Some people need to go in for regular dental procedures in order to maintain good oral health. And out of the many dental procedures, teeth whitening is always somewhere at the top of the list.
A significant concern about teeth whitening is “how long does it take.” There is no definite answer to this. In fact, there are several types of chair-side and over-the-counter treatments, and all of them differ.
Read on to know more about the different procedures and how long each takes.
Discoloration of Teeth
To better understand the teeth whitening procedure and how long it takes, we need to understand the root cause behind discoloration.
- Genetics and age: Your genetics may be to blame for some discoloration. If someone in your family had less than white teeth, it might have been passed down to you. In addition, your teeth can get less white with age, too.
- Consumption of certain foods: The most common cause of discoloration is years of drinking tea, coffee, soda, wine, and smoking, just to name a few. Moreover, eating too many foods containing large amounts of natural dyes can cause discoloration.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions and resulting hormonal changes, poor nutrition, and certain medications can also cause you to have discolored teeth.
Teeth Whitening: Procedures and Their Durations
Several people do opt for at-home kits or remedies to brighten their teeth. But the dentists office can offer much more effective procedures for teeth whitening.
Here are a few teeth whitening procedures you can choose from and their durations.
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Chairside Bleaching
This is the best method for teeth whitening since it is quick and easy. The procedure takes somewhere between 60 to 90 minutes. At the end of the procedure, patients walk away with teeth that are 2-3 shades lighter.
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Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses take a very long time to achieve adequate results. Nonetheless, they are a a good, recommended method for maintaining professionally whitened teeth. Simply rinse your mouth a few times every day, like you would with a regular rinse.
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Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is available over the counter and is commonly used for teeth whitening. It is the enzymes in whitening toothpaste that remove stains. If you brush with them twice daily, you should be able to see their effects in two to six weeks.
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Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are an extremely popular form of teeth whitening. However, this is not always the best solution for people with sensitive teeth. Moreover, it takes a long time before you see results. They need to be worn for up to 2 hours every day, for 2 to 3 weeks.
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Whitening Gel and UV lights
The peroxide-based gel is intended to be used with a blue UV light to produce high levels of whitening. The UV light activates the peroxide and speeds up the whitening process. If done daily, you should notice benefits in 10-14 days.
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At-Home Whitening Gel Trays
Whitening gel trays will give you results after a week, with the best results between the 2- to 4-week mark. Furthermore, the degree of whitening you notice will depend on the strength of the peroxide and the length of time you wear it.
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Whitening Pens
Whitening pens are tiny, portable tubes of whitening gel for spot stain removal. They are like touch-ups for your teeth. Whitening pens might take anywhere from 2 and 7 days to work. Even then, they provide negligible and short-lived results.
Precautions After Teeth Whitening
Now that your teeth are beautifully white, time to ensure that they stay that way for a long time. Listed here are some tips to ensure that the effects of teeth whitening do not fade quickly.
- Remember to brush after every meal, or at least twice a day.
- Try to avoid any food or drink that might stain your teeth.
- Remember to brush your teeth after consuming things that may cause staining.
- In case you consume something acidic, wait 30 minutes to brush, as brushing immediately may be detrimental to your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth after eating. Alternatively, chew sugar-free gum.
- Include a whitening toothpaste or a rinse into your usual dental care routine.
Conclusion
Having whiter teeth can have a significant impact on your confidence. Today, there are numerous at-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments and products. These include professional bleaching and whitening strips.
Whitening toothpaste, pens, and rinses are some at-home options, but they do not last long. However, they can extend the effects of whitening treatments at the dentists.
Nevertheless, with all the conflicting information about teeth whitening, it is best to consult your dentist to assess what might suit you best. After all, they know the right way to whiten teeth without any major consequences. Call Pure Dental Arts today if you would like to know more!
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-teeth-whitening-last#how-long-does-it-last
https://danawaltersdds.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-for-teeth-whitening-to-work/https://www.sagedentalcare.com/blog/2020/11/11/how-long-does-it-take-to-whiten-your-teeth.html#:~:text=The%20UV%20light%20is%20said,from%20two%20to%20six%20weeks.https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-teeth-whitening-last#how-long-does-it-lasthttps://www.healthysmilesgeorgetown.com/blog/long-take-whiten-teeth/
