Back in the caveman days, no one used to care what their teeth looked like… least of all how white they were. My, how things have changed!
Teeth whitening is all the rage these days. And it’s more needed than ever because our modern lifestyle (including the foods we eat) can stain our teeth so they lose the bright white smiles we had as kids.
So if you want to keep your teeth clean, attractive and bright, shiny white you’ve got to get them whitened every now and then.
Why?
Well, people whiten their teeth for all sorts of reasons…
Why You Need To Whiten Your Teeth
- So your smile looks great! When preparing for a wedding, birthday, graduation, that big job interview or just day-to-day living, teeth whitening can give you a winning smile.
- It helps offset the effects of teeth discoloration due to aging.
- It makes your teeth look whiter and healthier.
- It can boost self-confidence… if you are going for an interview, a big date or whatever teeth whitening can help to boost your self-esteem and confidence.
How Long Do Teeth Whitening Last?
How long the teeth whitening results will last depends on what method you chose. It also depends on how well you take care of your teeth after whitening.
With that said, let’s look at some common teeth whitening options and see how long they last.
Common Teeth Whitening Options
Whitening strips
Whitening strips are a highly popular option these days. And they’re easy to get at your local store or online. They are effective alright, but may not give long lasting results. Usually the effects of teeth whitening strips will last for about 4-6 months.
Trays and Gels
Another good over-the-counter option, whitening trays and gels are effective but it takes longer for them to get you the desired results. Exactly how fast the trays and gels work is determined by how strong the peroxide in it is. They are worn overnight and could take up to 3 weeks before you see results. Once you get those results, you can expect results to last for 4-5 months.
Toothpaste
It seems almost every toothpaste these days offers “teeth whitening” as a benefit. They mostly try to achieve this by using a mild abrasive that removes the stain from the teeth. Some of the toothpastes have polishing agents and chemicals that make them more effective against stains compared to the regular toothpaste.
How well they work is up for debate. And how long they last depends on how long you use the toothpaste. If you find one that works and use it on a regular basis, the results can last for a long time.
New teeth whitening products
In recent years, manufacturers have infused teeth whitening products into chewing gums, mouthwashes, and dental floss. Unfortunately, all these products are new so researchers are yet to find out whether they are effective in teeth whitening or not. And if they do work, we don’t know how long those results last for.
Professional In-office Bleaching
This is a quick procedure that’s performed in a dental office. It usually takes about an hour or so. And while it’s more expensive than the other methods above, it gives you instant results.
It also gives you the longest lasting results. Assuming you take decent care of your teeth after a professional whitening treatment, the results can last for 2- 3 years.
DIY Options
There are plenty of other undocumented whitening methods and homemade products which are believed to whiten teeth. If such products are carefully used, they can may be able to give you the desired results. However, you don’t need to go there.
Better to stick with the proven methods. So get to your dentist and let them recommend to you the right teeth whitening treatment. And for at-home teeth whitening products, look for the American Dental Association seal on the packaging.