How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last? Tips To Maintain The Effective Whites
If you suffer from yellow teeth, don’t worry; you are not alone. Teeth whitening is the most common treatment when it comes to cosmetic dental procedures. When you have your desired teeth, achieving a brighter smile and healthy oral habits become more accessible.
Most people go with whitening toothpaste, but only some also go for hi-tech-in-chair whitening treatments, which may not be cost-effective but lasts longer and gives a better outcome.
However, no matter which one you choose, nothing will last forever. In-home will last up to a few months, and in-chair professional treatment by dentists in Summerville, SC, lasts 2-3 years if taken correctly.
But is that all? As we explore the different aspects of teeth whitening dental treatment, let’s find out in the following blog sections.
Primary Reasons For Teeth Discolouration
Two types of stains can cause discoloration. First, intrinsic or internal damage is caused by aging, trauma, or medication. This is extremely difficult to remove, and such colors take more treatment than everyday stains.
But with the proper treatment, they can be removed. Other colors are caused by extrinsic or external things such as food, cigarettes, smoke, and drinks. These stains are easy to take out and can be done in 1-2 sittings.
DIY Hacks To Maintain Effective Teeth Whitening At Your Home
The timeframe for teeth whitening to last depends upon the methods used to whiten the teeth. You can either do it at home or take professional help.
Here are some methods used at home:
a. Whitening toothpaste
This is the most accessible and affordable way to get your teeth whitened. Using it twice may give results in 2-4 weeks, usually lasting 3-4 months. They have ingredients such as carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and mild abrasives. To ensure the effects stay longer, you must continue using the toothpaste.
It is sometimes observed that many people are sensitive to abrasives, and their teeth and gums may suffer when used for a prolonged period. Long-term use may also thin the tooth enamel, thus resulting in weakness of the roots. You can ask the dentist in Summerville, SC, for more guidance.
b. Whitening mouthwash
This is a prolonged process, as it may take up to 3-4 months to show any results. However, it contains hydrogen peroxide that can help reduce surface stains when used regularly. Unfortunately, whitening mouthwash only offers a few changes when used alone, and the effect lasts only a short time.
However, when accompanied by in-office whitening treatments or strips, it can show dramatic and long-lasting change. Using mouthwash regularly is beneficial for oral hygiene; whitening mouthwash adds to the benefit.
c. Whitening Strips
Whitening strips depend on the company and the brands you are using. Sometimes, you may show significant results, such as the treatment lasting more than six months, and you may need another usage after two months. However, this is the most effective whitening treatment when it comes to doing it at home.
Whitening strips have peroxide, which contains bleach and help removes stains quickly; however, its harmful nature can cause gums or oral problems if used too often. If you still need to take your whitening strips, you should grab whitening strips compatible with braces in Summerville, SC.
d. Whitening pens
Next, we have whitening pens, the go-to counter solution for effective teeth cleaning. Whitening pens are tiny plastic tubes containing transportable gels that can be used anywhere, anytime, and focus on spot stain removal.
However, you can’t be using these pens anytime. This is for emergency use, and they don’t last for a more extended period. It may last up to 2 days or a one-week maximum.
e. Whitening gels
The results for whitening gels can be seen in one-week maximum, and the best results can be seen in two to three weeks. This is the most preferred among people to do it at home because it’s a more straightforward process. If this is combined with proper oral hygiene, people have also seen it last till a year which is great for in-house treatments.
You can take help from an orthodontist in Summerville, SC, that can help you supervise the tray you need to put in the gel, which the dentist will also provide. The whitener is more substantial than in-office gel, so the results are marvelous.
f. Chairside bleaching or in-office whitening
This procedure lasts 1-3 years as it is done professionally, and only a visit is more than enough. This procedure uses carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent. It accelerates the bleaching heat or light used.
However, while it might be an effective process, it is less suggested, primarily because of the ingredient used. Therefore, before you use this on your teeth, ensure that you’re under the supervision of professionals.
Now You Know!
There are many methods to whiten your teeth without any hassle quickly, and at-home techniques can be done daily to improve oral hygiene. However, whitening strips are the most effective without a dentist’s supervision.
