Everyone loves a bright, white smile, but most people dont have the brilliant teeth made popular by Hollywood.
At-home whitening products such as strips and gels, or dental office procedures, such as chairside bleaching, are some of the ways people brighten teeth and reduce surface stains.
No matter what type of tooth whitening process you use, it wont last forever. At-home products may give minimal-to-great results that last for a few months. Professional dental procedures may extend that time up to 2-3 years.
Read on to learn the effects of whitening procedures and products to consider. Well also let you know how long you can expect them to last and what you can do to prolong tooth whitening.
The length of time you can expect tooth whitening to last is based upon the type of whitener youre using. Your lifestyle habits also have an effect.
Tooth whitening treatments are designed to reduce stains, not repel them. If you have good oral habits and keep your teeth clean, at-home products and dental procedures will last longer.
Keep in mind that the degree and type of tooth discoloration or stain you have matters. There are two types of tooth stains:
Here are some of the most popular whitening treatments and how long they last.
If you use a whitening toothpaste twice daily, it may take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks before you see any results. Users say these results can last for up to 3 or 4 months.
Whitening toothpaste can be used every day or several times a week. They contain ingredients that polish or whiten teeth, such as:
Toothpastes that only contain abrasives tackle surface stains and cant change the internal color of teeth. Those that contain peroxide can whiten teeth and remove stains to varying degrees.
You may be able to prolong these effects if you continue to use whitening toothpaste. But some people are sensitive to the ingredients and find that their gums or teeth become uncomfortable with prolonged use. Many toothpastes containing abrasives are also not meant for long-term use.
Long-term use of whitening toothpaste may thin tooth enamel. If you plan to use whitening toothpaste long term, try alternating with a toothpaste designed to protect and strengthen enamel.
It may take up to 3 months before you see any effect from a whitening mouthwash.
Whitening mouthwashes usually contain hydrogen peroxide. You can use a whitening mouthwash daily, to help remove small degrees of surface staining.
Whitening mouthwash may be most effective when used to prolong the effect of other treatments, such as in-office whitening or whitening strips. When used alone, its effects are not dramatic, or long-lasting.
Whitening strips vary in the number of treatments needed before you see results. Some strips provide superior results, which can last for up to 6 months.
Whitening strips are one of the most effective over-the-counter treatments for whitening teeth at home. Some brands are easier to use and more effective than others. Some use LED accelerator lights to provide more intense stain removal.
Whitening strips use peroxide to bleach teeth and remove stains. When used incorrectly or too often, they may be uncomfortable or harmful to teeth.
When used correctly, high-quality brands of whitening strips can remove both extrinsic and mild intrinsic stains, by bleaching teeth to make them whiter in color.
Whitening pens take from 2 days up to a week. They provide minimal results that are usually not long-lasting.
Whitening pens are small, plastic tubes containing whitening gel that are transportable and used for spot stain removal. The gel washes away easily, so you cant eat, drink, or rinse your teeth for about an hour after application.
You should start seeing results from a whitening gel tray in about a week, with maximum results seen in 2 to 4 weeks time. The amount of whitening you see will vary based on the strength of the peroxide used and length of time worn.
When combined with proper oral hygiene, at-home, dentist-supervised whitening gel trays should give you long lasting results of a year or longer.
Your dentist can fit your mouth for a custom-made tray that you fill with gel whitener at home. The whitener supplied by your dentist is stronger than the type used in over-the-counter products.
Your dentist will supervise this treatment and guide you as to how long and how often you should use it. In some instances, you may need to keep the tray on your teeth for several hours or overnight daily, for a week or longer.
If you maintain good oral hygiene, a chairside (or in-office) procedure should provide long-lasting results for 1 to 3 years.
This procedure is done in your dentists office. It usually requires only one visit.
This procedure uses a strong bleaching agent, such as highly-concentrated hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Heat or light may also be used, to further accelerate the bleaching agent.
The active ingredients in tooth whiteners can cause sensitivity to occur in teeth and gums. This is typically not long lasting. Some people find that long-term use of any whitener with peroxide or abrasives is uncomfortable.
There is also the potential for more serious side effects, including:
Some users report tooth pain during or after whitening. If you experience pain, burning, or extreme sensitivity, call your dentist.
In some instances, the whitener may get into a cavity or cracked tooth, causing significant pain and a necessary dentist visit.
Teeth can become yellow or gray over time due to many factors:
Keeping teeth clean and flossed will not only help to prevent cavities and gingivitis but also help keep teeth their whitest.
What you eat and drink can stain your teeth, particularly if you dont brush regularly. Some common offenders are:
If you enjoy these regularly, make sure to brush, floss, and rinse often.
Chewing on sugar-free gum, parsley, or mint can also help clean your mouth by stimulating the flow of saliva.
There is a wide range of at-home and in-office tooth whitening products and procedures.
At-home treatments such as whitening toothpaste, rinses, and pens do not last very long, but may help to prolong the benefits of other, more effective whitening treatments.
White strips are the most effective over-the-counter whitening treatment you can use without a dentists supervision.
At-home gel trays that are customized to fit your mouth by your dentist and chairside whitening provide the longest-lasting whitening.
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How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last? Duration, Side Effects, and More - Healthline
