At Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL, we understand how important having pearly whites is to your confidence. We want to help our clients feel as good about themselves as they can, so we proudly offer teeth whitening. Whether your discolored teeth are caused by your diet and lifestyle choices or factors outside your control, we can help you improve the appearance of your teeth.
How Often Should You Do Teeth Whitening?
Depending on your lifestyle, you should get your teeth professionally whitened every six to 24 months. If you smoke or regularly eat highly acidic foods, you may need to come in for a follow-up treatment every six to 12 months. You may only need to come in once every other year if you have a healthy oral hygiene routine and come in for professional cleanings every six months.
What Can I Do To Make My Results Last Longer?
If you’re interested in keeping your teeth white for as long as possible, ask us about the whitening pen we offer. If you use it after consuming substances that can stain your teeth, it will help your results last significantly longer.
Drinking acidic beverages through a straw will also help you maintain the longevity of your results. Rather than washing up against your tooth enamel, the potentially staining liquids will pass directly through to your throat.
Brushing your teeth at least two to three times per day will also help you enjoy your pearly whites for longer, and you don’t have to buy whitening toothpaste if you don’t want to. Brushing your teeth frequently and consistently is more important than the toothpaste you use. If you want to use whitening toothpaste, only use it once or twice per week. While this type of toothpaste can whiten your teeth, long-term use can thin the enamel, ultimately causing more discoloration.
Will I Need To Avoid Anything After My Treatment?
You should avoid using any home fluoride treatment or colored mouth rinse during the first 48 hours following your treatment. During the same timeframe, you should also avoid consuming anything that can stain your teeth, like red wine, tobacco products, coffee, and tea.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
If you’re at least 16 years of age, you will probably be considered a good fit for this treatment. However, this treatment is not appropriate for everyone, including women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You also will not qualify for this treatment if you suffer from periodontal disease or have a cut or sore in your mouth.
What Causes Discoloration of the Teeth?
Highly Acidic Foods and Beverages
Some of the most common beverages that stain your teeth due to high acidity levels include coffee, tea, tomato juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, soda, and wine. Foods that can stain your teeth include beets, apples, cranberries, citrus fruits, potatoes, popsicles, and brightly colored candies.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is another potential cause of tooth discoloration. Food particles and bacteria not removed from your mouth promptly cling to your teeth, staining them. If you get your teeth professionally whitened and want them to stay white for as long as possible, make sure you floss at least once per day and try to brush your teeth after every meal. At the very least, brush your teeth at least twice per day.
Tobacco Products
The consumption of tobacco products can also result in your teeth staining. Whether you chew, vape, or smoke tobacco, it is almost a guarantee that you will experience tooth discoloration. If you want to quit consuming tobacco products but feel like you can’t, ask your doctor for resources that may help.
Aging
The natural aging process can also be responsible for teeth becoming discolored. The older you become, the less enamel you have due to natural erosion. Once enough enamel is lost, the yellowish dentin lying beneath the tooth enamel begins to show.
Illnesses and Medications
Other factors that can cause tooth discoloration include certain illnesses and medications. Medical conditions that are known to cause enamel erosion, and subsequent tooth discoloration, include:
- Calcium deficiency
- Bulimia nervosa
- Celiac disease
- Liver disease
- Rickets
- Metabolic diseases
Among the most common medications that cause tooth discoloration are antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and drugs designed to lower blood pressure. Moreover, radiation of the head and neck or chemotherapy can cause your teeth to stain. Your teeth can also stain if you have had to take certain antibiotics, like doxycycline or tetracycline, before age seven. Cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine can also stain your teeth.
Other Factors
Genetics and trauma can also affect how often you’ll need teeth whitening. Your genes determine how bright and thick your tooth enamel is. If you were born with dull or thin enamel, your teeth will become discolored sooner than with your peers. Trauma can result in tooth discoloration because chipping your tooth due to a fall or sports injury can damage your tooth enamel.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Generally, professional teeth whitening should occur every six to 24 months to maintain results. Schedule an appointment with us today at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL to learn more about getting your teeth professionally whitened.
