It is common for teeth to develop stains on your teeth. It could be due to everyday habits like drinking tea, coffee, or soda, lifestyle choices such as smoking, overuse of fluoride, aging or use of medication.
If you want to bring back your bright smile, professional teeth whitening can do the trick. But, how long does it actually last? Let’s find out in this blog!
Two Types of Teeth Stains
The two main types of teeth stains are:
- Intrinsic stains – These develop deep within the tooth, often from certain medicines, injuries, or trauma. Since they are on the inside, they’re harder to remove.
- Extrinsic stains: These develop on the outside of teeth. They are often caused by coffee, tea, red wine, smoking etc. they are easier to treat.
If you are unsure about which type of stain you have developed, it is best to see a dentist for a checkup. They can examine your teeth, identify whether the stains are intrinsic or extrinsic, and recommend the best whitening option for you.
Average Duration of Teeth Whitening Results
Professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from 2–3 years. This timeline can vary from person to person depending on their individual habits and lifestyle. Some might experience fading in just a few months, while others reap the benefits of this treatment for years with good oral care.
Factors Affecting How Long Teeth Whitening Lasts
Here are some factors that affect how long teeth whitening last:
- Lifestyle and Diet
Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda, as well as foods like berries, can stain teeth and make whitening fade faster. Smoking or using tobacco also causes teeth to discolor more quickly.
- Oral Hygiene
Brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for cleanings help keep teeth white for longer. If you don’t take care of your teeth, stains and plaque can build up, making results fade sooner.
- Original Tooth Color and Staining
If your teeth are very dark or heavily stained before whitening, the results may not last as long compared to lighter teeth.
- Frequency of Treatments
Dentists recommend going for teeth whitening treatments every twice a year. This keeps your teeth to stay white and bright over years.
Tips to Make Your Whitening Results Last Longer
Here are some tips to make your whitening results last longer:
- Try to limit foods and drinks that stain teeth, like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, dark chocolate etc.
- Rinse your mouth with anti-bacterial mouthwash to remove food particles and other hidden debris
- Brush twice daily and floss regularly
- Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings
- Cut down or quit smoking to avoid staining
Overall Insight
The results of teeth whitening last for about 2 to 3 years with good oral care. However, this timeline can vary based on lifestyle, diet, original tooth color, oral hygiene and frequency of treatment. You can maintain the results for longer by regular brushing, flossing, using anti-bacterial mouthwash and seeing your dentist for periodic checkups.
If you have developed teeth stains, visit our expert dentist, Dr. Omad Chaudhary, FICOI, at Enhance Dental at Heritage for a personalized consultation. Call us at (919) 569-5719 to book your appointment.