Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

Although stained or discolored teeth don’t typically pose a threat to your health, they can make you look older or less attractive. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you have several options that you can use to whiten or brighten your smile. Teeth whitening is among the most basic, affordable, and accessible ways to resolve teeth stains and discoloration.

Staining and discoloration can result from tooth decay, dental trauma, poor dental hygiene, smoking, colored & acidic foods and beverages, certain medications, and old age. Teeth stains caused by internal factors such as tooth decay and dental trauma won’t respond to teeth whitening. The dentist has to address the underlying issue and then use a veneer or crown to enhance the tooth’s appearance. For this reason, you must visit a dentist first if you’re considering teeth whitening. The dentist will identify the type of stains or discoloration you have and advise you on the most effective whitening option. You save the stress of using multiple whitening treatments without any results.

The Truth About How Long You Bleach Your Teeth

How long you bleach your teeth may depend on several factors, such as the type of discoloration you have and the whitening treatments used. While using the same whitening treatments, deep stains may take more time to lighten and remove than mild stains.

The most crucial factor is the method of whitening used. Below are the most common teeth whitening procedures and how quickly they show results.

• In-office teeth whitening

This procedure is in the dental office. It’s the most effective, safest, and quickest way to uncover those pearly whites. The dentist begins by scraping tartar and plaque from the teeth’ surfaces to remove stains. Bleaching agents with high hydrogen or carbamide peroxide are applied on the teeth’ surfaces and activated with a special dental light.

Next, the dentist brushes, flosses, rinses and polishes the teeth to give a whiter, youthful, and flawless smile. In-office teeth whitening takes a single appointment and less than two hours. The results are immediate and can last for three years with proper dental care and hygiene.

• At-home whitening trays from the dentist

If you opt for home use whitening kits, your dentist will create customized trays and give you whitening gels. You’re supposed to wear the trays for specific times, say 1-2 hours per day, for about 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the stains. Results begin to show typically within a week.

• Over-the-counter whitening kits

Over-the-counter whitening products such as whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, pens, and strips can do the trick for mild teeth stains. These products contain less whitening ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, mild abrasives, and carbamide peroxide.

You can use these whitening products twice daily for about 2-12 weeks to see results. The results last for about 3-6 months. Long-time use of these whitening treatments can weaken or thin your teeth’ enamel. Whitening strips provide the quickest and most long-lasting results compared to whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, and pens.

What Should I Eat or Drink After Teeth Whitening?

Regardless of the whitening treatment, what you eat after the treatment will determine how long your new smile will last—due to the bleaching or whitening effects, making your teeth susceptible to re-staining.
For this reason, a white diet is recommended immediately after teeth whitening. Foods and drinks to consume after teeth whitening include:

• Fish, tofu, and chicken – Avoid any colorful sauces or seasonings
• Rice, pasta, and bread
• Yogurt or cheese – Avoid artificially colored or flavored products
• Light-colored fresh fruits and vegetables such as bananas, pears, apples, potatoes, mushrooms, and cauliflower.
• Water

For the next 48 hours or so, avoid or limit the consumption of:

• Red and white wine. While white wine might look lighter in color, it’s high in acidity, harming the teeth’ enamel.
• Tea and coffee
• Soft drinks. Most carbonated drinks are high in acids and sugar, eroding the enamel and causing surface stains. Water is the best beverage to consider.
• Candy and chocolate contain darker colors and sugars, which can cause enamel erosion, decay, and stains.
• Dark and acidic Fruits. While fruits are healthy, darker raspberries, blackberries, and cherries can cause teeth stains. Sour fruits can also cause enamel erosion.
• Tobacco products. Nicotine can cause stubborn teeth yellowing.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about teeth whitening services, contact Sharon Dental Group.