Whether you are on a first date or at a business meeting, there’s one thing on your mind: making an excellent first impression. The way people perceive you upon your first encounter will linger with them for a long time. And experts estimate that you have only seconds to form a good first impression.
You’ve already taken care of your wardrobe, and you’ve honed your social skills. But have you made sure to whiten your teeth? That smile will be one of the first things they see.
If you go in to polish your pearly whites, how long does teeth whitening last? In this guide, we will discuss how to whiten your teeth and how long you can expect the effects of teeth whitening treatment to last.
How to Whiten Your Teeth
Before you even consider teeth whitening kits or procedures, there are some natural ways you can reduce teeth yellowing. Granted, these ways are not as effective as getting some sort of procedure. However, they will help to a small degree to reduce the yellowing on your teeth.
The main reason teeth begin to yellow be attributed to plaque and tartar. These are bacteria cultures that form from starches and sugars that food leaves on your teeth. Over time, this can lead to teeth yellowing.
Other factors, such as medication, tobacco use, and age can affect the color of your teeth. There are so many factors that contribute to it that it is difficult to pin down just one.
Take Care Of Your Teeth
Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth prevents the buildup of the aforementioned plaque and tartar. You should brush after every meal, or at least twice a day. Flossing also helps to remove plaque and tartar from those crevices.
Take Better Care with Your Diet
Certain foods will stain your teeth more than others. This includes things like red wine, coffee, and any dark-colored berries. If you want to keep your teeth whiter, then avoid the foods that stain them as much as you can.
Quit Smoking
Smokers are all well aware of how their habits can stain their teeth. Quitting smoking will provide a long list of benefits for your health in addition to preventing teeth from yellowing.
Use a Teeth Whitening Treatment
The above methods for whitening your teeth won’t produce a result that is immediately noticeable. They are important for your overall oral health, but they won’t give you those brilliant, white teeth that most people desire. To get that, you will need to consider getting your teeth whitened.
There are generally two methods of getting a teeth whitening treatment:
- Using an at-home kit that you must apply by yourself
- Visiting a professional and having the procedure in-office
For this article, we will discuss at-home treatments only. These are often just as effective as professional whitening, but allow you to do them in the comfort of your home.
Types of At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments
You have a lot of options for whitening your teeth without leaving your home. There are options that you can perform while on the go, too, if you don’t have the time. Let’s discuss the main ones available to you.
Teeth Whitening Strips
These are the most popular method of teeth whitening on the market today. Millions of people across the globe love teeth whitening strips for good reason. They are affordable and easy to apply.
All you have to do is apply them to your teeth and wait. It’s an easy, effective method that requires only about 30 minutes per day. While you’re applying the solution, you can go about your everyday business.
Teeth Lightening LED Lights
LED lights allow you to whiten your teeth in a way that seems almost futuristic. After applying a hydrogen peroxide gel or teeth whitening strip, you will bite onto a custom teeth-bleaching mouthguard. The lights then activate the hydrogen peroxide on your teeth and lead to more effective whitening than without.
Teeth Whitening Pens
If you find that you’re on the go a lot, or you just want to whiten a few spots on your teeth, then you can use pens. These have a syringe applicator to deposit hydrogen peroxide whitening agent onto your teeth. After letting it set, your teeth get a powerful whitening effect.
If you want to improve the effectiveness of your whitening pens, then you should consider whitening trays. These make sure that the gel solution soaks into your teeth. If you sit with one in your mouth for just a few minutes a day, the whitening effect will be much more pronounced.
Teeth Whitening Mouthwash
If you don’t have time for the other methods, or if you want something quicker and easier, you should try mouthwash. In addition to freshening your breath and reducing gingivitis, it leaves a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. This soaks in and gives a similar teeth-whitening effect to gel solutions.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
All teeth whitening solutions generally use the same chemical: hydrogen peroxide. You may recognize this is a common household cleaner and antiseptic. But it is a safe and effective way to whiten your teeth in low concentrations.
Hydrogen peroxide induces a bleaching effect. Similar to how it might bleach or clean things in your home, it helps to break down stains that have formed on your teeth. The end result is that you get to see the clean, stain-free teeth that were always beneath.
Of course, not all teeth whitening methods are equal. But generally speaking, you can expect teeth whitening to last anywhere from six months to a total of three years.
Let’s discuss some of the factors that affect how longer teeth whitening will last.
The Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide
It stands to reason that the more hydrogen peroxide you add, the more powerful the effect will be. Higher concentrations will dissolve those stains faster and give you white teeth sooner.
However, overusing hydrogen peroxide can damage the enamel on your teeth. This is the shield that protects your teeth from cavities and bacteria. You cannot replace your enamel, so treat it with care.
Generally speaking, it is better to use low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide over a long period of time. Home kits are often the best way to achieve this. They do not contain the same high concentration that you might find during a professional teeth whitening treatment.
The Frequency of the Treatments
If you’re using an at-home kit, then you will not get results after only one treatment. Whether you’re using a pen or whitening strips, you will need to use them on a daily basis. It may take several weeks before you notice the effects.
If you are not consistent with these treatments, the effects will be noticeably less. Sticking with the treatments every day will get you to your white-teeth goal sooner. You also get teeth whitening that lasts much longer.
Using the Treatments Correctly
It’s important to read the instructions that come with your teeth whitening kits. If you dive in and do it without reading them, you may not be getting the full effect.
For example, the tooth tray requires that the gel coat the entire surface of your teeth. If you do not apply enough gel, then only a portion of your teeth will get the whitening effect. If you use several treatments in an incorrect fashion, the teeth whitening will not last as long.
The Quality of the Treatments That You Purchase
Teeth whitening is a competitive industry, and many oral health product manufacturers have their own versions. That said, not all of them are made equally. Some teeth whitening products may lead to unsatisfactory results.
For example, they may use lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. They may cut this hydrogen peroxide with other chemicals that do not have the same effect. They may skimp on certain parts of the manufacturing process, leading to lower-quality teeth whitening overall.
Make sure you purchase your teeth whitening supplies from a reliable manufacturer. When it comes to something as sensitive and valuable as your teeth, quality is always better than quantity.
Find White-Label Teeth Whitening Products With Cinoll
How long does teeth whitening last? It depends on your everyday habits, the teeth-whitening products you use, and their general quality and effectiveness. Generally, you can expect teeth whitening to last at least six months, but when done properly at the right concentrations, it will last several years.
Cinoll is an industry leader in private-label products for oral health. We make all the teeth-whitening options that dentists and brand owners could ever need. Check out our manufacturing range and find the ones that work for your business.
