Teeth whitening can significantly boost the appearance of your smile in a short time, making your teeth up to 8 shades whiter.

But how often can you safely repeat teeth whitening treatments? In this article, we answer this question and discuss how professional teeth whitening differs from at-home whitening.

How Often Can I Safely Repeat Teeth Whitening Treatments?

Typically, teeth whitening treatments should not be repeated more often than once a year, or at most every 6 months, when performed by a professional cosmetic dentist. However, people with weaker enamel or other oral health concerns might be advised to have whitening procedures less frequently.

You should not undergo teeth whitening procedures more often than recommended, as this can pose a risk of permanent damage to enamel and gum tissue. Teeth whitening works by using a bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide), which temporarily makes your enamel more porous. This way, the bleaching agent can penetrate the deeper layers of the enamel and destroy the dark pigment.

Teeth whitening inevitably dehydrates the enamel and can remove small amounts of calcium and phosphate. The enamel of your teeth needs sufficient time to recover and remineralize after the procedure, and repeated whitening too soon can prevent full recovery.

Additionally, teeth whitening solutions can irritate the gum tissue. Reapplying whitening agents before healing is complete increases the risk of gum recession and chronic irritation.

In fact, apart from permanent enamel and gum damage, repeating the whitening procedure too often is likely to lead to such cosmetic defects as:

• Translucent or uneven-looking teeth
• Teeth that look chalky instead of naturally white
• Severely stained or discolored teeth

Teeth Whitening Recovery Process

After your teeth whitening procedure, you might expect the following symptoms:

Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
Tooth sensitivity when brushing and flossing your teeth
Gum sensitivity

These symptoms can last for up to 7 days and then gradually subside. If you experience severe sensitivity or it persists for more than 7 days, we recommend consulting your dentist immediately. During your recovery period, we recommend adhering to the following rules:

• Switch to a fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Choose a soft-bristle brush and brush and floss your teeth gently, without applying too much force.
• Switch to a so-called “white diet” for the first week (examples include such foods as dairy products without dyes or berries, chicken, eggs, potatoes, etc.).
• Avoid staining products for the first few weeks after the procedure, and always brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after consuming them.

Professional Teeth Whitening Versus At-home Whitening

As we mentioned before, professional teeth whitening can be safely repeated every 6 to 12 months, because your dentist can correctly evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums and determine which whitening solution is suitable for you. The same applies to at-home whitening kits your dentist provides after a checkup.

However, this is not the case with over-the-counter whitening solutions. These products are manufactured for a general person with healthy teeth and gums, and cannot accommodate your specific needs. Therefore, using over-the-counter whitening products poses a high risk of enamel and gum damage, especially when the procedure is repeated frequently without a doctor’s oversight.

We recommend avoiding over-the-counter whitening products and always consulting your dentist before deciding on a whitening procedure.

Get Professional Teeth Whitening at Shodhan Yucaipa

If you are considering teeth whitening, opt for a safe and effective professional procedure performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist at Shodhan Yucaipa. Our specialists will carefully examine your oral health to determine which type of whitening is most suitable for your goals and oral health needs. We are looking forward to your visit.