Teeth whitening treatments are not a permanent solution but they can be long-lasting, if you take good care of your teeth.

Many people lose self-confidence due to the appearance of their teeth, but good teeth whitening techniques can easily restore a good-looking smile. Teeth whitening is much like bleaching tooth discolouration away. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the top teeth whitening agents that doctors usually use. The effect of these substances is long-lasting and does not have any adverse reaction to the insides of your mouth. The cost of teeth whitening all depends on your dentist, the type of procedure you're going for and how many times you are getting it. If you're looking for a professional teeth whitening expert like a dentist to do it for you then the price range is usually around $800. If you'd rather do it at home then the price usually stands between $400 and $500. An over the counter teeth whitening kit costs about $100.

Is teeth whitening permanent?

Teeth whitening treatment is not a permanent solution but it can be long-lasting if you take good care of your teeth. If you practice good oral hygiene after you get the teeth whitening done by the dentist, chances are that you will have lasting white teeth. The longevity of the procedure depends on two things.

  • Your habits.

  • The procedure chosen.

  • Current teeth condition.

If the staining is intrinsic, then it might be difficult to remove the stains. Intrinsic stains appear because of ageing, trauma, and infections. But can go away with the right kind of treatment. Extrinsic stains are superficial and mostly stain teeth because of the type of food one consumes. This type is easy to treat and most whiteners work on superficial staining. Following is a list of the common teeth whitening procedures and the duration in which they usually last.

Procedure

Results

Whitening toothpaste

Can last for up to 3 to 4 months

Whitening strips

Can last up to 6 months

Whitening pens

Undetermined

At-home whitening gel-tray

Can last up to 12 months

Chairside bleaching

Can last between 1 to 3 years

What type of teeth whitening should I get?

Discolouration of the teeth is unavoidable but your oral hygiene goes a long way into treating it. If you take care of your teeth you can keep the staining under control. The teeth do not contain a hard smooth exterior but are rather porous. These pores tend to get clogged over time. In this case, getting a professional teeth whitening expert to make your teeth shine again is a pretty simple process. Even if you just start with a simple clean your teeth will look much better.

There are many types of teeth whitening procedures you can get, some of these at-home procedures are below.

Custom fit tray bleaching

These trays contain the whitening product and are directly fitted to the teeth having a direct effect. The process is quite reliable because the product is not lost and remains fitted on the denture. On the downside, however, the trays may rub against the gum, causing irritation. The hydrogen peroxide can cause soreness over longer use.

Whitening strips

This whitening treatment uses strips that can sit at the top and bottom of the teeth. The results can start showing in just three days. The treatment is ideal if you are pressed for time and much rather do it all at home.

Whitening toothpaste

The process is not as apparent as the others and you will have to wait for some time to see the results.

Is dentist whitening worth it?

It is a common question to consider which type of procedure to get, the at-home one, or book the appointment with the dentist. While the price is the main consideration of many people, the quality of the procedure you get and the longevity of the treatment also matters. Pus, the dentist can also look after any issues, such as fillings easily. At-home treatments or over-the-counter ones do not have the same effects that a trained dentist can give. There are a bunch of reasons why.
  • While it is easy to try the whitening treatment at home, the results are never the same or remotely close to what you get at an in-chair appointment.

  • Some whitening treatments are not that good for the rest of your mouth. They dehydrate the gums and the adjacent skin which can be very uncomfortable.

  • At-home procedures do not last long. Treatment from your dentist can last for 1 to 3 years.

  • The at-home procedures are time-consuming and you will be required to do multiple applications before you come close to the results.

  • The cost of teeth whitening may appear to be less with at-home treatment, but multiple applications over the course of months will eventually cost.

How long does teeth whitening take?

It is a common question that many people consider that how much does teeth whitening take? The answer depends on multiple factors, such as:

  • Condition of your teeth.

  • Type of staining you have.

  • Procedure you are opting for.

Professional teeth whitening will take up to 1 or 2 sittings to complete. It's a completely safe procedure that would not harm your gums, tongue or skin. Usually, after just a couple of hours, you will get the desired results.