Today, there are several ways to whiten teeth, but the main question patients ask is: how to keep teeth white for as long as possible after whitening?
The duration of results does not depend solely on the method you chose, but mostly on your daily habits.
Factors That Affect Tooth Color After Whitening
Smoking
Smokers often develop dark stains on their teeth that cannot be removed by brushing alone, but only through professional cleaning at the dentist’s office. If you don’t smoke, the whitening effect will last much longer.
Dark-colored drinks
Coffee, tea, and red wine negatively affect both natural tooth color and whitened teeth. Coffee has less impact if consumed with milk.
You can still enjoy dark drinks, but make sure to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water afterward. A useful tip is to use a straw, as it reduces contact between the liquid and your teeth.
At-home oral hygiene
Regular and thorough brushing, along with the use of dental floss and interdental brushes, significantly prolongs the whitening effect.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for a few minutes, making sure to clean all surfaces. The toothpaste itself is not the key factor in maintaining whiteness – what matters most is consistency and thoroughness.
Regular dental visits
For stains that cannot be removed at home, your dentist will perform cleaning using ultrasound, air blasting and tooth polishing. These procedures are non-invasive and do not damage the tooth.
Two professional cleanings per year are usually enough to maintain whitening results.
Fillings and crowns after whitening
It is important to note that existing fillings and ceramic crowns do not change color during whitening.
If you have a filling or crown on a front tooth that shows when you smile or speak, it may need to be replaced afterward, as it will no longer match the whitened teeth. The best time to do this is at least 10 days after completing the whitening process.
How long does the whitening effect last?
The longevity of whitening results depends on the structure and original shade of your teeth, as well as your habits after treatment. There is no fixed timeframe, as it varies from person to person.
For patients who maintain good oral hygiene, the whitening effect can last for several years. Once the color changes again, the whitening process can always be repeated.
