The most prevalent treatment in cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. Having a healthy-looking and brighter smile is an attractive prospect for most people. There are currently several options for people who want whiter teeth, and these options range from high-tech in-chair whitening systems to whitening pastes.
But let’s begin with the first big question.
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How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question depends. Getting Teeth whitening can last for two to three years for some persons and just six months for others, and it varies from one person to another.
Activities that can get your teeth stained quickly and make the whitening duration short include:
- Eating staining foods such as berries and beetroot
- Drinking dark liquid such as tea, coffee, and red wine
- Smoking
You need to brush your teeth two times daily and avoid the above staining foods (avoid, not cut out completely) to keep the whitening long-lasting for a long time. However, do not forget that you can’t prevent staining the whitening forever.
How Long Does It Take to Whiten Teeth?
The answer to this question depends solely on the whitening method you want to use.
In-office whitening or in-chair whitening is a whitening performed in dental clinics. A dentist does it with stronger concentrations of whitening formulas than can be gotten elsewhere. You can get significant whitening in just one to two hours of appointment with your dentist.
There are also at-home whitening kits comprising mouth trays created by dentists to fit into your mouth perfectly. These whitening formulas should be worn daily for short periods, and they are lower whitening concentration agents, and you need to use them for up to three weeks to get the results you want.
Don’t get swayed with many whitening toothpaste adverts; they seldom whiten your teeth. However, a whitening paste containing hydrogen peroxide does, but most don’t have it.
How Much Whiter Can You Make Your Teeth?
It is preferable to see teeth whitening teeth the same way you see tanning. This means that everyone who enters a tanning salon or the sun will emerge with a tan. However, everyone achieves noticeable results, which are not accurate at the same level.
Note that there are no whitening products that will whiten your teeth restorations or fillings.
At-Home vs. In-Chair Whitening
Which is the better process between at-home and in-chair whitening? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so read on to know them.
In-Chair Whitening
Pros
- Quicker result
Cons
- The high concentrations of the whitening formula are unpleasant and can be very unbearable, especially for people having sensitive teeth.
- More expensive
- Research has shown that the effect doesn’t last long,
At-Home Whitening
Pros
- Less sensitivity
- More affordable
- You can do it in your home, at your convenience, rather than visiting your dentist every time and booking appointments during busy working schedules.
- The whitening effect lasts longer than the in-chair whitening process
- You have control of how white you want your teeth to be in your hands. You can stop the process when you notice that you’ve gotten enough whiteness before the two or three weeks whitening period is exhausted.
Cons
- It takes you a longer period to get results than in-house whitening
- You should not buy over-the-counter mouth trays as they don’t wrap perfectly around the teeth. They can irritate and burn your gums if not appropriately covered.
- To make the process effective, you must put the whitening kit on your teeth daily.