Teeth whitening will make your pearly whites even whiter, giving you the confidence to smile wide and bright. But, for how long? How long do the results of teeth whitening last?
It Is Not Permanent
How long the results of teeth whitening last will vary from one person to the next and will depend on several factors. The results can last anywhere from a couple of months to up to several years. What is certain, however, is that teeth whitening result are not permanent. You will need to go back for touch-up treatment sooner or later.
How Soon?
Expecting your teeth whitening results to last forever is unrealistic. How soon it will be before you need touch-up treatments will depend on several factors, including the following:
1. The Type of Treatment
Professional teeth whitening generally lasts longer compared to the results of using over-the-counter products such as whitening strips, gum and toothpaste. The product quality and the techniques used in professional teeth whitening contribute significantly to the results lasting longer.
2. What You Eat and Drink
If you regularly consume a lot of dark-coloured foods and drinks, then be prepared to schedule teeth whitening treatments sooner. These types of foods and beverages will cause teeth discolouration and staining. To ensure your results last a little longer, you may want to limit your intake of drinks such as cola, tea and coffee. This is especially important right after your teeth whitening treatment.
3. Your Lifestyle Habits
How many cigarettes, on average, do you light up in a day? If you are an active smoker, then it shouldn't surprise you if the results of your teeth whitening do not last too long. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes will penetrate the pores on the surface of your teeth, causing yellow or brown stains. The staining is even more severe if you use chewing tobacco or snuff. Limiting or otherwise doing away with these lifestyle habits will make your whitening results last longer.
4. Your Daily Oral Hygiene Care
Following good oral hygiene practices will undoubtedly influence how long your teeth whitening results last. Ensure that you brush your teeth after every meal. You should be even more thorough after consuming the foods and drinks that cause staining. If you are unable to brush after a meal, make a point to rinse out your mouth with a lot of water. Ensure that you floss your teeth regularly.
For more information about this aspect of cosmetic dentistry, speak to a professional.
Share17 January 2019
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
