When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked survey participants what they would like to improve about their smile, the most common response was: whiter, brighter teeth. If you are thinking about whitening your teeth or have already begun treatment, what should you know about whitening frequency? How often is too often to whiten your teeth?
How Often Can You Whiten Your Teeth?
How often you whiten your teeth depends on your phase in the whitening process. You will whiten more frequently when you begin treatment, remembering to wait for the color to stabilize before you keep whitening your teeth. Afterward, you will decrease the whitening frequency for touchups throughout your lifetime.
Beginning whitening treatment
Your dentist will recommend a frequency for in-office or take-home treatment when you begin whitening.
- In-office – Your dentist will do in-office whitening, often in three to four 15- to 20-minute sessions. Let the color stabilize to see if you have reached the desired brightness. Depending on how bright you want your smile, your dentist may recommend continuing whitening at home for up to two weeks. Also, you may need to return to the dental office for another whitening session.
- At-home whitening – You will use bleaching gel and trays to whiten your teeth daily or nightly for two weeks. Depending on the bleaching gel strength and your tooth sensitivity, you will leave the gel on for 30 minutes or more.
Teeth whitening touchups
Periodic touchups at home will keep your smile bright. Your dentist can provide custom bleaching trays. Custom trays offer these benefits:
- Even coverage during whitening
- Maximum penetration of the bleaching gel into your teeth
- Protecting your gums from exposure to the gel and burns
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening lasts six months to two years. But each person’s case is different. If you drink coffee or tea or use tobacco products, those habits will stain your teeth, and you may need to do whitening touchups more often.
Can You Whiten Your Teeth Too Much?
Yes, you can over-whiten your teeth with bleaching gel. The American Dental Association cautions that excessive whitening can have these effects:
- Tooth-nerve irritation
- Sensitivity
- Tooth enamel damage
- Gum irritation
If you begin to feel increased sensitivity from whitening your teeth, your dentist may recommend one or more of these remedies:
- Give your teeth a break and stop bleaching them
- Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth before and after bleaching
- Fluoride treatments to reduce sensitivity
- A lower strength bleaching gel
- Pre-bleaching conditioning gel
Conclusion
Whitening your teeth is an excellent option for a smile makeover. But do not overdo it. Follow instructions from your dentist or the bleaching gel manufacturer for safe whitening that will not harm your teeth or gums.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.