One of the most frequent questions we get asked as dentists is “how long does teeth whitening last?” The short answer is that it varies. The long answer, however, is that there are any number of factors that can and do dictate the length of time that teeth stay white; so we’re going to take a closer look at some of those factors and at the end of it, give you an idea of what you can realistically expect.
Factor number 1 – The type of teeth whitening procedure you opt for.
One of the main factors that dictate how long your teeth will stay white after a procedure is the type of whitening treatment you have. On the one hand, you have your DIY teeth whitening products. You only have to walk into your local pharmacy or store to see a slew of whitening treatments available for you to buy. They can range from toothpaste and gels to whitening strips and whitening pens. Naturally, some will be more effective than others but typically, they contain lower amounts of the whitening agent.
Then, somewhere in the middle, you have take-home teeth whitening kits supplied by your friendly local dentist. As a general rule of thumb, these cost more than most of the DIY products that you can order online or buy off the shelf, but that’s because the teeth whitening trays are made specifically for you.
Finally, at the other end of the scale, you can opt for professional chairside teeth whitening performed by your dentist in the dental clinic. Typically, this is the most expensive option but this is also the treatment that is likely to last the longest. Some estimates give 6-12 months, while others give up to 3 years. However one of the main reasons for the wide estimation is the next factor…
Factor number 2 – Your lifestyle
Let’s face it…we are what we eat – and so too, to a certain degree, are your teeth!
There are many foods and beverages that can and do stain teeth. Red wine, coffee and tomato-based sauces spring to mind. So if you like the odd glass or two of Chianti with a bowl of spaghetti and can’t get by without your daily caffeine fix, then it’s highly probable that a teeth whitening treatment won’t last as long as someone who avoids these foods. Ideally, a diet of salad and water is probably the best thing for prolonging whiter teeth, but in reality it probably isn’t practical or indeed, much fun. As a result, it’s difficult to give a ballpark figure to the question “how long does teeth whitening last” without knowing what you like to eat and drink – hence the 6 months to 3 years estimation.
Another lifestyle factor is smoking. While smoking is bad for your body, it’s also bad for your teeth. Chemicals contained within tobacco smoke will over a matter of months cause brown or yellowish staining which can penetrate deep into the enamel. While regular and thorough brushing, flossing and rinsing can help, teeth are unlikely to stay as white after teeth whitening treatment as in someone who eats stain-free food and is a non-smoker.