Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments because most people experience discoloration or stains on their teeth at some point in their lives. Because stains can be caused by everything from daily coffee habits to medications and even aging, it can be difficult to avoid them! The good news is that teeth whitening is an effective treatment for most discoloration. If you’re wondering how long teeth whitening lasts, read on to find out more.
Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
First, it’s important to understand the different teeth whitening treatments we offer. Our practice has two options when it comes to whitening: at-home treatments and in-office teeth bleaching.
Professional at-home teeth whitening kits are not the same as the ones that can be purchased over-the-counter and online. Ours come complete with custom-made whitening trays that fit securely onto your teeth for more effective whitening, along with a professional-grade whitening gel that yields superior results. At-home teeth whitening is suitable for mild to moderate stains and for patients who prefer to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own homes.
In-office teeth whitening treatments use a bleaching gel that is the strongest whitening option available and it produces the most dramatic results in the shortest amount of time.
How Long Teeth Whitening Lasts
The results of your teeth whitening will last until your teeth become stained again! This may sound glib, but it’s true—if you whiten your teeth and give up every food, beverage, and habit that has the potential to stain your teeth, they’ll remain white.
Of course, this isn’t practical for any of us, but it does illustrate an important point. If your stains were caused by smoking and you reach for a cigarette as soon as you leave our office, your teeth whitening won’t last very long. On the other hand, patients who have good oral hygiene habits, visit our office regularly to have their teeth cleaned, and cut down on the habits that caused their teeth to become stained, their brighter smiles can last as long as three years.
How to Make Teeth Whitening Last Longer
Here are some tips that will help your teeth whitening results last longer:
- Reduce your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and foods and beverages that cause stains.
- When you do partake in foods and beverages that stain, rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day.
- Brighten your smile between appointments with an at-home touch-up kit when you notice stains beginning to form.
- Visit your dentist regularly for comprehensive oral evaluations and dental cleanings, which remove plaque and tartar for a whiter smile.
- If you smoke, quit.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening
Are you considering teeth whitening treatments? Contact us today at +1-613-544-2224 to schedule an appointment for a consultation at our Kingston dental practice.