{"id":327,"date":"2025-06-12T12:19:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T12:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/?p=327"},"modified":"2025-07-11T12:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:22:00","slug":"how-long-will-it-take-to-whiten-my-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cherrichdds.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/12\/how-long-will-it-take-to-whiten-my-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Will It Take to Whiten My Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If your teeth are stained despite using over the counter whitening products like toothpaste, white strips, or gels, it may be time for something stronger. Professional whitening<\/a> from your dentist can remove up to eight shades of discoloration either at home in about two weeks, or in-office in under two hours<\/em>. Here\u2019s how this treatment works and why going \u2018pro\u2019 can save you money in the long run!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Professional vs. Over-the-counter Whitening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to choosing professional versus over-the-counter whitening, many patients don\u2019t understand the difference in cost. After all, if they use the same ingredients, why is the whitening treatment from your dentist more expensive? The truth is, when it comes to these products, you get what you pay for. Often, storebought kits contain diluted ingredients, so they take longer to work. While they may be more affordable initially, by the time you get the results you want, you may end up spending more<\/em> than you would on professional treatment and have exposed your teeth to sensitivity-causing chemicals for way longer, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Professional Whitening Treatments Will I Need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news about professional treatment from your dentist is that often you can achieve your whitening goals in just one appointment. Though you may need several applications of the whitening gel in the one to two hours you are there for your procedure, professional ingredients can easily lift up to eight shades of discoloration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you choose instead to whiten your smile in the comfort of your own house with a professional take-home kit, you can expect your treatment to take around two weeks to remove the same eight shades of stains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Often Can I Whiten My Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With professional whitening, you should only need to touch up your smile once a year. Anything more frequent can cause tooth damage and sensitivity. There are a number of things you can do to extend the life of your whitening, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n