How Long Does Tooth Whitening Last?

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Looking for a bright new smile? Professional tooth whitening is the most effective technique to do this. Whether your teeth are yellow or discolored, professional teeth whitening is an easy and effective remedy.

Most people will develop stains and discoloration of the teeth over time. Teeth whitening near me is the most straightforward method for changing the appearance of your teeth while also providing you with a more youthful, brighter smile. Professional teeth whitening will not affect your teeth; it is both safe and effective. Your dental experts might recommend either in-office or at-home whitening products.

However, you may wish to know how long teeth whitening lasts. The answer is determined by the type of therapy chosen and your personal oral hygiene.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In only one visit to the dentist, you may have your teeth brilliantly white. A unique laser light activates bleaching substances applied directly to your teeth, providing speedy and appealing results. At our office, a bleaching chemical containing carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth, followed by the use of a laser light to improve the whitening agent's activity.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, which can provide ineffective results and potentially hurt your teeth, a professional take-home whitening kit from your dentist is a great choice. At our office, we will take an impression of your teeth to create a bespoke mouth guard that will keep carbide peroxide-containing whitening gel against the teeth. 

Once the mouth guard has been created, it is worn for the specified amount of time. Time can range from a few hours each day to all night, for up to four weeks or more, as desired. If you have small stains or discolouration, at-home whitening is an excellent option.

Take-home whitening kits can also be effective in maintaining the brilliant appearance of in-office whitening treatments.

Why Do Teeth Get Stained?

Teeth can be discolored for a variety of causes, including:

- Regular consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, some berries, citrus fruits, and carrots;
- Medications, such as tetracycline;
- Smoking;
- Overuse of fluoride in the shape of mottled white patches;
- Aging.

Whatever causes tooth discoloration, professional teeth whitening is a simple cure.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Stains

Keep in mind that the degree and kind of tooth discolouration or stain you have is important. 

There are two kinds of tooth stains:

- Intrinsic stains (internal) are those that form on the inner of teeth as a result of certain drugs (such as tetracycline) or trauma (such as a knocked-out tooth that has not been replaced). Because these stains are on the interior of the teeth, they are more difficult to cure and typically require professional teeth whitening;

- Extrinsic stains (external) grow on the teeth's surface. These stains are typically created by behaviors such as drinking coffee, tea, or red wine; smoking cigarettes; or consuming meals high in colorants such as turmeric, soy sauce, and dark chocolate. Extrinsic stains are easier to cure since they occur on the tooth's surface.

How Long Will Teeth Whitening Last?

Although teeth whitening is not a permanent procedure, it might persist for many years. In-office whitening procedures can last up to three years; professional at-home whitening treatments are less long-lasting, but produce far longer-term benefits than over-the-counter whitening treatments, toothpastes, and whitening strips.  

In short, while teeth whitening will not last forever, you can prolong its effect by practicing good dental hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and scheduling professional teeth cleanings with your dentist, as well as avoiding foods and beverages that can cause teeth staining.

How to Extend Your Teeth Whitening Results

Overall, the greatest strategies to prolong the appearance of your newly whitened teeth are:

- Professional dental cleaning every six months;

- Good dental hygiene at home - brushing and flossing twice a day;

- For a full week after whitening, avoid dark colored foods and beverages;

- Drinking dark liquids like red wine and tea with a straw whenever feasible;

- Follow-up or maintenance whitening as advised by your dentist. 

Remember that while teeth whitening procedures can lessen stains, they cannot remove them permanently. Professional dental operations will last longer if you maintain proper oral hygiene.