Teeth Whitening Results – How Long They Last?

Key points

When it comes to whitening the teeth, there are a lot of options you can choose from. The easiest and most popular options are at-home whitening treatments which include whitening strips, mouthwash, toothpaste, at-home get trays, and whitening pens. The amount of time it will take you to get results from these whitening treatments depends on how yellow your teeth are and how white you want them to be. Depending on your lifestyle, oral hygiene, and diet, you can see the results of at-home treatments in 2 to 4 months.
Whitening strips are the best over-the-counter whitening treatment that provides quick and visible results. The treatments don’t take a lot of time, and they are quite easy to use. They effectively remove stains, and high-quality strips from reputable brands don’t cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
Whitening pens and mouthwashes provide minimal results that won’t last long. Whitening mouthwash is a good option to maintain the effects of other whitening treatments. You can also use whitening toothpaste, which is effective in prolonging the results of other treatments.
After whitening treatment, you need to make sure to avoid or limit staining foods and drinks and tobacco. Also, you should not neglect healthy oral hygiene practices.

We all want to have those Hollywood celebrity-like pearly white teeth, and luckily, there are a lot of teeth whitening methods available in addition to dental office procedures. Whether you are thinking about choosing whitening toothpaste, strips, or gels, you may be wondering how long it will take for you to see the results and how long the effects will last.

Regardless of the whitening method you choose, the results won’t last forever. Typically, the results from at-home products last for a few months, while professional dental procedures usually need to be done every 2-3 years.

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about whitening methods, how long you can expect their effects to last, and what you can do to prolong the whitening effect.

How Long Does It Take To See Teeth Whitening Results?

The amount of time it will take for you to see the results of at-home teeth whitening depends on different factors starting from the type of teeth stains you have and ending with your dietary habits. The yellower your teeth are, the longer and more intensive treatment you need. It also depends on your goals and how white you want your teeth to be.

You should know that there are two types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic stains are harder to bleach because they are located within the tooth itself. Intrinsic stains are typically caused by trauma, ageing, and some medications. They are harder to remove but still can be eliminated with proper treatment.

Extrinsic stains, on the other hand, appear on the tooth surface, and they are usually caused by staining foods and beverages. Thus, you may or may not need to use more advanced teeth whitening methods and carry on treatment for longer, depending on what stains you have.

Remember that teeth whitening treatments are designed to reduce the stains, not prevent them. That’s why another important factor to keep in mind is your oral hygiene and diet between the whitening treatments. Many foods and drinks stain the teeth and thus should be limited or avoided if you want your teeth to stay white.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take With Different Methods?

Let’s discuss different teeth whitening methods in more detail and look into how long you need to carry on treatment before you can see results and how much time you can expect those results to last

Whitening Strips

There’s no shortage of whitening strips on the market today, but it’s quite a difficult task to choose the ones that will provide lasting results. Whitening strips are one of the most popular and effective at-home whitening treatment methods. Some brands even provide LED accelerator lights with their kits to help you remove stains more effectively. However, you should keep in mind that most whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide, which is not the best whitening agent. It may cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity, especially if you use it too often.

When applied correctly, high-quality strips such as those manufactured by Icy Bear help to get rid of both types of stains without damaging the enamel. Icy Bear whitening strips have been shown to whiten the teeth up to seven shades in as little as two weeks. They contain no harmful bleaching agents or hydrogen peroxide. Instead, they are formulated using innovative PAP (Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic acid) whitening agent, which is both safe and effective. Our stips are also dissolvable, which means that you don’t need to use any gels or liquids, or wait to take off the strips – they’ll dissolve on their own!

Depending on what whitening strips you use, the results of the treatment will be visible for between 2 to 4 months. After that time, you can do a top-up treatment, which is quick, easy, and more affordable than in-chair bleaching.

Whitening Pens

Whitening pens provide minimal results that typically last from two days to up to a week. Whitening pens are small tubes with whitening gel that cover spot stains. They don’t provide long-lasting effects. Plus, the gel can be easily washed away, which is why you can’t eat, drink, or rinse your teeth for about an hour after using a whitening pen.

Whitening Mouthwash

Whitening mouthwashes typically contain hydrogen peroxide. They can help to remove minimal surface staining, but it also takes some time – up to 3 months before you can actually see the effects. Whitening mouthwash is best used to lock in and prolong the effects of other whitening treatments rather than as the primary whitening treatment. When used by itself, it doesn’t provide any outstanding or long-lasting results.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is another popular product for at-home teeth whitening. If you use it twice a day, you should see results in about 2 to 6 weeks. The effects typically last for up to 3 or 4 months. Depending on its ingredients and the manufacturer’s instructions, whitening toothpaste can be used every day or a few times per week.

For example, Icy Bear whitening toothpaste is safe for daily use since it contains high amounts of fluoride – an ingredient that protects the enamel. Many types of whitening toothpaste contain harsh abrasives and thus cannot be used daily and long-term because you risk damaging the enamel. Icy Bear toothpaste is not one of them. It provides excellent oral care and is clinically proven to prevent cavities. Icy Bear whitening toothpaste uses very fine diamond dust as a natural abrasive, which removes stains without causing tooth sensitivity. This whitening toothpaste is also excellent for prolonging the effects of Icy Bear whitening strips if you want to keep that pearly white smile for as long as possible.

At-Home Whitening Gel Trays

If you use over-the-counter whitening gel trays, you should see the results in a week or two, and they will typically last for up to a year. The results will depend on the amount of peroxide you use and the amount of time you wear the trays. This treatment is usually supervised by the dentist. The only problem is that it’s much messier than whitening strips. You will need to wear the gel tray for several hours to overnight daily for about a week, while with the Icy Bear whitening strips, you simply put them on and forget about them.

Professional In-Office Teeth Whitening

Professional in-office whitening procedures provide long-lasting effects that last from 1 to 3 years, provided you maintain healthy oral hygiene. This procedure is done with a strong bleaching agent, usually highly-concentrated hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Sometimes, heat or light is used as well to accelerate the effects provided by the bleaching agent.

How To Maintain Teeth Whitening Results

Once you finish a whitening treatment, you’re not done yet, and you have to make sure that you maintain the effects after the treatment. The first thing you need to do is, of course, follow a healthy dental hygiene routine, meaning brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing them regularly. Using electric or sonic toothbrushes is more effective than brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush. Regularly brushing your teeth will eliminate bacteria and plaque, which also can be a factor for tooth discolouration.

Another important aspect is your diet. Make sure to drink enough water during and after meals to ‘wash away’ residual food and drink. You should also limit or avoid staining foods and drinks after the treatment. Some common offenders that will quickly stain your teeth include coffee, wine, tea, fruit juices, and fizzy drinks. If you do want to drink them, using a straw may be helpful. This will help the drink bypass the surface of your teeth, which can help to reduce staining. You can also rinse your mouth afterwards.

Your lifestyle and diet determine when you will need to top up the results of whitening treatment. If you consume a lot of staining foods and drinks, there’s a significant chance that you’ll need a top-up sooner. Tobacco is another major cause of tooth staining because the nicotine in tobacco products turns yellow when combined with oxygen and stains your teeth. Electronic cigarettes can cause stained teeth, too, if you use them for a prolonged time.

If you want to protect your newly whitened teeth, use whitening toothpaste to minimise staining. Brush your teeth twice a day and also brush them after you eat or drink something that can stain your teeth. But remember that if you consume anything acidic, it’s best to wait half an hour before brushing your teeth.

Why You Should Choose At-Home Whitening

At-home whitening treatments offer a lot of benefits. Mainly, they are more affordable than professional whitening, but if you use high-quality products, you can achieve the same results. It also saves you time on booking appointments, fitting them into your schedule, and travelling to them. Plus, if you use products from high-quality brands, such as Icy Bear, your teeth won’t feel sensitive, unlike after in–chair bleaching. You also can control how white you want your teeth to be and stop the treatment at any time if you are satisfied with the results.

FAQ

Can teeth be whitened permanently?

No, no whitening treatment provides a permanent effect. Even after a whitening treatment, the enamel of your teeth remains porous, meaning that over time all the staining foods and drinks will colour your teeth and diminish the effect of whitening. But you can use at-home whitening treatments to improve and prolong the results of in-office procedures and keep your teeth pearly white for as long as possible.

How often should teeth be whitened?

The frequency with which you should whiten your teeth depends on the whitening method you use and the lifestyle you have. Usually, at-home whitening methods should be repeated every 3-4 months to maintain the results. It’s also recommended to limit or avoid staining foods and drinks and tobacco.

Does whitening damage teeth?

No, if done properly with high-quality products, whitening doesn’t damage your teeth. For example, Icy Bear whitening strips and whitening toothpaste are very gentle on the enamel and don’t contain any harsh chemicals or abrasives. Icy Bear products also don’t cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, unlike many whitening products that use hydrogen peroxide.

Can yellow teeth become white?

Yes, with the proper whitening treatment, you can remove both intrinsic and extrinsic tooth stains. Intrinsic stains may take a little longer and may require more advanced treatment methods because they are located within the tooth itself.

How do I keep my teeth white after whitening?

It’s important to maintain healthy oral hygiene after teeth whitening to lock in the effects. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and floss them regularly. Also, try to limit staining foods and drinks, as these are the main cause of tooth stains. You can also use straws for drinks like coffee and juices to prevent direct contact with the surface of the teeth.