How many times do you need to get your teeth whitened?

Getting your teeth whitened can dramatically brighten your smile and boost your confidence. But teeth whitening doesn’t last forever, so you’ll need to get repeated treatments periodically to maintain the results. So how often should you get your teeth whitened? Here’s a look at the factors that determine how many whitening treatments you’ll need.

How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?

On average, teeth whitening results can last from 9 months to 3 years. However, there is quite a bit of variability from person to person. Here are some of the factors that influence how long teeth whitening lasts:

  • Type of teeth whitening treatment – In-office whitening done by a dentist generally lasts 1-3 years, while over-the-counter whitening strips or gels may last only 6-9 months.
  • Color of your natural teeth – People with yellow-toned teeth tend to get longer lasting results than those with grey or brown-toned teeth.
  • Thickness of your enamel – Thinner enamel allows stains to penetrate deeper, making them harder to remove and quicker to return.
  • Frequency of smoking or coffee drinking – Smoking and coffee stain teeth more quickly, meaning the whitening results fade faster.
  • Diligence with follow-up care – Maintaining good oral hygiene and limiting staining foods/drinks helps preserve the whitening.

As you can see, there are many variables that determine how long you can expect professionally whitened teeth to stay white. Some people may only need occasional touch-up treatments once a year, while others may need more frequent whitening every 4-6 months.

Professional In-Office Whitening

Getting your teeth whitened by your dentist in-office is the fastest and most dramatic way to whiten. Many dentists use a hydrogen peroxide gel at high concentrations of 15-40%. The entire process takes about 1 hour.

These are the general guidelines for how often you’ll need in-office whitening touch-ups:

  • If you have yellow-toned teeth – Every 12-24 months
  • If you have light grey or brownish-toned teeth – Every 6-12 months
  • If you smoke or drink coffee/wine – Every 6-12 months

Of course, this can vary substantially by individual. It’s best to get your dentist’s professional recommendation based on the unique characteristics of your teeth.

Whitening Strips & Gels

Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels from brands like Crest and Colgate are affordable alternatives you can do in the comfort of your own home. However, they are slower acting and the results don’t last as long as professional in-office whitening.

Here’s a general timeline for how often you’ll need to repeat treatment with whitening strips or gels:

  • If you have yellow-toned teeth – Every 9-12 months
  • If you have light grey or brownish-toned teeth – Every 6-9 months
  • If you smoke or drink coffee/wine – Every 3-6 months

Note that the above frequency recommendations are for full treatment cycles. Some people choose to use whitening strips or gels periodically (such as once a week) for whitening maintenance between full treatments.

Other Professional Whitening Options

In addition to in-office whitening, your dentist may offer other professional whitening techniques that can lengthen the duration of results:

  • Take-home whitening trays – Your dentist makes custom-fitted trays and provides a pro-level hydrogen peroxide gel to use at home for 1-2 weeks. Can last 12-24 months.
  • Whitening toothpastes – Special toothpastes with polishing agents gently buff away stains with regular use. Can maintain results 3-6 months.
  • Laser whitening – A dentist applies hydrogen peroxide, then activates it with laser light. May last 18-36 months.

Lifestyle Habits That Preserve Whitening

In addition to the type of whitening method used, your everyday lifestyle habits play a big role in how long your bright smile will last. Here are some tips to get the most longevity out of your whitening treatment:

  • Brush with a whitening toothpaste daily
  • Floss thoroughly every day
  • Avoid staining foods/drinks like coffee, red wine, dark berries, tomato sauce
  • Quit smoking if you smoke cigarettes or cigars
  • Drink beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine through a straw to avoid contact with teeth
  • Rinse your mouth with water after consuming staining foods or drinks
  • Get regular dental cleanings every 6 months

Being meticulous with your at-home oral hygiene regimen and limiting teeth staining will help you go longer between professional whitening sessions.

When to Get a Touch Up

The timing of when you’ll need your next whitening session depends on your satisfaction with the current shade and brightness of your smile. Some general guidelines for when to get a touch up include:

  • If teeth appear discolored or dull
  • If teeth are no longer as white as you desire
  • If teeth staining is gradually returning
  • If a special event like a wedding or vacation is approaching

However, there’s no need to over-whiten your teeth. If you’re happy with the current shade and brightness, you can wait until it noticeably dims again before repeating treatment. This helps minimize sensitivity from over-whitening.

Risks of Over-Whitening

While lightening your teeth can brighten your smile, overdoing it too frequently carries some risks and side effects:

  • Tooth sensitivity – Excessive use of hydrogen peroxide can make teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods/drinks.
  • Gum irritation – Hydrogen peroxide can irritate gums and cause redness or soreness if whitening is done too often.
  • Damage to enamel – Frequent whitening can weaken tooth enamel over time, leading to decay.
  • “Zombie” teeth – Excessive whitening can give teeth an unnatural greyish-blue tint.

That’s why it’s generally recommended not to get your teeth whitened more than 2-4 times per year. Following your dentist’s advice can help avoid over-whitening.

Cost of Teeth Whitening

The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment and who performs it. Here’s an overview of the average fees for different whitening options:

Whitening Method Average Cost
In-office whitening (dentist visit) $500-$1,000 per session
Take-home whitening trays (from dentist) $400-$800
Over-the-counter whitening strips/gels $10-$100

As you can see, professional whitening from your dentist is an investment. However, it also provides longer-lasting whitening with dramatically brighter results. Over-the-counter options cost much less but require re-treatment more frequently.

Whitening Methods Compared

Considering all of these factors – cost, effectiveness, and duration – which teeth whitening method provides the best value overall? Here’s a quick comparison:

Method Cost Whitening Power Duration
In-office (dentist visit) Expensive Very high 12-36 months
Take-home trays Moderate High 12-24 months
Whitening strips/gels Cheap Low-moderate 3-12 months

In-office whitening provides the longest lasting brightening with dramatic results. While costly, it may be the best value over time since re-treatment is needed less often. Take-home trays are a more affordable compromise. Whitening strips or gels require the most frequent re-use for maintenance.

Consult Your Dentist

While the averages provided here are helpful guidelines, remember that your individual needs may vary. Be sure to consult with your dentist about your teeth and lifestyle to determine the optimal whitening method and frequency for you. Factors like the natural color of your teeth, rate of staining, and sensitivity will impact your ideal whitening regimen.

Working collaboratively with your dentist can help you achieve your desired shade in the healthiest, most time- and cost-effective way possible. With professional guidance and adherence to whitening best practices, you can enjoy a radiant, dazzling smile for years to come.

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