How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?

How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Posted on 06/06/2023

If you want to have a bright, radiant smile, we can help! West Gate Dental is one of the best clinics for cosmetic dentistry in Lincoln NE, and teeth whitening is among our services. Dr. Rebecca Sowers would be happy to serve as your West Lincoln dentist.

How Teeth Whitening Works

You might be familiar with over-the-counter products like teeth whitening strips. They use special ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to lift stains from the surfaces of your teeth. There are also teeth whitening procedures that you can get from a dentist that involve things like special fitting delivery trays.

At West Gate Dental, we use teeth whitening agents applied to a dental tray as a kind of "paste." We also have prescription strength whitening strips. The concentration of the paste/strips is higher than what you'll find in over-the-counter strips or gels. Under our indirect supervision, you'll keep the dental tray in your mouth while the whitening agents do their work.

How Long Teeth Whitening Lasts

If you've scheduled a teeth whitening procedure at West Gate Dental, you might be wondering how long it'll last.

Generally speaking, professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from 1 - 3 years.  If you get on a regular schedule for teeth whitening, you can prevent them from becoming visibly yellow again. This is one of the benefits of routine cosmetic dentistry in Lincoln NE.

A big factor in the longevity of your teeth whitening is why your teeth are discolored in the first place.

Common Causes for Yellow Teeth

There can be many reasons for discolored teeth. What's more, how the discoloration occurs can have an impact on how quickly a whitening agent fades away.

Here are a few potential reasons for discolored teeth:

  • Tooth decay
  • Tobacco use
  • Dark-colored foods and beverages
  • Diseases and medications
  • Aging
  • Genetics

As you can see, some of these issues are more easily resolved than others. Some are also more likely to cause re-staining in your newly whitened teeth. This is why we recommend cutting back on things like coffee and tea after you've had your teeth treated by us!

Enjoying a Brighter Smile

If you're looking for a West Lincoln dentist that can restore your smile to its former glory, reach out to Dr. Rebecca Sowers at West Gate Dental in Lincoln, Nebraska.