Thinking about whitening your teeth? You’re in good company! A brighter smile is one of the most common goals in cosmetic dentistry, and, luckily, one of the most achievable. But how does teeth whitening work, and how long will it take to reach your ideal shine? Continue reading to see what can affect your whitening treatment timeline so you can plan your smile transformation with confidence.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Before diving into the factors that can affect the results of your whitening treatment, it’s a good idea to know how it all works.
Your teeth are less solid than you might think! They’re actually full of microscopic holes called pores. These are similar to the pores of your skin, and they allow your teeth to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Unfortunately, pigments from food and drinks can also sneak in and get stuck in the pores, causing stains.
Whitening treatments use chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to penetrate the enamel through the pores. From there, the trapped pigments are broken down and lifted away.
The Whitening Method You Choose Matters
There are many kinds of whitening, from over-the-counter strips and gels to professional treatments.
While you may eventually see results regardless of your whitening method, store-bought products require more time in general. This often leads to overuse, causing sensitivity and enamel wear.
Professional treatments, on the other hand, use custom trays and professional-strength gel. This is used over a period of days or weeks, and results build gradually, with most patients seeing full effects in one to two weeks.
Whitening Times Vary with Maintenance
Teeth naturally stain over time. If you’re not doing anything at home to mitigate re-staining, like brushing and flossing to mitigate re-staining like brushing and flossing or watching what you drink, your whitening will take longer.
On the flip side, if you’ve already had whitening done, stain-causing foods and beverages can reverse your results quickly.
Your Starting Shade Matters
Teeth with mild surface stains may only need one round of whitening to reach noticeable brightness. But if your teeth are heavily stained from things like coffee, wine, or tobacco, you may need a longer whitening regimen to reach your goal.
Every smile is different, and so is every whitening journey. Whether you’re going for subtle brightening or a full red-carpet glow, your dentist can create a whitening plan tailored to your goals and timeline.
About the Practice
Dr. Marc Moulton is a dedicated dentist with over 30 years of experience helping patients achieve smiles they can be proud of. He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. Today, he continues to expand his skills through ongoing training with the Spear Institute and the American Dental Association. Call (205) 988-3360 to schedule an appointment at Moulton Dentistry of Hoover or visit our website to learn more.