How Long Does it Take to Get Your Teeth Whitened?

The length of time required to have your teeth whitened depends on the method of whitening. By choosing professional teeth whitening at the dentist's office, you might be in and out of the chair in as little as an hour and a half.  However, plenty of patients choose at-home teeth whitening kits available through the dentist. These kits sometimes take weeks or even months to lighten tooth hue.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

Professional Teeth Whitening

Head to the dentist's office to have your teeth whitened and you will make the most of your limited free time away from work, family and other responsibilities. The dentist's professional teeth whitening methods can beautify your chompers in as little as 90 minutes. You really can walk out of your dentist's office within this time frame with teeth that are two or three shades lighter.

Teeth Whitening Trays and Gels

Teeth whitening gels and trays are not all created equal.  Manufacturers make these whitening solutions with varying concentrations.  The speed at which your teeth whiten hinges on the strength of the bleaching agent. The higher the concentration, the faster the solution will work and the whiter your teeth will become.

Most patients use a whitening product with 10 percent carbide peroxide bleaching gel.  They treat their teeth one time each day for a full hour. Such a product will take longer to whiten teeth compared to an agent with a higher concentration.  Meet with your dentist to determine the appropriate concentration for your unique teeth and aims.

Whitening Strips

Have your teeth whitened with these strips and you might some meaningful results in a reasonable amount of time.  These strips must be attached to the teeth for an hour or two per day for upwards of a couple weeks. Such gel strips certainly require the patient's commitment yet they usually whiten the teeth to at least a limited extent in two or three weeks.

Teeth Whitening Rinses

These rinses are similar to regular mouthwashes.  Loaded with whitening agents, whitening rinses gradually whiten teeth.  However, the individual must use the rinse at least a couple minutes each day for whitening progression to occur.  It usually takes a couple months to notice results from teeth whitening rinses.

Whitening Toothpaste

Different brands of whitening toothpaste have enzymes that clean away stains from the teeth.  Ideally, you will use an electric toothbrush to eliminate as much staining as possible. Use teeth whitening toothpaste two times per day and you might notice whiter teeth in as little as half a month's time.  However, it could take upwards of a month and a half to produce meaningful results.

How About Severe Staining?

Significant staining like tetracycline antibiotic staining will take quite a while to dissipate.  It can take upwards of six months or possibly a bit longer for this staining to be partially eliminated.  If you have significant staining, meet with your dentist to determine the best approach for teeth whitening.

Please call Gables Exceptional Dentistry today at (305) 203-4132!