Blog Post

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Dr Alex Silman • Apr 25, 2020

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

When you watch a movie or TV, do you notice how white the actors’ teeth are? If your teeth look dull, yellow or dingy, you could try professional teeth whitening to brighten your smile. But the effects aren’t permanent. If you’re wondering how long does teeth whitening last, you should know that the effects vary.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

When our permanent teeth come in as children, they’re usually fairly white. However, they may not be as bright as the pearly whites that you see on toothpaste commercials.

Everyone has a natural level of brightness to their teeth. If you want your teeth to look as white as a sheet of paper, the results may look artificial. A professional whitening treatment from a dentist can help you achieve a brighter smile while retaining your natural appearance.

As you get older, your teeth become discolored. Yellowing and dullness can be attributed to:

• The foods that you eat – Foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, apples and potatoes can cause stains.

• Tobacco – Smoking or chewing tobacco can discolor your teeth.

• Inadequate dental hygiene – If you don’t brush or floss properly, your teeth may be discolored.

• Avoiding dental cleanings – Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar, which discolor your teeth.

• Medications – Certain medications and mouth rinses can discolor your teeth.

• Medical conditions – Diseases that influence your tooth enamel can cause spotting and staining.

• Age – Your enamel wears away as you grow older, making your teeth look yellow or brown.

• Damage – Trauma can discolor teeth in children and adults.

• Genetics – Some people have thicker or whiter enamel than others, giving them a brighter smile.

Some teeth stains are permanent. If you use tobacco or drink red wine regularly, stains can set in. This is especially true if you have poor dental hygiene. The longer you expose your teeth to stain-producing compounds, the more likely the stains are to be permanent.

Discolorations that are produced by tartar or medical conditions typically require dental treatment for removal. However, some stains can be removed with over-the-counter or professional whitening treatments.

What Type of Whitening Treatments Are Available?

The most common over-the-counter teeth whitening options are toothpastes, gels, strips and bleaching products. Teeth whitening toothpastes may have chemicals or polishing agents that remove surface stains. It may take several weeks to see results. Toothpaste probably won’t remove stains that are caused by medications or trauma.

If you use whitening toothpaste regularly, you should see a slight difference in the brightness of your smile. However, the stains will return if you continue the lifestyle habits that contribute to them, such as drinking coffee.

Gels and strips usually rely on peroxide to whiten teeth. You usually have to use these treatments regularly for two weeks. The results should last for about four months after you have finished the treatments.

With professional teeth whitening, the dentist uses products that are stronger than you can find over the counter. Dentists also ensure that the bleaching agents don’t harm the soft tissue in your mouth, such as your gums.

Results from professional dental whitening are immediate. After a treatment, which lasts about 30 to 90 minutes, you should notice that your teeth are whiter. If your pearly whites aren’t quite so pearly, though, you might need a few sessions to get the outcome that you desire.

When teeth whitening is done by a professional, you might be happy to hear that your smile should stay bright for up to a year. Your eating, lifestyle and dental hygiene habits contribute to the length of time that your teeth will remain white, though.

Laser Teeth Whitening

One of the benefits of having your teeth whitened at a dental office is that the professionals can use equipment that you probably don’t have at home. One option is laser teeth whitening. To perform this procedure, the dentist will cover your gums and lips. Then, they’ll coat your teeth with a peroxide gel. The dental professional uses a laser to activate the bleaching agent and whiten your teeth.

Some people aren’t interested in laser teeth whitening because it exposes you to infrared emissions. Zoom! teeth whitening is different. It relies on a different type of light, which cuts infrared emissions and limits the amount of heat that your mouth is exposed to. The Zoom! light reaches your whole mouth at once, which cuts down on treatment time.

Zoom! teeth whitening lightens your teeth up to eight shades. It produces more dramatic results than over-the-counter products.

How much does laser teeth whitening cost? That depends on the person and the level of treatment that they need. Zoom! treatments average approximately $500. The results should last for several months.

We also offer at-home dental whitening options. We will make a mold of your teeth and send it home with you, along with the appropriate bleaching agents and instructions. You can use at-home dental whitening kits to touch up discoloration between laser treatments.

The Way That You Take Care of Your Teeth Matters

How long does teeth whitening last? It depends on the way that you take care of your teeth. Most dentists will clean your teeth professionally before a whitening treatment. After that, it’s up to you to continue to maintain your dental hygiene.

Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably with a whitening toothpaste. To get the most out of your teeth whitening treatments, you should also quit smoking or chewing tobacco.

What to Eat After Teeth Whitening

If you regularly consume foods that are prone to staining teeth, you might want to avoid them or eat them in moderation. The items that you might want to limit include:

• Tea, coffee, tomato juice, red wine

• Acidic beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol

• Sugary foods

• Items with artificial coloring

If a food would permanently stain a white T-shirt, it can stain your teeth.

Moreover, your teeth may be sensitive following a teeth whitening treatment. You might want to avoid hot and cold foods for a few days after you’ve had your teeth whitened.

We’re here to help you maintain a more confident smile. If you’re interested in having your teeth professionally whitened, contact us for a consultation.