In most cases, teeth whitening can last from six months up to two years. There's more chance of your teeth staying whiter for longer if you avoid smoking and staining food and drinks such as tea, coffee and beetroot.
Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
So how often should you whiten your teeth? Generally speaking, it's a good practice to return to your dentist for teeth whitening services roughly once per quarter, or once every three months. This is even if you haven't noticed a dramatic dulling of your smile yet.
When you have bleaching done, you always do the maintenance because you're never going to stop drinking tea, coffee, soda, or juice and eating the colored fruits and vegetables. All those things have pigments, and those pigments will be absorbed by teeth and it will get darker again.
Unfortunately, professional teeth whitening will not permanently get rid of teeth stains. Your teeth will start to go back to normal again, and follow up appointments for teeth whitening may be necessary.
Whether you choose to have your teeth whitened in-office, or opt for the take-home trays, professional teeth whitening is the best choice for permanently whiter teeth. The quick and lasting results combined with an increased comfortability make the higher cost completely worth it.
If teeth are overexposed to the hydrogen peroxide agent in whitening gel, the outer layers of enamel may begin to wear away, exposing the dentin and soft inner tissues. This results in lasting sensitivity and discoloration, as dentin is a naturally darker color than enamel.
Is There A Particular Time Of Day That's Best for Whitening Teeth? Out dentist in Clermont recommends using the whitening trays at night before you go to bed. This is because the teeth have pores, and when you apply a whitening gel to your teeth, those pores open very slightly.
What Does the Yellow Sign Indicate? Teeth whitening strips use peroxide to remove stains. So what happens is that the peroxide temporarily increases your enamel's porosity. This allows the peroxide to reach the discolored molecules in your teeth.
Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.
For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are typically performed no more than once per year. These treatments involve using powerful bleaching agents. Overdoing these treatments can lead to permanent damage being done to the enamel.
If you are using weaker tooth whitening products, then you can whiten your teeth no more than every 6 months. Exceeding these may result in damaging your tooth enamel through acid erosion, leading to tooth sensitivity and increased risk of cavities, as well as long-term age related staining.
When the enamel is eroded so badly, in its thinnest form your inner layer can be seen, dentin. Dentin has a natural yellow color. So, if your enamel is transparent enough to show your dentin, your teeth look yellow even if you brush them every day.
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
The potential side effects of teeth whitening include teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and ineffective results. However, most patients do not experience any notable side effects from professional teeth whitening, as the dentist can monitor the process and perform treatment in a way that minimizes risk.
In-Office Whitening
In-office bleaching provides the quickest way to whiten teeth. With in-office bleaching, the whitening product is applied directly to the teeth. These products can be used in combination with heat, a special light, or a laser. Results are seen in only one, 30- to 60-minute treatment.
We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.
Use a straw: Although it may seem weird to drink coffee or wine from a straw, it's a good way to reduce contact with the teeth and reduce staining.
Some people respond very well and teeth can get up to 3-4 shades lighter after just 5-7days of bleaching or up to 5 shades whiter with one ZOOM in office treatment. Others may not notice as much change. Your teeth will continue to lighten for a couple of days even after you stop a whitening session.
In some cases, whitening solutions can change the colour of your teeth up to nine or more shades. But in most cases the end results are from three to seven shades brighter. Keep in mind that teeth whitening doesn't last forever, so you will have to top up eventually after years more staining from your lifestyle.
Professional teeth whitening costs can vary, starting at around $250 for bleaching trays and getting as high as $650 for in-chair whitening procedures. If you're wondering “how much does in office teeth whitening cost?”, your best bet is to approach your dentist and get a pricing quote from there.
All of these whitening methods contain a variety of peroxide compounds, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). But what makes professional whitening cost a bit more is the difference in the active ingredients found in the whitening agent.