Teeth whitening is a wonderful breakthrough in science, but that doesn’t mean that we can nail down with precision exactly how long teeth whitening will last. There are many factors that can affect teeth whitening, including genetics, oral hygiene, food and drink, and smoking. It also depends on the type of teeth whitening products used. Any one of these factors can make a big impact on keeping that white smile.
Generally speaking, however, teeth whitening that is done in a clinic will last between 2 to 3 years, though if you engage in behaviors that negatively impact teeth whitening, such as drinking red wine or smoking, that effect can drop all the way down to around six months.
So if your question is “Is teeth whitening permanent?” The answer is, sadly, no. But if your question is “Can teeth whitening give me a brighter smile?” then the answer is an emphatic yes.
What Are the Types of Teeth Whitening?
There are two general categories of teeth whitening. There is in-clinic whitening, which takes place at a dentist’s office or a clinic, and then there is at-home whitening, which you can do from anywhere.
There are a number of differences between the two, especially in regard to the question of how long does professional teeth whitening last. For example:
In-Clinic Whitening:
in-clinic teeth whitening treatments produce faster results. They do this through higher concentrations of whitening gels than what you’d get in a teeth whitening kit.
How long does it last? Well, the higher concentration speeds up the process and also produces a brighter, whiter smile. It’s something that you can’t get from an at-home kit and you need professional teeth whitening for.
Also, in addition to gel formulas, there are in-clinic laser treatments for teeth whitening. How long does laser teeth whitening last? It lasts about the same as gel whitening, but is better on sensitive teeth.
At-Home Whitening
At-home whitening opens up your options to a number of different teeth whitening methods, including teeth whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, gel trays, and other home whitening kits. These kits will work slower than in-clinic whitening, and the whitening won’t last as long, but, on the positive side, they tend to be a cheaper alternative.
Also, it should be noted that because in-clinic whitening uses stronger concentrations of gel, sensitive teeth might not respond as well to it. Using a slower-moving product over the long term will be easier on sensitive teeth, so this is a trade-off you must consider after consulting with your dentist.
In regard to teeth whitening kits: how long do they last? They will last a shorter amount of time than in-clinic treatments, usually between 20-50% less.
How Often Can You Get Your Teeth Whitened?
You can get your teeth whitened in-clinic, in a clinic, about every 18 months. This is the recommended amount that dentists suggest. You can use at-home teeth whitening kits every four to six months, but this is because they are one, less potent, and two, less effective.
To put it another way, there is less need to get your in-clinic teeth whitening done frequently, because the results last longer, but you will need to get your at-home whitening done more often because it is less effective.