Will My Whitened Teeth Retain Their New Color?

Over time, your teeth can become stained or discolored from everyday exposure to beverages, foods, and other substances like nicotine. Teeth whitening is a simple, relatively inexpensive and popular way to revitalize your smile. Your new, whiter look can last for a long time if you are careful to avoid staining agents in the future.

Whitening your Smile

Teeth whitening performed by a cosmetic dentist is a highly effective way to remove stains from your teeth. These stains build up on your enamel over time, giving your teeth a dingy yellow or even brown color. The whitening process uses a highly effective whitening agent to bleach the stains out of the surfaces of your teeth. [pullquote]Your new, whiter look can last for a long time if you are careful to avoid staining agents in the future.[/pullquote]

A typical whitening treatment takes about one hour and can lighten your teeth five to ten shades. Your gums and lips are protected with a gel so the whitening agent won’t cause irritation. Then the whitener is painted onto the surface of the teeth. Some types of whitener are then activated with a special light. After about twenty minutes of exposure, the whitener is removed and the dentist repeats the procedure one or two more times.

Your teeth will look whiter right away, but the effects will continue to develop over the next few days. After two or three days, you’ll see the final result of your whitening procedure.

Keeping Your Teeth White

After you’ve had your teeth whitened, it’s important to keep them away from substances that will cause them to become stained again. Some common staining agents to avoid include:

• Nicotine
• Tea
• Coffee
• Strong-colored fruit juices
• Wine

If you are careful about avoiding staining agents, your teeth will remain white for several months. Occasional touch-up whitening treatments will help keep them looking bright and beautiful in the long term.

To find out more about teeth whitening and how it can help you regain confidence in your smile, please contact our skilled team at Nicholas Kemp Dentistry to schedule an appointment or a consultation.