Everyone loves a bright, white smile, but most people don\u2019t have the brilliant teeth made popular by Hollywood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter what type of tooth whitening process you use, it won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on to learn the effects of whitening procedures and products to consider. We\u2019ll also let you know how long you can expect them to last and what you can do to prolong tooth whitening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Causes Teeth to Stain? Regular use of coffee, tea, red wine, some berries, citrus fruits, carrots In-Chair vs. At-Home Whitening There are advantages and disadvantages to both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In-chair whitening \u2013 Faster results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 More expensive. At Home Whitening \u2013 More affordable. Cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 Takes longer to achieve results than in house whitening. What if my teeth start to look yellow again after a few months?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A few months ago, you invested in professional teeth whitening to achieve a brighter smile. At first, everything was perfect\u2014you felt confident every time you smiled. But now, you\u2019re noticing that your teeth seem to be losing their sparkle and are looking yellow again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s going on? Does this mean you need another whitening session? The quick answer is: maybe not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several reasons why your teeth might appear yellow again after a professional whitening treatment. This doesn\u2019t mean the treatment failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, remember that professional teeth whitening isn\u2019t a permanent solution. Over time, new stains and discoloration naturally form, causing your teeth to lose their whiteness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, some foods and drinks\u2014like coffee, tea, and red wine\u2014can stain teeth more easily. If these are part of your regular diet, you may notice discoloration reappearing sooner than someone who avoids these beverages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Teeth can become stained for a number of reasons that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medication, for example, tetracycline
Smoking
Overusing fluoride causing mottled white spots
Aging
Whatever causes teeth staining, professional teeth whitening is the easy solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>So which is better, in-chair or at-home whitening?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Pros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 The higher concentration of formula can be unpleasant \u2014 or completely unbearable \u2014 for patients with sensitive teeth.
\u2013 Studies have shown the whiter effect does not last as long as gradual whitening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Pros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Less sensitivity.
\u2013 Can be done at home for your own convenience, rather than booking appointments in busy work schedules.
\u2013 Results of whiter teeth last longer than in chair whitening.
\u2013 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.
\u2013 Trays can be reused over the years to keep topping up the whiter appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 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.
\u2013 Requires the patient to remember to put the whitening kit in daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n