So how long does teeth whitening last? Is it three months? Six Months? A Couple of Years? If you’re looking for an absolute number, it can last up to two years or as little as three months. Okay, so that probably isn’t a very helpful answer but the reason for the considerable time swing is that it’s impossible to say for sure.
Why? Because each case is different, numerous factors dictate how long your sparkling new smile will last after a teeth whitening treatment. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Dietary intake
One key factor that may lessen or preserve a whiter, brighter smile is the type of food and drink you consume. A white smile won’t last as long if you’re prone to coffee, the odd glass of red wine, or heavily pigmented foods. Alternatively, if you drink only water and stick to a ‘white diet,’ e.g., chicken, fish, rice, yogurt, etc., then there are claims that teeth whitening treatment can last longer. While this makes sense, this has not been substantiated in clinical testing.
That said, it stands to reason that if you limit the contact of heavily pigmented foods or beverages on the teeth, your teeth will likely stay whiter for longer.
Treatment type
Another factor that may affect the answer to the question ‘how long does teeth whitening last?‘ is the treatment type. Opting for professional teeth whitening treatment from a dental clinic may last longer than over-the-counter products.
Why? Because dentists have access to stronger and more effective whitening agents than you would be able to buy over-the-counter.
Of course, that isn’t to say that whitening will last longer in your case, as other factors can sway results. Factors like:
Natural tooth colour
Unfortunately, not everyone is born with gleaming white teeth. So when a dentist looks to whiten a patient’s teeth, it isn’t always a level playing field. So how long does teeth whitening last if your teeth are naturally whiter in the first instance?
In all honesty, if you avoid stain-inducing foods where possible, the process is likely to last longer than in patients with teeth that are naturally more yellow.
Medications
Did you know that certain medications cause teeth discolouration? Particularly antibiotics such as doxycycline or tetracycline, allergy-relieving antihistamines, anti-psychotic drugs like Olanzapine, and even certain dental mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). If you take or use any of these products, then be aware that they may impact the longevity of your teeth whitening treatment.
Oral routine
If you have a good oral care routine and brush your teeth after every meal, the teeth whitening process may be preserved. Alternatively, someone who brushes their teeth intermittently may find that their teeth whitening won’t last as long as they had initially hoped.
How long does teeth whitening last – the key takeaway
Teeth whitening is not a permanent process, and results will eventually fade in all cases. But to make matters even more complicated, results from teeth whitening treatment will also vary from patient to patient and case to case.
So, it’s impossible to pinpoint how long teeth whitening will last after treatment. This is why you get the standard answer of three months to two years when you do a Google search.
So what can you do to make your teeth whitening treatment last long?
If you partake in stain-inducing foods or beverages, try brushing your teeth immediately afterwards. In addition, drinks like coke should be drunk through a straw to avoid contact with the teeth. Finally, use top-up whitening treatments when teeth look a little tired.
If you want to whiten your teeth professionally, give the team at My Local Dentists a shout. We use only proven methods that work, so call today at a clinic near you.
References
Animated Teeth.com – Is Maintaining a White Diet Important?
https://www.animated-teeth.com/teeth_whitening/blog-whitening-treatments-avoid-chromogenic-agents.htm
Colgate.com – Medicines That Stain Your Teeth
https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/teeth-whitening/medicines-that-stain-your-teeth
NCBI – A Case of Teeth Discoloration Upon Transition From Zyprexa to Generic Olanzapine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865836