How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

There’s something about a beautiful, bright, fresh off-the-runway smile. A white, healthy-looking smile makes you feel more confident and ready to take on the world. It’s no wonder that tooth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services available.

For some people, tooth whitening is significant for special occasions like weddings and reunions. Other people like to do periodic whitening to sustain a bright smile all year long. Regardless of how often you whiten your teeth and whether you are an occasional whitener or a frequent one, knowing how long results last matters. 

In this blog, Dr. Marcano at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry unpacks the topic of teeth whitening so you can better understand your options and draw your own conclusions about what’s right for you. 

Tooth whitening explained

An excellent place to start this discussion is the many diverse options available to whiten your teeth. There are so many options available that for the person new to tooth whitening, it can be a little overwhelming. Generally, the possibilities are really about whether you are a do-it-yourselfer who wants to manage the process at home or if you prefer to do a chair-side in-office treatment with your dental provider. 

Over-the-counter whitening products like whitening trays and gels are available from retail stores. Some dental providers offer custom-made whitening trays that patients can use at home as well. When thinking through the where and how for your whitening, keep in mind that your individual goals may be the deciding factor.

The most significant difference between over-the-counter products and in-office whitening services is the strength of the whitening agent and how long it takes to get optimal results. If your teeth are dull and heavily stained, then professional in-office whitening may be your best bet. 

One appointment away from bright, dazzling teeth

Here at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Marcano and the team help our patients brighten their teeth using one of the industry’s most popular teeth whitening systems – Philips ZOOM! With ZOOM! in the course of a single appointment, we can whiten your teeth up to about eight shades.

A whitening session plays out in about an hour. After covering your gums and tongue with a rubber sheet, we start by applying a whitening solution to your teeth. Then we allow the solution to sit for about 20 minutes. Finally, we activate the solution using a special ultraviolet light, which breaks up stains. We’ll repeat these steps a few times until we achieve the desired whitening goals.

Eliminates the guesswork of over-the-counter and DIY whiteners

If you’ve ever tried whitening your teeth on your own, then you know that getting the results you want can be tricky, depending on the source of discoloration or staining. And in some cases, staining due to things like medication can be nearly impossible to remove with DIY whiteners and over-the-counter products. The whole process can be hit or miss and can be quite frustrating. For this reason, some patients choose to ditch the frustration and guesswork in favor of in-office chair-side whitening services like ZOOM!

Professional, long-lasting results

Getting the results you want is great, but once whitened, just how long can you expect them to stay that way? Although it varies from patient to patient, depending on what process you use to whiten your teeth, you can significantly extend the results with vigilant at-home oral care like brushing and flossing and going to the dentist every six months for a professional cleaning. Generally, ZOOM! whitening lasts at least four to six months.

If your teeth are dull and stained, contact us at Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry for a teeth-whitening consultation, and we’ll help you recapture your bright, healthy-looking smile. Schedule an appointment by clicking the online booking tool or calling the office today at 407-855-1471.