Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

It’s normal for teeth to discolour over time. Teeth are slightly porous, so they can pick up stains from food, drinks, cigarettes and the bacteria in your mouth.

While a little bit of discolouration is normal, teeth whitening is a simple way to get the smile you’ve been dreaming of!

Having your teeth whitened by a dentist is very effective. The results are long-lasting, but are they permanent?

In this article, we’ll discuss whether teeth whitening is permanent, and some of the things you can do to keep your smile looking bright.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Teeth whitening isn’t permanent. Depending on the whitening treatment used, the results may start to fade after 6-12 months or so. The results differ for everyone, and the duration depends on things like your diet and oral hygiene habits.

Your teeth are especially prone to staining immediately after a whitening procedure. Follow your dentist’s instructions about eating, drinking and caring for your teeth. This will ensure your teeth stay brighter for longer!

What Causes Discoloured Teeth?

It’s normal for your teeth to be a slightly off-white colour. It’s also normal for this off-white colour to darken or become slightly yellow as you age. There are many things that can cause your teeth to become discoloured, including:

Drinking tea, coffee, wine and soft drinks
Eating strongly coloured foods like beetroot, berries and certain spices (e.g. turmeric)
Smoking cigarettes and vaping
Damage or injuries to your teeth
Certain antibiotics are also known to discolour teeth if they are taken as a child

Acidic food and drink (e.g. soft drinks and fruit) will weaken your teeth enamel over time. This can cause teeth to darken. While some amount of tooth discolouration is normal, you should talk to your dentist if you are concerned or unhappy with your smile.

How Teeth Whitening Works

Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in most tooth whitening products. It works by breaking down and oxidising stains in the enamel layer without damaging your teeth.

In-chair and at-home teeth whitening treatments both use hydrogen peroxide. The difference is the concentration. In-chair products often have a hydrogen peroxide content of 35% or more. At-home products have a lower concentration of around 6-10%.

Increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide increases the effectiveness of the reaction. This is why in-chair teeth whitening only requires one application, while an at-home kit can take 3-6 weeks to achieve the desired result.

Tips for Maintaining Teeth Whitening Results

You can make your teeth whitening treatment last longer with proper care. Here are a list of things to avoid for the first 48-hours after your teeth whitening treatment:

Drinking tea, coffee, soft drink, wine and fruit juice
Eating soy sauce, fruit, cured meats and chocolate
Cigarettes and vaping
Coloured toothpaste and mouthwash

The longer you avoid these things, the longer your teeth whitening results will last.

In addition to the foods and drinks you need to avoid, you can extend your teeth whitening with proper oral hygiene. This includes:

Brushing your teeth twice a day with water and undyed toothpaste
Flossing your teeth
Using undyed mouthwash
Having your teeth whitening touched up every 6 months or so

Your dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your teeth during and after the whitening process. If you are using an at-home teeth whitening kit, you’ll need to be careful about consuming food, drinks and cigarettes for the duration of your treatment.

Alternative Solutions for Longer-Lasting Whitening

If your teeth are very discoloured, unsuitable for whitening or if you want a permanent solution, dental veneers are the answer.

Dental veneers are a shell made from composite resin or porcelain. These shells are shaped to cover the front surface of your teeth and give you the perfect smile!

Because veneers are custom made in a dental laboratory, you can choose the exact size, shape and colour of your new teeth. Veneers are also extremely stain-resistant, so they’ll stay white for years to come.

Talk to your dentist about veneers to see if they’re the right solution for your teeth.

Get the Bright Smile You Deserve at Camira Dental!

We understand that the look of your smile can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself. Teeth whitening is a great way to brighten your smile and boost your confidence!

Camira Dental is a local dentist in Ipswich. We offer a range of cosmetic dentistry options, including in-chair and at-home teeth whitening.

When you book a whitening appointment, we’ll assess your teeth and make a recommendation on which whitening treatment is right for you. Our in-chair options are fast and very effective. Or we can set you up with a safe, at-home solution that will have your smile looking bright in no time!