When people consider teeth whitening, they often think about how long it will take to achieve their desired results. However, there’s another question to ask about timelines: How long will the whitening last?

The answer is different depending on your behavior and which whitening method you choose.

Type of Stain

There are two forms of tooth stain: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic stains are only on the outside of your teeth — things like food and drink cause these. Most whitening treatments only attack this type of stain. Because these stains build up after repeated exposure to environmental factors, you can slow the rate at which they redevelop.

Intrinsic stains go deep inside your teeth. They come from things like infection, medication, injury, and aging. Removing them is difficult, though some treatments are effective.

 

Whitening Strips From the Store

The effects of whitening strips typically last up to four months. This treatment usually focuses only on extrinsic stains. Some of the higher-quality options also impact the outermost layer of intrinsic stains, and their effects can last up to six months.

Custom at-Home Whitening With Help From Your Anchorage Dentist

If you get personalized at-home whitening trays from your dentist in Anchorage, the results might last longer than a year. Your dentist can use more potent whitening agents than what you’d find at the store.

 

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening lasts the longest. Because your dentist in Anchorage AK is performing the procedure, they can use the most powerful whitening agents. Your dentist might also use light or heat to strengthen the whitening agents. With this method, your results could last up to three years.

 

Your Behavior

Your lifestyle choices impact how long teeth whitening will last. For example, if you have coffee every morning and wine every evening, your teeth will start to yellow again in short order. To avoid new stains as long as possible, avoid the following:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Vaping
• Grape juice
• Soda

Though you probably already brush your teeth twice a day, you might want to up your tooth hygiene even further to avoid stains:

Brush after consuming stain-causing food and drink.

If you’ve eaten something acidic, wait half an hour to brush.

Rinse your mouth after each meal.

Chew sugar-free gum.

Conclusion

Depending on the method you choose, tooth whitening can last anywhere from four months to three years. Ask your Anchorage dentist for help picking the right option. To extend the whitening effects, pay attention to oral hygiene habits and avoid substances that create stains.