A bright smile has always been regarded as a symbol of beauty. Since ancient times, people have tried various remedies in order to whiten their teeth. These days, it is much easier and more efficient to achieve this goal.
There are various kinds of whitening treatments available today, including at-home and in-office procedures. DIY teeth whitening is usually more convenient and much cheaper than professional treatments. However, at-home whitening products may not produce as noticeable results as professional procedures. Furthermore, they are usually not very long-lasting.
Professional teeth whitening in Singapore, on the other hand, yield long-term outcomes. Their main drawback is that they tend to be quite costly. Which teeth whitening approach is right for you, and what kind of results can you expect?
In this article, we will discuss the longevity of various teeth whitening treatments. We will also give you some brighter on how to keep your teeth bright and stain-free for longer.
How long will teeth whitening results last?
The effects of your teeth whitening procedure can last up to two years or as little as five to six months. There are various factors that come into play when it comes to how long your teeth will stay brighter. However, the type of treatment you choose, as well as how well you care for your teeth after they have been whitened, usually have the greatest impact.
You may be interested in reading about the possible side effects of teeth whitening.
Factors that affect teeth whitening results
Here are some of the factors that can have a significant impact on the results of your teeth whitening treatment.
Degree and type of stains you have
In general, there are two kinds of tooth stains - internal (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic). Internal staining is most commonly caused by ageing or the use of certain medications. This type of discolouration is typically more difficult to remove. Furthermore, as you age, your teeth become more prone to staining, which may affect the outcome of your teeth whitening treatment. If you have intrinsic stains, then professional teeth whitening treatment can be your best bet.
Extrinsic stains are those stains caused by specific foods and beverages. This type of discolouration can usually be easily addressed with at-home whitening products. However, if you have severely stained teeth and want to achieve more noticeable and long-lasting results, you should consider in-office whitening treatment.
Type of teeth whitening treatment you choose
There are many choices available these days when it comes to teeth whitening. You can whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products such as whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, pens, gels, etc. You can also leave this job to a dental professional.
If you opt for an at-home teeth whitening kit, you should know that it typically necessitates a longer treatment time. You need to use it for at least several weeks in order to remove stains. Furthermore, products like whitening strips and gels are typically not capable of producing long-term results. In-office whitening procedures, on the other hand, can give you a more visible whitening effect in just one dentist visit. Also, if you maintain good oral hygiene, you may be able to preserve your brighter smile for years.
How well you look after your teeth
It is critical to take care of your teeth after a whitening treatment. This will ensure that your results last longer and promote better oral health. You must brush and floss your teeth regularly, as well as get professional dental cleanings two times a year. You may also want to use teeth-whitening toothpaste in order to maintain your brighter smile.
In addition to proper hygiene, you will need to adopt other lifestyle habits to preserve your results. If you use tobacco products, it might be best to stop. Smoking can quickly ruin your whitened smile and have a negative impact on your dental health. You should also try to limit your intake of coffee and red wine to reduce the possibility of staining your teeth soon after the bleaching treatment.
How long does professional teeth whitening last?
The results of professional whitening treatment may last anywhere between one year and three years. It is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce stains and improve the colour of natural teeth.
There are a few approaches that your dentist may use in order to whiten teeth. In some cases, people choose to get veneers in Singapore instead of whitening but this decision requires a thorough discussion with a cosmetic dentist. Feel free to visit our dental clinic in Geylang and Bedok if you'd like to discuss this or any other whitening treatment option to determine which one is best for you.
Related: Veneers or Teeth whitening - which one is better?
Laser teeth whitening
The effects of this professional teeth whitening treatment could last up to three years. The procedure involves the application of high concentrations of bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Then the dentist uses a laser device to heat up the whitening gel and break up stains and discolouration.
This is one of the quickest and most effective teeth whitening options. You will be in and out of the dentist's office in just one appointment and receive the whitening results you desire. However, you should keep in mind that the cost of laser teeth whitening is much higher than that of at-home treatments.
LED teeth whitening
This in-office treatment can also provide long-term results, typically lasting up to 2-3 years. The tooth whitening process is quite similar to laser teeth whitening. The dentist first applies a whitening agent to your teeth and then uses LED light to boost the effectiveness of the material.
The LED teeth whitening treatment is quick, very effective and long-lasting. The main drawback of this method is that it is expensive.
Custom teeth whitening trays
This treatment can produce results that last for up to a year. The teeth whitening trays are devices that are fitted and fabricated by a dental professional. Your dentist will get an impression of your teeth and provide you with custom whitening trays. They are usually made of tooth-coloured material and fit perfectly to your teeth.
The teeth whitening trays are reasonably priced in most cases, and they can last a long time when you take care of them. Another benefit of these items is that they are custom-made to fit your teeth. As a result, the bleaching agent is less likely to come into contact with your gums and cause sensitivity. One disadvantage of this whitening method is that it is less convenient because you cannot simply go to the store and purchase your trays. They need to be fit and fabricated by your dental provider.
How long does at-home teeth whitening last?
The results you achieve may last for approximately four or six months, depending on the product you used and how well you care for your teeth. At-home whitening kits are convenient and much cheaper compared to the whitening procedure at the dentist's office. However, you may need to use them for several weeks in order to achieve the desired shade.
Here are the various at-home teeth whitening products available on the market.
Teeth whitening toothpaste
Teeth whitening toothpaste can help you slightly brighten the colour of your permanent teeth. You can expect your smile to appear shinier for several months, usually 3 or 4. However, you should keep in mind that such products contain a very low concentration of whitening gels like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. That is why you may need to use the toothpaste for a long time before obtaining any results.
Teeth whitening strips
In most cases, the results of this whitening treatment last around 4-6 months. The teeth whitening strips are normally based on hydrogen peroxide which can help you to dissolve stains and achieve white teeth. However, since they are over-the-counter products, they contain less concentration of this bleaching agent. Hence, the strips might work for mild surface stains, but they might not be very effective for more severe discolouration.
Teeth whitening pens
This is a whitening product with the shortest-lasting effects. These small devices, which contain whitening gel, can instantly whiten your teeth. However, the effect is only temporary, and the gel washes away quickly.
Teeth whitening aftercare tips
Here are some tips on how to take care of your smile after having had your teeth whitened.
Dental hygiene tips
Proper dental hygiene is very important not only to maintain your smile whiter but also to keep your mouth healthy. Poor oral hygiene can lead to many problems including teeth stains, tooth decay, gum disease and so on.
Be sure to always keep your teeth clean by brushing and flossing them every day in the morning and evening. In addition, you shouldn't miss your regular cleanings by a dental hygienist.
Diet tips
You might be pretty good at brushing and flossing but if you love drinking coffee or red wine then you can quickly ruin the results of your whitening treatment. It is usually recommended to avoid foods and drinks that can stain teeth for at least 30 minutes after your whitening procedure. However, if you want longer-lasting outcomes, then it might be best to reduce their consumption at all.
In addition, you may want to avoid sugary foods and drinks because they can damage your tooth enamel and in the long run cause more tooth discolouration.
Read our full post with much more detailed information on after teeth whitening and aftercare tips.