Teeth whitening in London is the most effective way to achieve a brighter, fresher-looking smile. Before our patients start this treatment, they often ask us, ‘how long does teeth whitening last?’.
Read on to learn the answer to this burning question, along with five ways to keep your smile sparkling brightly for years to come.
How long does teeth whitening last?
It depends on the treatment you choose. We offer Enlighten whitening, which can last up to five years before your teeth return to their original colour.
Maintaining a perfect pearly-white hue depends on how you care for your teeth. Here are our top five ways to get the most out of your whitening treatment:
Steer clear of certain foods and drinks
Avoid dark-hued foods and drinks such as wine, curry, cola, tea, soy sauce, berries, and tomatoes. The chemical compounds in these products – and their high acidity levels – mean they’re sure to stain your teeth. This will show up clearly on a freshly whitened set.
If you can’t avoid staining drinks, try and consume them through a straw to limit contact with your teeth.
Always look for alternatives wherever possible – swap cola for water, for instance. You can also try to limit the consumption of sugary and acidic drinks and snacks to mealtimes, as this will prevent frequent acid attacks on your teeth.
Eating crunchy vegetables and chewing gum between meals will encourage saliva production, washing away acids and bacteria.
Book a dental hygienist appointment
We know our stuff about teeth whitening in London, and we will never whiten your teeth unless they’re free of decay and disease.
Regular dental hygienist appointments are the best way to keep your teeth free of stains in the first instance. If you already have some staining and decide to whiten your teeth, visiting the hygienist every three to six months will ensure they retain their perfect new colour.
During your dental hygienist appointment, you will receive a thorough teeth clean and extensive oral health advice to help you maintain the shade of your smile from home.
Nail your brushing technique
Between one dental hygienist appointment and the next, brushing is the thing that will keep your teeth plaque-free.
Remember: always use an electric toothbrush if possible. The bristles rotate faster than a manual toothbrush, which allows you to brush away surface stains before they have a chance to establish themselves.
Remember to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush, especially where sugary and acidic foods and drinks are concerned. Your enamel softens when it comes into contact with bacteria – brushing too quickly after eating can damage this vital protective layer.
Give up smoking
This might sound like an obvious one, but we can’t emphasise how much of a difference it makes.
If you are going to smoke after you have teeth whitening, bear in mind that the staining will come back – and it won’t take long for this to happen.
Many people are switching to vapes, although these can contain nicotine which will eventually cause some degree of staining.
We recommend giving up completely, if possible. The NHS offers useful advice and information to help you quit.
Top-up your treatment from home
When choosing teeth whitening in London, you will often have the option to purchase top-up whitening gels. You can apply these at home when your smile needs a boost of brightness.
At Ten Dental, we take impressions and give you custom-made bleaching trays that fit over your teeth. You can then use these whenever you like and get Enlightening top-up gels directly through us, to keep your teeth at their optimum shade.
Where to get teeth whitening in London
At Ten Dental, our experts will advise you on the most suitable treatments to help you achieve a smile you feel confident with.
With three practices in the London area, we offer quality teeth whitening in Wandsworth, Clapham and Balham.
To find out more about our professional teeth whitening services, get in touch with our team via the contact page on our website.