How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
If you’ve ever considered teeth whitening, you’ve probably asked: how long does teeth whitening last? With different teeth whitening treatment options available, in-office or home treatments, and more, the time that your whitening lasts can vary.
So, with those options available, how do you know which will work best and last the longest? The professionals at West Wind Dental always try to provide the best insight for our patients on professional teeth work. So, let’s further discuss how to get the best teeth whitening results for you!
In-Office Teeth Whitening Vs. Home Solutions
Most know that teeth whitening methods vary. From professional teeth whitening with a dentist to simple at-home teeth whitening using whitening strips, toothpaste, and more, there are different teeth whitening methods to try to get the best results. They also have different efficacies that determine how long teeth whitening lasts.
Professional teeth whitening treatment through cosmetic dentistry often guarantees the best results. In-office whitening services with West Wind Dental not only whiten your teeth, but do it safely. We put protective barriers on the gums to best protect your soft tissues from bleaching chemicals that are used in the process. This is why it’s often called ‘teeth bleaching.’
Chemical agents utilized for this cosmetic procedure include things like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in concentrations that you can’t get over the counter. These provide better penetration on the enamel, but also need to be handled by professionals to safely handle surface stains.
Whitening With Hydrogen Peroxide
Although hydrogen peroxide can technically be bought over the counter, the concentration of it is much higher when used by professionals. Over the counter peroxides are typically 3% concentration on the low end, up to 12% on the high end. By comparison, professional dentist gels that contain hydrogen peroxide can reach levels up to near mid-40 percentages. Because these bleaching agents are dangerous to use in the home without professional application, dentist offices sometimes offer them as a powerful whitening treatment option to remove surface stains.
Whitening With Hydrogen Peroxide
Carbamide peroxide whitening is almost identical to hydrogen peroxide, with professional concentrations reaching much higher levels than typical over-the-counter whitening gels. The difference is that carbamide peroxide is made with a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea. But, the function is the same, with the gels removing surface stains on the teeth over time with regular use. Just remember to be careful with any bleaching agent on your teeth and lean on professional whitening for the best results.
Pre- and Post-Teeth-Whitening Work
Extrinsic stains on teeth happen on the outer layer of your teeth at the tooth enamel. This happens for a variety of reasons, from food and drinks staining your teeth over time to poor dental hygiene.
You may not notice tooth staining until you see it compared to those who have gone through the process of whitening teeth. But, when put next to one another, the difference becomes more apparent.
The difference that in-office teeth whitening services can make is the difference between a normal or a brighter smile. Whether you’re frequently in front of a camera and looking to make a public impact or simply want to impress those in your day-to-day life, a professionally-applied whitening agent can make your smile really shine.
Teeth Whitening Options
When looking for whiter teeth, you have different options available to you. Although tooth discoloration is a reality that everyone faces over time, there are teeth whitening products and services available to fit your preferences or schedule.
Home Teeth Whitening Products
If you don’t have time to make appointments, over the counter items such as white strips may work to whiten your teeth, according to the American Dental Association. Full teeth whitening kits or even just whitening toothpaste can also provide a daily rebuttal against stains that accumulate over time. Although these methods often take some time for results to start showing, they are proven to improve the whiteness of your teeth over time when properly used.
You can also supplement such methods with products like mouthwash whitening rinses. These not only help to improve your oral health by continuing to fight against plaque buildup, but also provide yet another whitening solution. Some at home whitening kits even bundle everything together that you need for a brighter, healthier smile, making it easier to manage. At home whitening kits provide everything you need for testing the waters with brightening your smile, but whitening kits also set up the expectation for how your tooth sensitivity will handle whitening through professional treatments. No matter which teeth whitening options you use for stained or yellow teeth, make sure they are approved by the American Dental Association for safe use.
Professional Teeth Whitening Methods
However, the best teeth whitening method comes with visiting your dentist. As experts in teeth, your dentist’s office can help make the best recommendations and service versus just using over-the-counter products. And, compared to home whitening treatment options, getting teeth whitened professionally with a dentist often works much faster and lasts longer. Thanks to the materials and service that you pay for with a dentist, the process ensures you get whiter teeth in time for any important appointments or events where you really want your teeth to shine! Professional dental procedures always offer the safest, most effective way to take care of your teeth, and teeth whitening is no different.
Dental Office Teeth Whitening
So, how long does teeth whitening actually last? Good oral hygiene and general dental health will always help to keep newly whitened teeth shining bright. But, stains inevitably happen over time. But, if you get regular teeth whitening services done with a dental professional, it will typically last as long as 3 years!
Professional teeth whitening procedures with West Wind Dental offer a painless whitening process that is guaranteed to help your natural teeth achieve a brighter appearance. If you want to schedule cosmetic dentistry with us, reach out soon!
Dr. Andrew Hamilton, DDS, FAGD
Dr. Hamilton is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society (KVDDS), the American Academy of Implant dentistry (AAID), the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics (IAFA) and also attends courses with the Pikos Institute in Northwest Florida. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICIO), has achieved fellowship status in the International Dental Implant Association (IDIA) and in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), has graduated from and is an alumnus of the Kois Center program in Seattle, and is on the faculty of the Global Dental Implant Academy (GDIA).
The little spare time left over is spent Steelhead and Salmon fishing and the occasional round of golf.