based on the condition of your teeth and gums.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Every Tooth?
Generally, the best kind of tooth for professional whitening is natural tooth enamel. The whitening agents are not likely to affect dental restorations like bridges, fillings, veneers, and crowns as they do on a natural tooth.
For instance, if you are wearing a crown on a front tooth, the teeth colour match may be a problem if you whiten the rest of your front teeth. A dental professional will be able to examine your smile prior to treatment and inform you of what the outcomes might be.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth It?
Professional teeth whitening may be a good choice for those who want a visible difference in their appearance. The primary benefit is that it’s carried out by dental practitioners, which means that the power of the whitening treatment can be carefully controlled.
Professional whitening can be especially beneficial for those who have severe stains that haven’t been adequately treated by daily brushing or home whitening solutions. But with different colors and causes of discoloration, there will be different outcomes.
What Should You Do After Whitening?
The first day or two after whitening may be critical, as newly whitened teeth may be more susceptible to stains. Eat or drink less of foods and beverages that are heavily coloured during this period, such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and dark sauces.
Choosing light-colored foods, drinks, and plenty of water may assist you to maintain your new whiter smile. Be sure to follow your regular brushing and flossing routine, unless your dentist advises otherwise.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does professional teeth whitening last? Professional whitening could result in several months of visible improvements and even up to a couple of years.
However, the duration depends on your lifestyle, diet, oral hygiene, and how quickly your teeth start to stain.
Professional whitening isn’t a permanent solution, but with your help maintaining excellent oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco, reducing staining foods and drinks, and keeping up with regular cleanings, the results will last longer. To learn more about cosmetic teeth whitening and whether it will work for your teeth, visit Daily Smiles for a brighter smile.
