However, it's important to understand that your teeth are especially susceptible to discoloration and staining immediately after teeth whitening. Thus, what you do after teeth whitening, especially in the first 48 hours after treatment, determines how well your results will last.
The Importance of Aftercare
In the days and weeks following your treatment, your new, whiter teeth are more susceptible to staining. That's because the whitening process opens the pores in your tooth enamel, making them more receptive to colors from foods and drinks.
However, that hasn't stopped oral hygiene brands from capitalising on the market by offering whitening and charcoal toothpastes, although patients should be cautious about using these. While whitening toothpaste may remove surface stains, it can be abrasive and damage the enamel, making it even more prone to staining.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
As the acids leach away minerals from the tooth enamel, they leave behind chalky, white patches.
Now, the big concern: do teeth go back to their original colour after whitening? The answer is that they can, but not immediately and only sometimes wholly. Gradual Fading: Over time, the whitening effects can fade.
To fix patchy teeth whitening, you can perform spot treatments with a pumice stone and hydrochloric acid. However, you'll want to check with your dentist before taking action. Patchy teeth whitening can be caused by several of these, with dehydration of your tooth enamel's surface being one of them.
Most People Can Whiten Their Teeth Once a Year
Dentists monitor the risks and only recommend whitening to eligible candidates. Most people can get a full bleaching system every 12-18 months with touch-ups throughout the year.
We do not recommend using Crest 3D Whitestrips on your back teeth because the strips are specially designed to fit front teeth — the teeth shown when you smile. If you use Whitestrips on the back teeth, the strips may become loose and eventually fall off during the wear period as a result.
The natural color of teeth can vary due to various factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle habits. Some individuals naturally have teeth that are darker or have a yellowish tint. These teeth may have a denser enamel layer or more pigmented dentin, making them more resistant to whitening treatments.
The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.
Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food.
Whiten your teeth just before you go to sleep
This is why it's best for you to perform whitening just before you go to bed, so that your teeth will not be exposed to any substances that could stain them. Rehydrating and remineralizing of your teeth will also naturally take place while you sleep.
There is no conclusive evidence linking professional teeth whitening procedures to enamel damage. However, many still believe the contrary. In fact, in an online survey, 28% of the participants think that teeth whitening treatments damage the teeth, while 40% remain clueless on whether such is true or not.
Foods and drinks with strong pigments, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and some fruits like berries, can reverse the effects of teeth whitening by staining your teeth. Consuming these in moderation and practicing good oral hygiene can help maintain whitening results.
To maintain your whiter smile, use up to two Crest 3DWhitestrips teeth whitening systems per year; or try Crest 3DWhitestrips Classic Vivid. These 30-minute once a day strips whiten and help protect your smile against staining.
Whitening strips often contain peroxide-based chemicals to eliminate enamel stains, which may lead to temporary irritation and redness of the gums. This redness creates a visual contrast that can make the teeth seem more yellow.
A small quan;ty of the gel will achieve the desired result. Align the loaded tray over the teeth, press down onto the bi;ng surfaces with your fingers and thumbs and with your finger, rub the smiling surface of each tooth, so the gel fully covers the teeth.
Is teeth whitening permanent? Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
Options may include: In-office bleaching. The dentist will use a whitening product on your teeth. It usually needs one visit.
Teeth are thought to become more sensitive after whitening because the whitener weakens the teeth slightly, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside.
Yes, less calcium intake can cause visible white spots on your teeth. Calcium deficient diets should be taken into account for. Demineralization creates white areas resulting in the accumulation of bacterial plaque. This can be called as an early sign of decay which can be treated with necessary care.
By gently coating your teeth with a product like MI Paste or Colgate's Pro-Argin Toothpaste, you will plug up open pores on your teeth and reduce sensitivity. Additionally, the remineralizing effects of these pastes help to improve whitening.