How long does a professional teeth whitening last?
More people are currently paying for brighter and whiter teeth. However, does teeth whitening work, and is the treatment safe? Here are some answers to the questions you might have in mind.
Teeth Whitening Explained
Bleaching your teeth to make them lighter is what teeth whitening is. Teeth whitening doesn’t make your teeth brilliant white but lightens them by several shades. Teeth whitening helps remove surface stains on your teeth developing from foods and drinks besides lifestyle habits like smoking. Tooth discoloration also occurs if you have infections or injuries on a tooth that might become discolored.
Who Can Perform Teeth Whitening?
The teeth whitening dentist near you is the sole professional authorized to perform teeth whitening treatments. Dental hygienists and therapists can also perform the treatment under a prescription from the dentist. Some beauty salons also offer teeth whitening. However, no dental professionals are present and the treatments offered are illegal and may put your oral health at risk. You can also purchase DIY home whitening kits but must understand they also carry some risks.
The Procedure for Teeth Whitening
The teeth whitening procedure is pretty straightforward and completed by the dentist in approximately 90 minutes. The therapy is painless and brightens the color of your teeth by three to eight shades.
When you visit the dentist to whiten your teeth, they will initially examine your teeth to determine whether you are suitable for the treatment. For example, the whitening treatment will not be effective if you have gum disease, tooth decay, or dental crowns.
If you are free from all the above, the dentist cleans your teeth to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup, which also gives your teeth a discolored appearance. After the cleaning, the dentist notes the existing shade of your teeth for reference later.
Before starting the teeth whitening treatment, the dentist protects the soft tissue of your mouth with cheek retractors and rubber dams for protection against accidental leakage of the bleaching ingredients. The teeth whitening treatment begins only after your mouth’s soft tissues are adequately protected.
After preparing you for the therapy, the dentist applies a concentrated hydrogen peroxide bleaching ingredient four times during the hour at 15 intervals each. The existing application is suctioned off every 15 minutes for a new application. Heat and light accompany the whitening treatment to accelerate the bleaching process.
At the end of one hour, the dentist requests you rinse your mouth and receive a fluoride treatment to prevention against any sensitivity. They also measure the shade of your teeth, which would have improved, as described earlier. The treatment provides instant results within 90 minutes, enabling you to flash your pearly whites without trying to hide them because of discoloration.
If you are satisfied with the results of in-office teeth whitening, you can request presents for at-home whitening trays with bleaching gel. The dentist takes an impression of your mouth to create a customized mouth that you can use from the comfort of your home. The dentist insults how and when to use the trays and how long to improve the discoloration on your teeth.
How Long Does the Effect of the Whitening Last?
Contrary to popular belief, teeth whitening treatments are not permanent and last for a few months or three years. The results depend best on how you care for your teeth, your lifestyle habits, and the foods and drinks you have.
If you are a smoker, you can develop yellowish or brownish stains on your teeth from tobacco. Therefore quitting smoking to benefit the color of your teeth and overall health is recommended. Beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, pasta sauces, tomato sauces, blackberries, et cetera also discolor your teeth. Therefore you must avoid or limit your consumption of these foods and beverages. If you find it challenging to avoid having your morning coffee or glass of wine in the evening, you must use a straw for drinking the liquids to prevent contact with your teeth. If you have the foods described, you must brush your teeth as soon as possible after having them.
The best way to maintain the whiteness of your teeth the longest is to follow the tips suggested and maintain excellent dental hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth and getting six-monthly dental exams and cleanings from Pocahontas Dental Associates when the professionals also polish your teeth during the cleaning procedure.