A bright, radiant smile is something many people want, and fortunately, there are ways to get it. Through proper oral care, the advice of a dentist, and teeth whitening services, there are ways to transform natural staining and discolouration into a whiter and brighter smile.
Teeth whitening lasts anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the type of whitening performed. While at-home kits can provide short-term whitening, overall results tend to last longer when done by an experienced dentist.
By seeking the help of a qualified professional, you can receive quality whitening and maintain a bright and healthy smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening—a cosmetic procedure designed to make your teeth whiter and shinier—uses bleaching agents to remove stains and discolouration from the surface of the teeth. Typically, these agents include one or both of the following:
- Hydrogen peroxide, which in small percentages can whiten teeth
- Carbamide peroxide, which contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide that breaks down over the surface of teeth over several hours to provide results
These two agents break down molecules that stain your teeth and can lead to a whiter, brighter smile. There are several types of teeth whitening, ranging from at-home kits and dentist-performed sessions.
How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of teeth whitening depend significantly on the type of whitening performed.
Dental Whitening Sessions
In a session with a dentist, the performing dentist or hygienist can apply a concentrated form of the bleaching agent to your teeth. Then, they activate it with a special laser or light to produce a long-lasting whitening effect. This treatment can produce results that last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years, depending on your oral care routine and lifestyle.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
Take-home kits can also be purchased from many grocery stores, pharmacies, and dental offices. These kits include a special gel with a bleaching agent less concentrated than that used by a dentist, which can be safer for the average person to use.
The kits also include a tray to hold the gel worn for a certain period—typically a few hours or overnight, depending on the brand and style. The results from a take-home teeth whitening kit usually last a few months but can vary depending on how often the kit is used.
Teeth Whitening Strips
At-home teeth whitening isn’t just available in the gel and tray form. There are also teeth-whitening strips, often designed to be used twice daily for roughly 2 weeks. The length of time they’re worn varies depending on the make and type of chemical used as a bleaching agent. These strips typically provide results that can last up to 6 months.
Teeth-Whitening Oral Care Products
Some products can help keep your teeth healthy, typically coming in 3 forms:
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
Recognizable as part of a proper oral care routine, these 3 products can be modified to use special abrasives or chemicals to help produce teeth-whitening results.
While these can improve stained or discoloured teeth, the results are often more subtle and last only as long as the product is continuously used.
What Can Change the Results of Teeth Whitening?
Several factors can affect teeth whitening results, including lifestyle and diet. These can include:
- Smoking or other forms of tobacco usage. Tobacco contains chemicals that can stain and discolour the teeth.
- Consuming certain drinks or liquids, including coffee, tea, red wine, and most dark-coloured beverages. Many dark drinks contain “tannins” that can stain your teeth over time.
- Your oral care routine. Proper oral hygiene is required to keep your teeth white and healthy. It’s important to brush your teeth 2 times a day for 2 minutes at a time, floss once daily, and use anti-bacterial mouthwash.
- The type of teeth whitening and how often it’s used
- How frequently you visit the dentist
Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and oral examinations is essential to optimizing the results of your teeth whitening. They can thoroughly examine your teeth and oral health and provide you with a recommendation to improve the teeth whitening results.
Teeth Whitening in Winnipeg
At Pristine Dental, we know how important a bright and healthy smile is to your daily life and confidence. Our team of trained professionals is here to answer any questions you may have about teeth whitening and can perform a thorough dental examination to determine if this is the right treatment for you.
To speak with one of our experienced dentists today, schedule an appointment with us, and take the first step towards a brighter, whiter smile.