Very few people have very white teeth naturally, as we grow older our teeth become discoloured by the foods we eat, the liquids we drink and by external factors such as taking antibiotics. If you have staining on your teeth then you may be thinking of having them whitened. After all, who does not want a brilliant white smile?
If you are thinking of having your teeth whitened it’s worth remembering that the results can be variable. This also applies to the length of time that the whitening effect lasts. If you choose to use an at home teeth whitening kit then make sure to choose one that has good reviews. There are no governing standards for these kits so the results they achieve vary greatly. No matter what method of teeth whitening you use there are certain things that can affect the length of time the results last.
What can have an effect on the length of time teeth whitening lasts?
There are several factors that can affect the length of time the results of teeth whitening last. If you eat food that contains staining agents or you drink a lot of tea, coffee or red wine then the results will possibly last for little more than a month before you need to take further action. The same applies if you are a smoker. However, if you refrain from doing any of these things the results of teeth whitening can last for in excess of twelve months and potentially for as long as three years.
What can you do to make the results last longer?
The best way to whiten your teeth is generally to have the work done in office, by a dentist. The results tend to be achieved quicker and they can last longer, although it’s worth mentioning that teeth whitening results can never be guaranteed. It stands to reason that if eating certain foods and drinking certain liquids helps to stain your teeth quicker the refraining from these activities helps the results of teeth whitening last longer.
The same applies to smoking. Taking good care of your teeth can also help them remain a cleaner white for longer. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day and making regular trips to the dentist to keep your teeth in good health.
Teeth whitening involves using a bleaching agent to lighten the pigment of your tooth enamel. How effective it is, and how long it lasts, often depends on the make-up of your teeth. However, we have shown that there are ways you can prolong the effects of teeth whitening such as eating and drinking the right things and not smoking. If you want the results of teeth whitening to last for as long as possible then you need to look after your teeth and keep them clean and fresh.
I always wondered how long a professional whitening would last… I do drink dark cola drinks so while I might not have the whitening last as long as stated above, it is definitely something to think about!