Teeth whitening is an extremely popular cosmetic dental treatment that brightens a person’s smile by removing stains and discoloration from the surfaces of their teeth. Teeth whitening is a fantastic way to achieve a genuinely pearly white smile. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that the longevity of those results requires some care.
Understanding Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening, sometimes referred to as “teeth bleaching,” is a cosmetic treatment in which the surfaces of a person’s teeth are whitened and brightened. Teeth whitening works by using bleaching agents (most commonly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to reduce or eliminate stains in the tooth enamel. Whitening can be done in-office, at home with dentist-supervised kits, or via over-the-counter solutions like whitening strips or toothpaste.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Expected Longevity
The duration of teeth whitening results varies based on the method used. Broadly speaking, though they tend to carry a larger price tag and require the commitment of one or more trips to your dentist’s office, professional treatments tend to last longer than DIY whitening solutions.
Here’s a breakdown of how long you can expect the results of various types of teeth whitening treatments to last:
- Professional treatments provide immediate results that typically last between one and two years with proper care.
- Dentist-prescribed take-home whitening kits offer professional-grade whitening and similar longevity (1-2 years) to in-office treatments.
- Over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions, like whitening strips, are less potent and require reapplication every 3-6 months to maintain results.
Tips for Long-Lasting Teeth Whitening Results
The longevity of teeth whitening results depends not only on the treatment you choose but also on certain choices you make in your lifestyle. Here are a few tips for maintaining your teeth whitening results and ensuring that your smile is always at its dazzling best:
- Practice good oral hygiene – Brush your teeth at least two times per day, floss at least once per day, and use antibacterial mouthwash regularly to prevent new stains.
- Avoid staining foods and drinks – Limit your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries, and other tooth-staining foods and beverages.
- Avoid tobacco products – Smoking and smokeless tobacco products can quickly reverse the effects of teeth whitening and cause new stains.
- Touch-up treatments – Periodically touching up your teeth with take-home kits can extend whitening results.
Discover Teeth Whitening in Huntsville, AL
If you’re in the Huntsville area and would like to learn more about the teeth whitening options available to you, which treatment is best suited to your needs, and how to maximize any treatment’s results, rather than just Googling “teeth whitening dentist near me” and taking your chances, contact dentist Dr. Brian Cook and the Twickenham Family Dentistry team to schedule a consultation!