White teeth have become the epitome of perfect teeth. The best way to achieve the best smile possible is by brushing your teeth and keeping up with good oral care. However, some people want that extra push toward those pearly whites and opt for alternatives such as veneers or teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening is a great way to improve the look of your teeth aesthetically. However, it’s essential to know what you’re getting yourself into before you choose tooth whitening, including understanding how long it lasts.
This article will explain teeth whitening and whether it’s the right choice for you. We’ll also cover how long teeth whitening lasts to help you determine if it’s worth it.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
As the name suggests, teeth whitening, or bleaching, is the process of lightening the colour of your teeth to make them as white as possible. The colour of your natural tooth enamel is being changed in the process to give you the most appealing smile.
Various methods are used to do that, and the process depends mainly on your dentist. The most popular method, however, is to use a peroxide-based bleaching agent.
You can also bleach your teeth at home with an at-home kit, but there are pros and cons to choosing this.
Firstly, the whitening results might not be as effective as in a dentist’s office, as at-home kits have a lower concentration of peroxide bleach for safety reasons.
What’s more, the process is much faster at your dentist’s office because they have a much stronger bleaching agent and lights and other necessary equipment for teeth whitening.
That said, teeth whitening at home is a less expensive option that you can do at your convenience. Several products allow you to bleach your teeth at home, such as:
- Tooth whitening strips and gels
- Bleaching trays
- Tooth whitening toothpaste
Whether you want in-office teeth whitening or to do it at home is up to you; either way, you’ll have noticeably whiter teeth.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of teeth whitening.
The Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a purely aesthetic procedure, so the benefits of this procedure mainly surround enhancing the look of your teeth – which is the ultimate benefit of teeth whitening.
Whitening your teeth results in a brighter, whiter smile. As a result, there’s a domino effect that leads to other benefits.
When you have a nicer smile, your self-esteem goes up. Higher self-confidence and self-esteem will become apparent in several areas of your life, from your career to your relationships. This will, in return, also boost your mood.
Moreover, although teeth whitening is purely aesthetic, it may also encourage you to take better care of your teeth to maintain their brightness. As a result, your oral hygiene improves, and you may see fewer cavities and other dental problems in the future.
Finally, teeth whitening may make your teeth look more natural. Not everyone will need their teeth whitened to the same shade of white.
Some people can get away with brighter shades, while others require more subdued shades to ensure that their teeth continue to look natural while having a noticeably whiter appearance. This is one benefit of visiting your dentist to get teeth whitening done – they can colour match and help find the perfect shade for your teeth.
You now know what teeth whitening is as well as the benefits of it, but how long does teeth whitening last? Are long-lasting effects a benefit of teeth whitening? Let’s take a look.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
How long does teeth whitening last? The answer is: It depends.
Generally, teeth whitening done by a dental professional can last one to three years. However, this requires you to maintain your teeth’s health and take regular care of them.
Even the best professional teeth whitening treatment may only last six months if you don’t care for your teeth. This means you won’t get your full money’s worth and must be treated sooner rather than later to keep up the appearance.
The reason that teeth whitening treatment might not last is that staining may occur. Foods and substances that can easily stain your teeth include:
Cigarette and cannabis smoke
- Coffee
- Fruit juices
- Red wine
- Fruits and vegetables such as beets and berries
The best way to avoid staining from foods and prolong your teeth whitening results is to brush your teeth regularly and go in for teeth cleanings. Better yet, you can minimize the consumption of these foods altogether.
In contrast, at-home procedures last less time, lasting only a few months on average. However, the same factors still apply – you must care for your teeth to ensure they last as long as possible.
The Takeaway: Teeth Whitening Is a Commitment
To recap, teeth whitening treatment generally lasts from a few months to a few years, depending on whether you get a professional whitening or use an at-home whitening kit.
At You Make Me Smile, we offer two options for whitening your teeth: Zoom Whitening at our office and a take-home kit to do it yourself. Learn about both options here to discover which one is right for you.
