How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last and How to Maintain Them

Have you recently had your teeth whitened and wondered how long the glow will last? Or maybe you’re planning your first teeth whitening treatment and want to make sure the results stick around?

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments in Australia for different reasons. There are approximately 22% Australians who get their teeth whitened.

But like any treatment, its longevity depends on how you care for your teeth afterward.

So, how long do teeth whitening results last? Let’s take a deep dive about this and know the best ways to maintain them.

What Happens During a Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment?

Before we talk about how long the results last, let’s briefly explain what a professional teeth whitening treatment is, particularly the custom take-home whitening kits offered at Whitehorse Dental.

Let’s look at a typical process of teeth whitening using the take-home whitening kits:

1. Firstly, we will check and examine your teeth if they are good for teeth whitening. Once we see that they are, we will take a mould of your top and bottom teeth.
2. From this mould, we create custom-fitted trays that fit your teeth like a glove.
3. Once your mould is ready, you will be given syringes of whitening gels, your personalised trays and an instruction card for you to be guided on your teeth whitening journey. 
4. At home, you place a whitening gel into these trays and wear them either:
   • Overnight (slow release)
   • Or for 2 hours during the day (faster release)

Because these trays are custom-made to fit your teeth exactly, the whitening gel stays in close contact with the enamel, allowing the use of a high enough concentration to work effectively. This leads to a chemical reaction inside the enamel, resulting in a permanent change in colour.

What is Inside These Whitening Gels?

Whitening gels used in professional teeth whitening treatments usually contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which are bleaching agents that whiten the teeth. These ingredients work by breaking down stains in the enamel through an oxidation reaction, releasing oxygen molecules that lift deep discolouration from inside the tooth.

This process is what gives teeth their visibly whiter appearance, often after just a few uses. Because the gel stays in close contact with the enamel (thanks to custom-fitted trays), it allows for a deeper and more even whitening effect compared to over-the-counter products.

So, How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

The good news with using a professional take-home whitening kit is that after using it, the whitening results are pretty permanent.  

Unlike over-the-counter whitening strips or toothpaste that only remove surface stains, custom whitening kits target the deeper layers of the tooth. This allows for a more thorough and long-lasting result.

However, it’s important to remember that no whitening result lasts forever because our teeth are constantly exposed to food, drink, and daily wear. Over time, your teeth may start to appear less bright, but the original change in colour is permanent. What usually happens is that you become used to your whiter teeth, and after a while, you might feel like they are not as white as before, even if they have not changed much.

So, how do you maintain it? Here’s what our dentists at Whitehorse Dental can recommend.

How to Maintain White Teeth After Whitening

Maintaining a white smile does not have to be expensive or complicated. Here’s how you can keep your results for as long as possible after your customised take-home whitening kit gels are gone:

1. Do Touch-Up Whitening After Your Dental Clean

After a professional teeth cleaning, your teeth are free from plaque and surface stains. This makes it the perfect time to do a whitening top-up because the gel can come into direct contact with the enamel without any barriers.

Most patients only need to do a touch-up once or twice a year, usually after a dental clean. If you’re someone who enjoys dark-coloured drinks frequently, you might benefit from more regular maintenance.

The beauty of having a custom take-home kit is that you’re in control of how white you want your teeth to be. You can top up your whitening safely at home whenever you feel your smile needs a refresh.

At Whitehorse Dental, many patients do a short touch-up treatment (about 3–7 days) after every professional clean. If you still have your custom trays, all you need is a refill of the whitening gel, which is only $50 for two syringes.

2. Avoid Foods and Drinks That Stain

While you don’t have to cut them out completely, limiting certain foods and drinks can help your smile stay whiter for longer. Some of them includes:

• Coffee and tea (especially black)
• Red wine
• Turmeric-rich foods
• Soy sauce and dark berries

If you do enjoy these, try drinking through a straw or rinsing your mouth with water right after eating or drinking.

3. Reduce Acidic Foods and Drinks

Acidic foods and drinks like lemon water, soft drinks, and vinegar can slowly wear down your enamel because of the acid present in these liquids. Once enamel thins, it becomes more translucent, which makes the yellow layer underneath (called dentine) more visible. This can make teeth look dull or discoloured, even if they were whitened before.

Maintain A Great Smile

So, how long does teeth whitening last? The answer depends on how you care for your teeth after treatment. With the right habits, a professional whitening treatment can provide long-lasting results that may address your concerns regarding the colour of your teeth.

Learn more about teeth whitening with our dental professionals at Whitehorse Dental in Blackburn, VIC. We are not just about helping you achieve a whiter smile, but also helping you maintain it for life.

If you’re considering teeth whitening, book a consultation with us to understand this treatment better.