How long does teeth whitening actually last?

Thinking about having your teeth professionally whitened and wondering how long the effects will last? Join our Meteghan dentists as they explain in-office and at-home whitening options and the factors that determine how long your bright smile lasts.

What is teeth whitening?

Due to aging, our teeth can become more susceptible to staining and discolouration because of food, drinks, and other substances we consume. Our tooth enamel can be darkened or discoloured by food particles, tobacco, tea, wine, coffee, and even some fruits like berries.

Today, more people are choosing in-office and at-home teeth whitening procedures to reverse the effects of stains and aging. Professional teeth whitening can help to improve your confidence in your smile.

Today, we look at how long the effects of teeth whitening could last, and what you can do to help your teeth remain white as long as possible after treatment.

How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?

In-office teeth whitening and take-home whitening are both effective treatments for potentially brightening your smile, but keep in mind how long each is expected to last:

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Although in-office teeth whitening has an immediate whitening effect on your smile due to using professional-strength tooth whitening gel, it will not permanently whiten your teeth.

Since your dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it’s safe, reliable and non-invasive. Before proceeding with an in-office whitening treatment, our dentist screens patients to ensure their oral health is in line with the requirements of a candidate for the treatment.

However, after a time you’ll need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. Continuing to expose your teeth to foods or drinks that may cause them to stain means that the whiteness of your teeth will likely begin to fade after a few months.

If you avoid these foods, drinks and products following your treatment, you may only require a touchup after about a year.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

Using take-home teeth whitening products from your dentist’s office can help to 'refresh' the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments - and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.

Most patients can see a change in their smile about 10 to 14 days after starting to use their at-home teeth whitening kit. The full results usually appear by the end of the treatment period, and they tend to last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments purchased from the store.

The results from using at-home teeth whitening kits can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the treatment, its strength, how consistently you reapply the gel, and other factors.

Attending your regularly scheduled dental appointments and maintaining an excellent at-home oral health routine (including brushing and flossing daily) is an important part of maintaining your smile and overall oral health.

A number of factors can influence how white your teeth remain after a teeth whitening treatment. The degree of whiteness varies from person to person depending on:

• the condition of your teeth
• the level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
• the type and strength of whitening treatment used

If you are curious about your teeth whitening options and which ones might work for you, speak with your dentist. They will be able to help you find a treatment that works for your unique needs!

Are you wondering if teeth whitening is for you, how long your treatment may last and why you should consider in-office whitening? Our Meteghan dentists can examine your smile and recommend treatments. Contact us today.