Is Teeth Whitening Permanent, and How Long Does It Last?

Having beautifully white teeth is something most of us long for, but the truth is, that our teeth can become discoloured very easily. Professional teeth whitening is, of course, an effective way to make sure your teeth remain sparkling and gleaming, but is teeth whitening permanent? How long does teeth whitening last?

Why do people get their teeth whitened?

Our teeth start to stain and discolour simply with ageing, but also because of the dark-coloured things we eat and drink. Smoking cigarettes and drinking lots of coffee or red wine are the biggest culprits for yellowing your teeth over time. So if you want to prevent your teeth from continuing to discolour, limit these staining suspects from your lifestyle and diet. 

Despite the yellowing of our teeth being a natural occurrence in modern life, a lot of us still desire the perfect beaming smile of our dreams. No matter how much we scrub our teeth with a specially-designed toothbrush or how many different teeth whitening mouthwashes we purchase over the counter, discoloured teeth will benefit most from professional bleaching methods. 

Your teeth will look gleamingly white after a professional teeth whitening treatment, but a lot of patients still curiously ask, “is teeth whitening permanent?” Let’s take a look at what you need to know. 

What does teeth whitening involve?

 

More and more people are turning to professional teeth whitening at the dentist, but are you aware of what permanent teeth whitening involves? 

Teeth whitening generally involves the bleaching of your teeth. The bleaching process usually contains a whitening gel that works by removing stains to make your teeth appear brighter. You can purchase DIY kits to do from home, but for an effective and safe teeth whitening London service, we recommend visiting a trusted dentist.

Rest assured that the teeth whitening treatment you receive here at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry is harmless. Performed by our expert specialists, our teeth whitening London service makes your existing teeth appear up to eight shades whiter and your smile will look healthier and shinier too.

 

Is teeth whitening permanent?

 

The simple answer to that question is no, teeth whitening is not permanent. However, if your teeth are taken care of properly, the whitening effects should last up to three years. 

The long-lasting effects of your treatment also depend on how well you maintain the health of your new whiter smile and the standard of your personal oral hygiene routine. 

What can you do to make your treatment last longer?

You should comply with your dentist’s aftercare instructions for the effects of your whitening treatment to last as long as possible. The truth is, the way you look after your teeth will affect how long your teeth stay the same shade.

The aftercare proposed by a dentist is the key to keeping your new brilliant smile. Some of the recommended steps that we here at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry propose include:

• Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day.
• Regularly visiting your dentist for routine checkups.
• Regularly scheduling a dental hygiene appointment for a scale and polish. 

However, perhaps the most important thing you can do is be conscious of your lifestyle habits:

• Avoid the food and drinks that darken and stain your teeth (red wine, coffee, dark berries, balsamic vinegar).
• Quit or cut down on smoking. 
• Drink plenty of water.

Are there any risks involved in getting your teeth whitened?

Teeth whitening at a dentist is widely considered a perfectly safe practice, as long as the practice is registered with the General Dental Council. You can check if your dentist is registered with the GDC by looking at the online register. 

The biggest concerns for teeth whitening involve the risks of DIY home kits. Most whitening gels include the active ingredient of peroxide, and some studies have shown that it can cause mild irritation and sensitivity if used incorrectly. That’s why we suggest seeking professional teeth whitening at a dentist to avoid any adverse reactions usually caused by home kits. 

We here at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry are aware that professional teeth whitening can still cause sensitivity in some patients. That’s why we use the technologically advanced Nu Radiance Duet, a unique whitening system that’s specially formulated to prevent the sensitivity that is sometimes caused by standard teeth whitening formulas. It will give you stunning results in just 5-8 days and it also contains calcium peroxide, an ingredient that is clinically proven to remineralise and strengthen your teeth.

Should you get your teeth whitened?

 

Anyone that desires a whiter and brighter smile is a good candidate for teeth whitening, but there are a few exceptions:

• You need to be over the age of 18 to have most cosmetic teeth whitening procedures. However, this restriction does depend on the individual circumstance.
• You should have good oral health and your teeth and gums should be in a healthy state. 
• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid and delay their treatment. This is because there are some concerns that bleach products can affect the health of your baby.

Please also be aware that if you are advised against professional bleaching, there are other options available including the use of whitening veneers to treat discolouration.

Contact us today 

Now that we’ve answered the common questions of “is teeth whitening permanent?” and “how long does teeth whitening last?”, it’s over to you to decide whether getting your teeth whitened is the right choice for you. 

Our experienced teeth whitening dental team here at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry is always happy to answer any questions you may have about our teeth whitening London service.

Please feel free to give us a call on 020 7722 1235 or visit our website for more information.

We can’t wait to help make your new beaming white smile a genuine one!