Everyone loves a bright, white smile, but most people don’t have the brilliant teeth made popular by Hollywood.
At-home whitening products such as strips and gels, or dental office procedures, such as chairside bleaching, are some of the ways people brighten teeth and reduce surface stains.
No matter what type of tooth whitening process you use, it won’t last forever. At-home products may give minimal-to-great results that last for a few months. Professional dental procedures may extend that time up to 2-3 years.
Read on to learn the effects of whitening procedures and products to consider. We’ll also let you know how long you can expect them to last and what you can do to prolong tooth whitening.
Why Causes Teeth to Stain?
Teeth can become stained for a number of reasons that include:
Regular use of coffee, tea, red wine, some berries, citrus fruits, carrots
Medication, for example, tetracycline
Smoking
Overusing fluoride causing mottled white spots
Aging
Whatever causes teeth staining, professional teeth whitening is the easy solution.
In-Chair vs. At-Home Whitening
So which is better, in-chair or at-home whitening?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
In-chair whitening
Pros:
– Faster results.
Cons:
– More expensive.
– The higher concentration of formula can be unpleasant — or completely unbearable — for patients with sensitive teeth.
– Studies have shown the whiter effect does not last as long as gradual whitening.
At Home Whitening
Pros:
– More affordable.
– Less sensitivity.
– Can be done at home for your own convenience, rather than booking appointments in busy work schedules.
– Results of whiter teeth last longer than in chair whitening.
– You can control how white you want to go and stop the whitening process if you achieve a whiteness you are satisfied with before the 2-3 week whitening period is up.
– Trays can be reused over the years to keep topping up the whiter appearance.
Cons:
– Takes longer to achieve results than in house whitening.
– Avoid over-the-counter mouth trays as they do no wrap evenly around your teeth and can risk burning and irritation to your gums, as well as needing to use more whitening product to fill the tray.
– Requires the patient to remember to put the whitening kit in daily.
What if my teeth start to look yellow again after a few months?
A few months ago, you invested in professional teeth whitening to achieve a brighter smile. At first, everything was perfect—you felt confident every time you smiled. But now, you’re noticing that your teeth seem to be losing their sparkle and are looking yellow again.
What’s going on? Does this mean you need another whitening session? The quick answer is: maybe not.
There are several reasons why your teeth might appear yellow again after a professional whitening treatment. This doesn’t mean the treatment failed.
First, remember that professional teeth whitening isn’t a permanent solution. Over time, new stains and discoloration naturally form, causing your teeth to lose their whiteness.
Additionally, some foods and drinks—like coffee, tea, and red wine—can stain teeth more easily. If these are part of your regular diet, you may notice discoloration reappearing sooner than someone who avoids these beverages.
Find a Dentist for Teeth Whitening in Panama
DentalOne offers safe, effective, and professional teeth whitening treatments to make your smile brighter for longer.
