How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?

Investing in a whiter, brighter smile is investing in yourself; teeth whitening can improve your confidence, first impressions, appearance, and, in many cases, even your career. However, deciding whether or not to have your teeth professionally whitened can be a big decision. You'll want to consider factors such as impact and expected results with the cost, treatment longevity, and alternative options.  

The Most Popular Methods for Whitening Teeth

There are two main categories of teeth whitening treatments: whitening treatments purchased over the counter and whitening treatments provided by a dental care professional.  

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

Several teeth-whitening products are available over the counter, such as:

• Whitening Toothpaste - Whitening toothpaste can contain abrasive ingredients and chemical whitening agents designed to remove stains from the surfaces of the teeth.  

• Whitening Strips - These flexible, plastic strips are coated with sticky, chemical whitening agents. They are worn over the teeth for a recommended amount of time and frequency to dissolve and lift stains from the surfaces of the teeth.  

• Whitening Gel - A variety of whitening gels are available over the counter. Some come with trays, while others are designed to be painted or drawn onto the teeth. These use chemical whitening agents to dissolve stains.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening treatment options typically include a variety of:

• In-Office Whitening Treatments - These treatments use the most effective and potent whitening agents to achieve fast results under the supervision of a dental care professional.

• Take-Home Whitening Kits - These whitening kits include custom-designed whitening trays and whitening gel or foam. These kits work faster than over-the-counter treatments but are safe to use in the comfort of your home while following your dentist's instructions for administration.  

The Difference Between Over-the-Counter and Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening offers many benefits and advantages compared to over-the-counter whitening products.  

• Fast and Effective - Professional teeth whitening treatments use the highest concentrations of whitening agents. As a result, patients achieve their desired results with fewer treatments and in much less time.  

• Always Safe - Over-the-counter products that have been approved by the American Dental Association are generally considered safe for most patients, as long as you follow the manufacturer's directions for use. However, when purchasing whitening products online or from retailers without a known trustworthy reputation, you don't always know what you're getting. Sometimes, over-the-counter products can contain unsafe amounts of abrasive materials that could permanently damage your tooth enamel. Professional whitening treatments always use high-quality whitening agents and tools to ensure patients have a safe and effective experience.  

• Realistic Expectations and Customized Results - With professional whitening treatments, patients can aim for and achieve the desired level of whitening with customized applications. Dental care professionals record your starting shade and use color strips to help you determine the level of whitening that will best complement your complexion. We then provide you with customized whitening applications to achieve your desired results.  

• Professionally Managed Side Effects - Teeth whitening treatments can sometimes cause some temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. With professional treatments, we'll take steps to protect your soft tissues while mitigating sensitivity with specifically timed treatment applications in addition to professional fluoride.  

How Long Does Teeth Whitening at the Dentist Last?

The results of professional teeth whitening can last for varied amounts of time based on several factors. On average, however, the results of in-office chairside whitening treatments last for about one to three years, while the results of professional take-home whitening kits last for about a year.

Compared to over-the-counter whitening that lasts about four to six months with ongoing touch-ups, the results of professional whitening are pretty impressive.  

Factors That Impact Teeth Whitening Results

Several factors can impact how dramatic and long-lasting your teeth-whitening results are, such as:

• Your Age - As we get older, the partially translucent, outermost layer of the teeth (the tooth enamel) begins to wear away and become thinner. As a result, the next layer (the dentin), which is slightly yellow in color, becomes increasingly visible. For patients over the age of 30, teeth whitening typically doesn't last quite as long as it does for younger patients with thicker tooth enamel.  

• The Natural Color of Your Teeth - Genetics also plays a role in how long your whitening results last. People with teeth that are naturally more yellow in color experience dramatic whitening results, but they might need more frequent touch-ups after their initial treatment to maintain results.  

• Your Diet - Teeth often become stained from consuming highly pigmented foods and drinks. Frequently consuming things like dark-colored sodas, red wine, coffee, tea, artificially colored drinks, sports drinks, chocolate, berries, or artificially colored foods can deposit stains onto the surfaces of your teeth. As a result, you might need more frequent touch-ups.  

• Your Oral Hygiene Habits - Good oral hygiene habits are essential to keeping daily stains and discoloration at bay. Brushing and flossing daily cleans the surfaces of your teeth, helping to remove plaque, tartar, and unnatural stains. If your oral hygiene habits are lacking, then your whitening treatments won't last as long.  

• Your Medications - Certain medications can actually change the color of your teeth, shortening the time that whitening treatments will last.  

• Tobacco Use - Tobacco use of any kind deposits yellowish-brown nicotine stains on the tooth enamel. It also increases your risk of several types of cancer. It's best to refrain from tobacco use while considering your whiter, brighter smile a fringe benefit.  

How Much Does Professional Teeth Whitening Cost in Washington State?

On average, professional teeth whitening treatments cost between $300 and $1,000 in Washington State. The price varies based on the type of professional treatments (in-office vs. take-home kits) and the number of whitening sessions needed to achieve your desired results.  

Our office team can provide you with an estimate of the cost of your whitening treatments to help you determine whether or not professional whitening is right for you.  

Is Teeth Whitening Right for You? The Difference Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Discoloration

Professional whitening treatments and over-the-counter teeth whitening products are designed to address extrinsic stains and discoloration. These are surface stains on the teeth caused by external factors (such as pigments deposited by dark-colored foods or tobacco products).  

Over-the-counter and professional whitening do not address intrinsic discoloration (i.e. internal discoloration caused by dental anatomy, medications, excessive fluoride during tooth development, trauma, or disease). Patients with intrinsic tooth discoloration will not see the desired results from whitening treatments, but there are alternative cosmetic approaches to addressing intrinsic discoloration, such as dental veneers, dental bonding, and dental crowns.  

Additionally, teeth whitening treatments and products are not always recommended for patients with visible dental restorations. The whitening agents in these products will not work on porcelain or composite resin. As a result, patients with restorations (veneers, crowns, tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, bridges, dentures, etc.) should speak with our dentist to determine whether or not whitening treatments are a good option. If you have dental restorations, we can customize whitening treatments to ensure your natural teeth match your restorations.  

Professional Teeth Whitening in Gig Harbor: Choose the Professional Whitening Option That's Best for You

At Cedarbrook Dental, we're proud to provide our patients with comprehensive cosmetic dental care including:

• Chairside professional teeth whitening treatments

• Professional teeth whitening take-home kits

• Teeth whitening alternatives such as dental veneers, dental bonding, crowns, and more

If your smile doesn't seem to be quite as dazzling as it once was, we encourage you to consider professional teeth whitening. Our dentists can talk with you about your smile goals, lifestyle, and individual whitening needs to help you determine the best course of treatment. We'll work with you to create a custom-designed whitening plan to improve the shade of your smile and your confidence.

To learn more or request a consultation, we welcome you to contact Cedarbrook Dental in Gig Harbor today.

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