How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?

Frequent consumption of berries, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and sauces can leave your teeth stained. Besides affecting your smile, having stained teeth can result from plaque and tartar accumulation causing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Therefore, it is essential to look for teeth whitening services in Ellicott City, MD, to remove the teeth stains and revitalize your smile.

However, one question that arises with professional teeth whitening is how long the results of the procedure last. So, you’re in the right place if you’re looking for an answer to the question mentioned above and more about professional teeth whitening. So, let’s get into it.

What To Expect During Professional Teeth Whitening?

After visiting the dentist in Ellicott City, they will use a tooth shade chart to check the current shade of your teeth. Remember to tell the dentist which shade you desire your teeth to look after whitening.

The dentist then uses a pumice tool to remove plaque on your teeth’s surfaces and polish them. Next, a barrier is placed along the gum line to ensure that the whitening agent does not contact your cheeks, tongue, and gums as it can irritate.

The whitening agent is then applied and left for an hour. A special light can be used to activate the whitening agent. The dentist then checks your teeth and may apply additional coats of the whitening agent until the desired shade is attained.

Once the desired shade is attained, the dentist rinses your mouth to remove the whitening agent. Fluoride application is recommended to prevent any sensitivity, a common side effect of teeth whitening treatment.

Lastly, you will discuss with the dentist if the treatment has been successful and what lifestyle habits you need to eliminate or adhere to prevent tooth staining.

How Long Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Last?

It is essential to note that the most effective way of whitening your teeth is by looking for a dentist who performs teeth whitening near you. Why so? Because a dental professional has the skills to perform the procedure, thereby ensuring longer-lasting results when it comes to teeth whitening—In-office teeth whitening results last between 1 and 3 years compared to at-home teeth whitening which lasts for 4 months to a year.

Tips to Keep Teeth White After Treatment

• Maintain proper oral hygiene- your teeth will not remain white if you don’t brush and floss daily. Brushing and flossing are essential oral practices that will ensure no plaque or food debris is left on your teeth surface, causing stains and tooth decay.
• Quit smoking- smoking is not suitable for your overall and oral health. The chemicals found in tobacco can easily stain your teeth. So, it would be best to avoid smoking altogether. If you struggle with the habit, you can talk with the dentist in Ellicott City, and they will help you to stop the habit.
• Use straws- straws are great when drinking, as the beverage will not come into contact with your teeth. This is especially essential when drinking fruit juices known to stain teeth easily.
• Avoid teeth-staining drinks and foods- there are various foods and drinks which can easily stain teeth. For example, if you love drinking coffee, tea, or red wine, then it is time to limit your consumption. Furthermore, if you’re a lover of berries, pomegranates, and cherries, it is time to cut back on the amount you consume. Why? These fruits and beverages easily stain teeth, and this will be counterproductive.
• Go for touch-up treatments- touch-up treatments are essential if you desire to keep your bright smile. You can discuss with the dentist how many touch-up treatments you want and how many are recommended.

Nevertheless, how long the teeth whitening results last depends on your lifestyle habits, the choice of whitening treatment, and your general diet.

What Are the Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening?

• It is a safer treatment- at Julian Center, we value the health of our patients, which is why we provide safe teeth-whitening treatments for them. In addition, professional teeth whitening is safer than at-home teeth whitening as dentists are more skilled in whitening teeth.
• Has long-lasting results.
• Improves your self-esteem- when the stains are removed, you’re confident of smiling even amongst your peers.
• It is a fast and easy procedure- the teeth whitening process takes around half an hour to ninety minutes, making it a quick and easy procedure.