Are you considering getting a teeth whitening treatment? Or perhaps you’ve just had a whitening treatment done. Teeth whitening is a popular and common cosmetic dental procedure. It is one of the fastest, least invasive, more affordable options for improving the appearance of your smile. As people consider whether or not to whiten their teeth, a common question many people have is how long does teeth whitening treatment last?
There’s no definitive answer to this question, as there are many factors that affect how long your teeth whitening results will last. Here’s what you can expect when it comes to teeth whitening and longevity.
Average Time Length for Whitening Results
On average, teeth whitening lasts 1 to 2 years. Some patients may find that their results only last about 6 months, while others may find that their teeth stayed white for 3 years or more. It really depends on the following factors.
Factors That Affect How Long Teeth Whitening Lasts
There are many factors that have an impact on the length of time you can expect your teeth to stay white after a teeth whitening treatment, such as:
- Type of treatment. Professional teeth whitening treatments typically offer longer lasting results than over the counter whitening products. If you have a whitening treatment in your dentist’s office, your results will most likely last longer than if you used whitening strips or wands from the drug store.
- Your initial results. The more dramatic your results, the longer they will last. In other words, the whiter your teeth appear after the initial whitening treatment, the longer it will take for them to start looking dull or discolored again. Professional whitening treatments typically offer more dramatic results than over the counter whitening products.
- Touch ups. Most professional whitening treatments come with at-home touch up treatments you can do to keep your teeth looking white for longer. Without touch up treatment your results may not last as long.
- What you eat and drink. There are certain foods and beverages that are known to discolor teeth. If you drink coffee, tea, red wine, and dark soft drinks you may find that your teeth won’t stay white as long as they would if you avoided these beverages. Some teeth staining foods can also be a problem, like blueberries, blackberries, beets, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and anything with artificial food dye. Avoiding these foods and beverages can help your teeth stay whiter longer.
- Smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, or any other tobacco products you are likely to find that your teeth whitening results do not last as long. Chewing tobacco will have the same teeth discoloration effects. Touch up products may help to prevent teeth staining from these habits.
- Oral hygiene habits. Brushing your teeth twice a day can help your teeth whitening results last longer. Brushing immediately after consuming foods or beverages that stain your teeth can reduce their effects.
- The health of your teeth. The healthier your teeth are, the more likely your teeth whitening results will be more effective and will last longer. Healthy tooth enamel is solid and more stain resistant than teeth that are thinner and more porous.
- Visiting your dentist regularly. If you go to the dentist for regular cleanings every 6 months it will help your teeth whitening results last longer. Dental cleanings remove plaque which can stain the teeth and polishes the surface of your teeth so that they are smooth and shiny, which enhances your teeth whitening results.
Savannah Dental Solutions Provides the KöR Teeth Whitening System
When it comes to teeth whitening treatments, Savannah Dental Solutions recommends the KöR teeth whitening system. We provide this treatment to patients who are ideal candidates. We create your custom fit trays so that you can conveniently whiten your teeth at home while you sleep. The two week at-home treatment is then followed up with an in-office procedure to complete your treatment.
Call (912) 354-1366 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
