Teeth whitening is among the most commonly requested cosmetic dental treatments. It’s difficult to avoid stained teeth since they have so many different causes, from coffee and red wine to medications and aging. Luckily, teeth whitening has proven effective for most types of discoloration, allowing you to rejuvenate your smile and restore your self-confidence. But how long does teeth whitening last? Read on to find out.
Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
If you’re interested in teeth whitening, please ask Dr. Roisman about the treatments we recommend. Over the years, various whitening products have come and gone from the market, including in office treatments, as well as take home treatments, over the counter treatments, and even whitening toothpastes. Dr. Roisman is very familiar with all of these products and will help you navigate the marketplace, and let you know which treatment we think will work best for you; taking into account efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as comfort and “best bang for the buck”.
How Long Teeth Whitening Lasts
To answer the question up top—how long does teeth whitening last? Well, it will last until your teeth get stained again. This might sound a bit glib, but it’s key to understanding how to maintain your results. Think of your newly whitened teeth as a blank slate. If you were to give up every habit, food, and drink that has the potential to stain your teeth, they’ll remain white indefinitely.
This, of course, is not reality! You’re probably not going to give up coffee or red wine, and that’s okay—we’d never expect you to. That said, if you grab a trenta from Starbucks on your way home from your whitening appointment, your results aren’t likely to last very long.
Patients who cut down on the habits that caused their stains, practice good oral hygiene habits, and visit our office every six months to have their teeth cleaned can maintain their results for as long as three years.
How to Make Teeth Whitening Last Longer
Here are some additional tips that will help your teeth whitening results last longer:
- Cut down on coffee, tea, red wine, and foods and beverages that cause discoloration.
- When you partake in foods and beverages that stain, rinse your mouth with water after you finish.
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day.
- Brighten your smile between appointments with an at-home teeth whitening kit when you notice stains beginning to form again.
- Visit us regularly for comprehensive oral evaluations and dental cleanings, which remove plaque and tartar for a more radiant smile.
- If you smoke, quit.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening
If you’d like to learn more about our teeth whitening options, contact us today at 203-227-6338 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Roisman.