Nobody, we repeat, nobody likes to have stained or discoloured teeth. It’s not only an aesthetic issue, but it can also take a toll on your self-confidence. So, teeth whitening might be something you are leaning towards. And you may be wondering, “how long does teeth whitening take?“
The quick answer is that it depends. It depends on the type of treatment you choose and the severity of staining. It could be one appointment or a few weeks.
How Can I Whiten My Teeth?
There are several ways you can go about this. You can whiten your teeth at the dentist or at home (after a consultation with your dentist, of course). While over-the-counter whitening kits are widely available and popular, we always recommend investing in professional teeth whitening because other treatments can do more harm than good.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are of two types:
1. In-Chair Teeth Whitening
Or whitening your teeth at the dentist’s office.
Professional in-chair whitening at the dentist is one of the safest, fastest and most effective ways to achieve a whiter smile. All you need to do is book an appointment, sit in the chair for about 90 minutes and walk out with a visibly brighter smile.
But it’s not that simple. When you come in for your appointment, our dentist will begin with an initial oral examination. Then, we’ll carefully apply a whitening gel to your teeth while keeping your gums protected. After that, your dentist will use a UV light to activate the bleaching agent and speed up the process.
Done properly, this can lift your shade visibly in a single session, which is why many choose this option before a big event, wedding, or just because.
2. At-Home Whitening Kits
Some people don’t want to sit in a chair. That’s what take-home kits are for. If you prefer whitening your teeth in the comfort of your home, you can opt for a take-home whitening kit provided by your dentist (keywords being “provided by your dentist”)
Off-the-shelf whitening kits are a different story and not one we’d recommend. But those provided by your dentist? Yes, because they are designed specifically for you and come with custom trays tailored to your teeth.
How Long Will It Take to Whiten My Teeth?
The answer depends on the treatment type, the degree of tooth discolouration, the target shade you intend to achieve, and how well you follow your dentist’s instructions.
Typically:
- In-chair whitening is completed in just one appointment. Treatment can take about 1-2 hours, after which you’ll see visible results. If you have heavily stained teeth, you may need to return for another appointment.
- With at-home whitening kits, you may begin to see results around the 1 week mark. Best results take about 2-4 weeks to show. However, this is only if you follow the dentist’s advice properly.
What Factors Affect the Teeth Whitening Timeline?
- Severity of Staining: The degree of discolouration will determine the timeline. Severe teeth stains from years of coffee, wine and other sauces can take longer than milder stains.
- Type of Whitening: In-office whitening delivers much faster results while at-home whitening takes more time.
- Individual Factors: Each patient responds differently to treatment. If your tooth enamel is more porous, the bleaching agent will work more effectively. But if you have conditions like tooth sensitivity, our dentists will take a gradual approach and treat any existing conditions first.
Every mouth is different, which is why we conduct a thorough examination and consultation before treatment begins.
How Can I Make The Results Last Longer?
Teeth whitening isn’t something you can do once and expect it to last forever. How you treat your smile afterwards can make a huge difference in how long your whitening lasts.
Here are a few things you can do at home:
- Brush your teeth twice daily (and after having anything that stains)
- Floss daily because plaque can easily absorb pigments from food and drinks that stain
- Rinse with water after having tea, coffee, wine or dark sauces if you can’t brush right away
So, how long will whitening take? To be honest, it depends on where you’re starting from and what you’re going for. If you are not sure, that’s exactly what the consultation is for.
When you come to Ashgrove Dental, we will examine your teeth, talk you through your goals and give you a timeline specific to you. Want a clear idea of how long whitening will take for you? Give us a call or schedule a consultation today.
