Preventing teeth discoloration is almost impossible for the majority of us and you could say that we’re fighting a losing battle. If you’re an avid drinker of tea, coffee for instance, then you’ll know how hard it is to steer clear of these well-known stain-inducing beverages.
Other things like the aging process or the drug tetracycline, are also responsible for discoloring teeth.
So, you need to know that it is quite normal to change the color of your teeth, and it is very difficult that we can maintain a bright white color all the time.
Table of Contents
1- Teeth whitening does not damage your teeth.
When teeth whitening is carried out by your dentist, it’s incredibly safe. Unlike abrasive whitening toothpaste, it won’t damage the tooth enamel.
The ingredients in the whitening gel work to temporarily open the pores of your teeth and lift out the stains from within.
After the whitening treatment, your teeth naturally remineralize and hydrate themselves.
2- It’s OK to experience tooth sensitivity after whitening teeth.
Many individuals have sensitive teeth. Some of the reasons for this include genetics, thin enamel, and fine cracks, and this is something that your dentist can take into account before whitening your teeth.
Despite this, some sensitivity after the teeth whitening process is fairly common.
The active chemicals in the whitening gel can cause temporary dehydration to the teeth which, in turn, reduces their ability to insulate the nerve from temperature changes. In most cases, this issue disappears within a couple of days after the procedure.
Your dentist may recommend a post-whitening fluoride treatment to restore hydration and nourish the teeth.
3- You may require more than one session to remove teeth stains:
If this is your first time of teeth whitening then be prepared for the fact that one session may not be sufficient to remove years or even decades of stains.
In reality, it could take several days or even months to achieve the gleaming white teeth you were hoping for. Try and remain patient during this time – once your teeth are free from stains, maintaining whiteness will be much easier.
4- The best time to whiten your teeth is at bedtime:
When teeth are whitened, they are at their most vulnerable to staining. Why? Because the teeth’ pores remain slightly open, believe it or not, just like our skin, teeth contain thousands of microscopic pores.
These can let stains in and is why dentists often recommend whitening just before bedtime.
This gives your teeth sufficient time to replenish themselves with minerals and moisture before any foods or drinks pass your lips.
5- Crowns and veneers cannot be whitened:
Dental crowns and veneers cannot be damaged or whitened by the teeth whitening procedure and this is because, unlike natural teeth, they have no pores.
What’s more, when crowns and veneers are fitted, they are usually whitened to match the shade of your natural teeth and will resist the chemicals found in the whitening gel. So as a general rule of thumb, look to undergo teeth whitening before you have new crowns and veneers fitted.
