Distinctive Dental Care Oswego

April 01, 2024, Distinctive Dental Care Oswego

What causes teeth to re-yellow after whitening treatments?
Having whiter, brighter teeth is something many people desire. There are a variety of teeth whitening products and procedures available to achieve this, from whitening toothpaste and strips to in-office treatments performed by your dentist. However, it can be frustrating when your teeth lose their whiteness and begin to yellow again after whitening treatments. So what causes this re-yellowing of teeth after they have been whitened?
Diet and Lifestyle Habits
One of the main culprits of re-yellowing teeth after whitening is your everyday diet and lifestyle habits. Foods and drinks that can stain teeth include coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, berries, tomato sauce, curry, soy sauce, and more. The chromogens and tannins in these foods and beverages can start discoloring your teeth again in as little as a couple of weeks after whitening treatments. Smoking and tobacco use will also quickly cause stains on whitened teeth as well.
To help keep your teeth looking freshly whitened for longer, try to minimize staining foods and beverages for at least a couple of weeks after your treatment. Be sure to brush after consuming them as well. Quitting smoking can also go a long way in maintaining that post-whitening glow.
Natural Thinning of Enamel
Our tooth enamel naturally becomes thinner over time with aging. Enamel is the protective outer layer of our teeth, and as it wears down, it exposes more of the yellowy dentin underneath. This makes our teeth appear darker and more yellow.
Whitening treatments can accelerate this thinning process, so newly whitened teeth may re-yellow faster than untreated teeth due to the increased enamel thinness. Those with already thin enamel before whitening are at an even higher risk of seeing their teeth darken again quickly. Practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding excessive whitening can help combat this.
New Stain Deposits
New staining and discoloration on the tooth surface can occur again after whitening due to the porosity of the teeth. Whitening treatments create micro-pores in the enamel by removing deep stains and deposits. However, these little pores make it easier for new stains to penetrate the teeth again post-whitening.
Daily dental hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash, helps prevent excessive new staining on whitened teeth. Seeing your dentist in Oswego for regular cleanings and polishing can also aid in keeping stains from taking hold in porous areas. Getting touch-up whitening treatments periodically can also help combat new surface stains.
Intrinsic Staining
Whitening treatments primarily remove extrinsic stains from the tooth surface through peroxides and other whitening agents. However, some discoloration can result from intrinsic staining, meaning stains deep within the tooth structure. Common causes of intrinsic staining include certain medications, excessive fluoride consumption, fillings that have darkened over time, trauma, and more.
Since surface whitening procedures don't address intrinsic staining, these yellow and brown discolorations will become visible again as your enamel thins or as the whitening effect diminishes over time. More invasive treatments like dental veneers or dental bonding are sometimes needed to cover intrinsic stains.
Frequent Whitening
While whitening is generally safe when following your dentist's recommendations, overdoing treatments too frequently or using over-concentrated products can lead to increased tooth sensitivity and accelerated enamel wear. This thinning of enamel then causes teeth to start re-yellowing at a faster rate.
Take care to get professional advice on how often you should undergo whitening treatments based on the current condition of your teeth. Avoid "over-whitening," allow enamel recovery time between treatments, and use products with the recommended peroxide concentrations to prevent unnecessary thinning that leads to rapid re-staining.
Maintaining a White Smile Long-Term
While teeth can start to re-yellow for various reasons after you have them professionally whitened, there are some steps you can take to help keep your bright smile shining for longer:
• Avoid heavily pigmented foods and beverages for two weeks after whitening.
• Brush and floss thoroughly after consuming staining foods/drinks.
• Quit smoking and tobacco use to prevent surface stains.
• Get regular dental cleanings and polishing treatments.
• Use whitening toothpaste daily.
• Get whitening touch-up treatments periodically per your dentist's recommendation.
• Practice good dental hygiene and limit enamel wear in between treatments.
By taking care of your newly whitened teeth and avoiding behaviors that stain, you can keep them looking freshly bright for months or years down the road with periodic touch-ups. Talk to your dentist near me about the most effective aftercare and maintenance plan for preserving your smile post-whitening.
Take the First Step Toward a Whiter Smile
If you want to rejuvenate your smile with our best teeth whitening methods, it can help create the dazzling white grin you've always wanted. We provide customized whitening treatments tailored to your specific needs and goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let our exceptional dental team give you the smile transformation you deserve with effective whitening treatments and a personalized aftercare plan. Contact Distinctive Dental Care in Oswego, IL, today to schedule your whitening consultation!

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