The build-up of plaque and tartar, which is mostly due to the lack of regular dental cleanings, can cause discoloration on your teeth. Age, trauma, various medical conditions, and genetics are also factors that affect the colour of your teeth.
Fortunately, you can always get professional teeth whitening treatment to whiten your teeth, brighten your smile, and boost your self-confidence. If you’re wondering how long the results can last, it may vary per patient and on the type of whitening procedure you choose. How are the results achieved? There are actually several methods for getting whiter teeth, both at the dentist’s office and in the comforts of your own home.
Brown stains on your teeth may be caused by a host of factors, some which can be taken care of, and some which we have no control over. Here’s a list of the most common culprits behind those pesky stains:
Food & Drink: Beverages like coffee and tea, sodas, red wine, and certain fruits and vegetables are known to cause staining and discoloration on teeth.
Tobacco: Both smoking and chewing tobacco are top culprits of teeth staining. Tobacco can even cause staining on dental works like fillings and crowns.
Oral Care: Inadequate brushing or flossing, and a general lack of proper dental hygiene leads to tooth discoloration.
Trauma or Disease: Trauma, illness, or disease sometimes affects enamel development in children and adults alike, and can cause discoloured teeth. Certain treatments to ailments like chemotherapy and radiation, for example, can also negatively affect the whitening of teeth.
Medications: Treatments like chemotherapy and medications including high blood pressure medications, and certain antipsychotic prescription medications can cause staining to your teeth.
Age: As we age, our tooth enamel gets thinner, sometimes causing teeth to appear more yellowed.
Now, to address the frequently asked question; “how long does teeth whitening last?”
There are a number of options to whiten teeth, and the longevity of results varies from treatment to treatment.
On average, it typically lasts for three years, however, many people feel the need to brighten their smile within a year as they notice overall fading or discoloration. Others may notice a greater lasting effect from the teeth whitening procedure and may need fewer touch-ups.
Professional teeth whitening can last from anywhere between two to ten years. Keep in mind that the results will vary from person to person. For instance, if people neglect to take care of their whitened teeth and indulge in heavy-staining foods and drinks like coffee and cola, the effect fades in as little as a few weeks, while people who diligently take care of their pearly whites can see the results last for years (with touch-ups in between).
Your teeth whitening results may largely differ based on which form of whitening treatment you opted for. Here are the basic whitening procedures:
These can take several weeks to yield results and may only brighten teeth by one or two shades. The whitening effects might only last a few weeks to a few months depending on how diligent you are about reapplication and aftercare.
Take-home whitening kits purchased from a dentist will last a little longer and you can expect whiter teeth with the use of these kits. How teeth whitening with these bleaching kits works is by whitening teeth by two to three shades. Follow a proper aftercare dental routine and avoid smoking to let the results last for a few months.
In-office, professional treatments can give you long-lasting effects and the results can last anywhere from six months to three years depending on your daily habits. Occasional visits to the dental clinic for a touch-up in between teeth whitening treatments can enhance the brightness of your treatment. Depending on the type of procedure they offer, you may get the results you desire in just one visit.
The natural pigment of your teeth and staining are correlated. The colour of enamel you start with could have an effect on the teeth whitening results and the duration of your results.
The answer is quite simple; simple changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference in maintaining your dazzling bright smile for a long time to come!
Remember that teeth whitening is not permanent, and staining is inevitable. If you’re worried about how long does teeth whitening last, it might be a good idea to ditch the habits related to stained, yellow teeth. You can reduce the number of trips to your dentist by practicing good oral hygiene.
