ForĀ thoseĀ whoĀ wouldĀ likeĀ toĀ brightenĀ theirĀ smileĀ withoutĀ seeingĀ theĀ dentist,Ā at home teethĀ whiteningĀ isĀ aĀ popularĀ choice. AĀ rangeĀ of hometeeth whitening solutions,Ā suchĀ asĀ whiteningĀ pens,Ā gels,Ā andĀ strips,Ā areĀ availableĀ forĀ useĀ atĀ home. TheĀ typeĀ ofĀ productĀ youĀ use,Ā howĀ oftenĀ youĀ useĀ it,Ā andĀ yourĀ particularĀ dentalĀ healthĀ areĀ someĀ ofĀ theĀ variablesĀ thatĀ willĀ affectĀ howĀ longĀ yourĀ at-homeĀ teethĀ whiteningĀ benefitsĀ last. ButĀ generallyĀ speaking,Ā withĀ theĀ rightĀ maintenance,Ā yourĀ teethĀ shouldĀ remainĀ whiterĀ forĀ aĀ fewĀ monthsĀ toĀ upĀ toĀ twoĀ years.
However, since you are not alone, you don’t have to be. About 40% of adult Americans have yellow teeth, and many use home teeth whitening procedures to make their smiles more radiant. Having white teeth, after all, might make you feel more confident and at ease in social settings.
Factors Affecting the Duration of Teeth Whitening
You’re not the only one who has ever questioned how long your results will endure. In our dental office, I get asked this question all the time. Although I wish I could provide you with a definitive response, there are a few things that can affect how long your whites will remain brilliant.
External versus Internal Stains
Remember that it matters what kind and how much of a discoloration or stain you have on your teeth. Two categories of dental stains exist:
- Internal or intrinsic stains occur on the inside of teeth and are frequently brought on by specific drugs (like tetracycline) or trauma (like a knocked-out tooth that isn’t restored).
These stains are more challenging to cure because they are internal to the teeth, necessitating professional teeth whitening. - On the other hand, externalĀ stains form on the tooth’s surface. These kinds of stains are typically brought on by routines like drinking coffee, tea, or red wine; smoking cigarettes, or consuming a lot of foods that are highly colored, such as dark chocolate, soy sauce, or turmeric. Extrinsic stains are simpler to remove from teeth because they are located on their surface.
1. The Kind of home Teeth Whitening Procedure You Employ
With touch-ups as needed, your results from an at-home teeth-whitening kit should last for roughly four to six months. On the other hand, if you decide to have your teeth professionally whitened at the dentist’s office, the effects might last a year or longer with good maintenance.
2. What Kind of Food and Drink You Eat and DrinkĀ
If you like to regularly sip on dark-colored beverages like red wine, coffee, or tea, your teeth will probably start to yellow again sooner than those of someone who doesn’t. The same holds true with highly colored or acidic meals, such as tomato sauce or berries.
If you want the effects of home teeth whitening to last, you should be aware of how frequently you consume certain foods, even if it’s evident that you can’t avoid them entirely (and we wouldn’t want you to!).
3. Your Teeth’s Natural Color
Unbelievably, the duration of benefits might also be influenced by the natural shade of your teeth.
Because they have more discoloration to begin with, people with more yellow-colored teeth will likely experience the biggest transformation after having their teeth professionally whitened. On the other hand, those who have naturally whiter teeth could need fewer touch-ups.
4. your age factor
Regretfully, as we age, our teeth typically become more discolored. This occurs as a result of the enamel, or outermost covering of our teeth, beginning to erode and reveal the dentin, which has a yellowish hue beneath.
You should anticipate that the effects of teeth whitening will wear off faster if you are older than thirty.
5. How Properly You Maintain Your Teeth Following Whitening
Maintaining the appearance of your smile as well as your general dental health depends on practicing proper oral hygiene.
Do you use tobacco products or smoke? Because smoking can cause teeth to yellow sooner, you might need to have your teeth professionally whitened more frequently to preserve results.
Additionally, your dentist may constantly remind you of this timeless advice: to maintain your smile shining and brilliant, make sure to brush twice a day, floss frequently, and use mouthwash without alcohol!
Home Teeth Whitening Tip:
I suggest obtaining at-home touch-ups every six months to a year at Blyss Dental. This will maintain the greatest possible appearance for your smile!
Methods for home Teeth Whitening
The main factor influencing how long your teeth stay white is the kind of teeth-whitening procedure you choose. The following list of popular teeth-whitening techniques together with their usual durations:
There are numerous justifications for considering home teeth whitening. Perhaps you want to look your best on your wedding day because you are getting married. Alternatively, perhaps you just think your teeth could need a little TLC. For whatever cause, homeĀ teeth whitening can be done in a variety of methods.
The main factor influencing how long your teeth stay white is the kind of home teeth whiteningĀ procedure you choose.
Here’s a summary of the various home teeth whitening techniques and how long they usually last.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
It has never been simpler or more economical to get whiter teeth than it is right now.
At-home treatments are still a popular choice for treating superficial-level teeth stains, even if they might not last as long as a professional home teeth whitening procedure.
1. DIY SolutionsĀ
Some people like using homemade treatments over store-bought or prescription medications. They are also frequently less expensive and more natural. Most likely, you’ve seen videos all over TikTok and YouTube showing individuals whitening their teeth with baking soda or swishing natural oils.
toothbrush set over a glass of water next to a baking soda container
You should be aware of baking soda’s one of best home teeth whitening tip have abrasive properties, which could harm your tooth enamel, even if it can be useful at eliminating stains from your teeth and brightening your smile.
However, the truth is that abrasive chemicals like baking soda are not meant to be rubbed on teeth. Although it might work in certain situations, its abrasive qualities can potentially erode tooth enamel and cause other dental issues.
It’s possible that swishing with sesame, avocado, or coconut oil won’t significantly whiten teeth. But because of their inherent antibacterial properties, your teeth appear naturally whiter because your gums are healthier and more attractive.
2. Nonprescription Whitening Agents for home teeth whitening
Generally speaking, these products have lower bleaching agent concentrations than home teeth whitening procedures performed by professionals. They might therefore take longer to show results.
The bleaching chemical in over-the-counterĀ home tooth whitening solutions is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
According to studies, hydrogen peroxide whitens teeth more effectively than carbamide peroxide. If not handled correctly, it can also do further harm to your gums and teeth.
Depending on the product, results can differ, but they often wear off within a few months.
a. toothpaste for whitening
Mild chemicals and abrasives are used in whitening toothpaste to get rid of superficial spots on teeth.
As the chemicals react with the stain molecules to break them down, the abrasives remove spots like sandpaper. This indicates that unlike bleaching solutions, it doesn’t genuinely alter the color of your teeth.
Although whitening toothpaste can temporarily make your teeth appear whiter, its continued efficacy is still debatable. Teeth surface stains can be eliminated with whitening toothpaste, according to studies. They don’t, however, do anything to lighten or alter the true color of your teeth.
Although whitening toothpaste doesn’t act like a miracle, it can momentarily brighten your teeth. Be sure to make an appointment at Blyss Dental if you want results that last.
b. Rinses for teeth Whitening
Hydrogen peroxide, an ingredient in teeth-whitening rinses, aids in the removal and liquification of stains. You usually have to rinse your mouth twice a day after using whitening rinses.
However, because of how they are applied and how long they stay in touch with the teeth, whitening rinses may not significantly whiten teeth, per a study on their effectiveness.
Many people feel that their teeth are brighter after using whitening rinses, even though studies have revealed that they may not be as successful as previously believed. This is because, in contrast to toothpaste, whitening rinses are able to infiltrate below the surface and truly reach deep into those discolored places.
c. Strips for teeth Whitening
Thin, flexible plastic strips coated in hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are known as whitening strips. The bleaching substances can enter your teeth when you apply the strips.
Professional-grade whitening strips can contain up to 10% hydrogen peroxide, whilst the majority of over-the-counter whitening strips contain between 3% and 6%. Using the latter will definitely yield better results than using the former.
Most people perceive a considerable difference after two or three months, according to Gennaro Cataldo, a general dentistry professor at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
The results are transient, and according on your diet and oral hygiene practices, they may last a few weeks to many months.
The ADA approved Crest 3D White Whitestrips in 2017 because they were safe and produced results that looked natural.
Its effectiveness has led to a rise in popularity on social media, where users are posting videos of their before and after outcomes.
d. Pens for Whitening
Using a brush tip applicator, a peroxide-based gel is directly administered to the teeth in teeth whitening pens.
Pens are portable and simple to use, making them ideal for on-the-go touch-ups. However, bear in mind that it works best as a temporary remedy rather than the ideal whitening option, which is professional teeth whitening.
The effects are transient, and it is not a viable choice for long-term outcomes.
e. Homemade Whitening Tray Sets
Teeth whitening gel and either prefabricated or custom trays are included in these kits. These can normally be purchased online, though your neighborhood pharmacy might also carry them.
After inserting the gel into the tray, you apply it to your teeth for 20 to 60 minutes at a time, based on the manual’s instructions.
Compared to professional whitening gels used in dental clinics, the concentration of this gel is far lower. This translates to slower-acting, lower-level whitening outcomes.
Depending on the individual, different times are required to see benefits. After using the product consistently for two or three weeks, you should usually see an improvement.
Teeth whitening kits, like the Smile Direct Club Teeth Whitening Kit, are becoming more and more popular as an efficient, quick, economical, and practical teeth whitening treatment since they promise to make teeth up to nine shades whiter in just one week.
Teeth Whitening Advice: Consult your dentist and determine if any over-the-counter teeth whitening products bear the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance before using them. This indicates that the ADA has assessed the product’s efficacy and safety.