When looking into how to whiten teeth, the whitening type you choose can impact how long your treatment takes. Our cosmetic dentists are frequently asked questions like “How can I whiten my teeth?” or “How do I get rid of my yellow teeth?” Everyone’s teeth yellow and discolor over time. Mealtimes, tooth decay, dental wear and tear, or even from certain medications can make their mark on your pearly whites. Once these dental stains become noticeable, many people choose to whiten their smiles. After all, a bright, healthy smile can cheer up you and the people around you. However, depending on which method you choose, your experience whitening teeth can vary widely, both in its treatment timeline and effectiveness. The color of your teeth is determined by several factors: transparency, the thickness of enamel, and the underlying dentin's color. When teeth become yellow and stained, this discoloration can be classified in one of two levels: extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic stains appear on the teeth's outer enamel, and they don't affect the more sensitive layers below. This surface discoloration is typically caused by tobacco, plaque buildup, and the foods you eat. While many people think of teeth as completely solid, they are porous and prone to absorbing the pigments of foods and others they are exposed to. While most foods and drinks contribute to staining, certain ones are particularly notorious for this, such as coffee, teas, red and dark sauces, and coffee. Intrinsic stains extend deeper than the enamel, instead reaching to the dentin. The dentin is yellower than the translucent white of enamel, so any damage exposing this inner layer can lead to teeth stains that are much more difficult to remove. Some of the most common causes of intrinsic stains are: Dental trauma Fluorosis Demineralization and tooth decay Aging and dental wear and tear Certain medications

Let's learn about the causes and different ways to get rid of these stains. How Can I Whiten My Teeth Quickly? Professional teeth whitening methods are the fastest way to brighten your smile. They're also the most effective. Bleaching can be done in the dentist's office or at home. In-office sessions and at-home kits can remove extrinsic and intrinsic stains, lifting a decade of stains trapped in the tooth. Please discuss with your dentist which one is the most suitable for your specific needs and preferences. In-Office Whitening For the best teeth whitening, you should see your dentist for a professional whitening done in their practice. While you're in the dental chair, we can use the most potent peroxide gel available to safely brighten patients' smiles by more than half a dozen shades. During your appointment, a cosmetic dentist will polish the teeth and isolate them to protect your gum line. Once the whitening gel is applied to your teeth, the peroxide is further activated with a curing light or laser. In-office whitening usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour, with multiple 15-minute rounds. Your cosmetic dentist can monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you get the best results for your unique smile. The general rule of thumb with smile brightening is that your teeth should be about a shade or two darker than the whites of your eyes. This allows your teeth to look naturally bright and healthy without revealing to others that you've had cosmetic dentistry work. At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit You can also get the same results at home as you would a professional whitening in our office. Professional teeth whitening kits use trays made from molds of your mouth, meaning they fit your smile. Once the peroxide your dentist provides you is applied to these trays, you can wear them for 30 minutes, four hours, or even overnight. Be sure to listen to your dentist's instructions for what length of time works best for you. And with such a precise fit, you don't need to worry about the gel touching or harming your gums, as can happen with generic strips. Before putting in your trays, be sure to brush your teeth beforehand. You will also need to rinse your mouth after and clean the tray thoroughly under running water before using them again the next day. Within one to two weeks of consistent use, your smile will be just as bright as it would be with a whitening appointment at our dental office. Do Over-The-Counter Teeth Whiteners Work? Store-bought teeth whitening products do work, but they’re not as quick or effective as professional methods. Without a cosmetic dentist tailoring the peroxide gel and treatment itself to your unique smile, generic whiteners must use weaker peroxide bleach for your safety. This compromise not only comes at the expense of having a smile that can only remove extrinsic stains, but these teeth whitening options take longer to work. Whitening Strips Whitening strips are a more affordable way to brighten your smile at home, but this lower price comes at reduced results. Since they use less powerful peroxide gel, they usually take two to three weeks before you start seeing any results. Some may require you to use them for a month. Even then, they are often only capable of lightening teeth by one or two shades after consistent use. For the best results, you should brush your teeth before applying the strips to your teeth. Whitening Toothpaste Whitening toothpaste is less potent than strips and at-home kits but is used more consistently as part of your everyday hygiene routine. It whitens teeth in three different ways: hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and abrasives. While some may only use one, those that combine two or three of these methods can more effectively remove stains from your teeth. Overall, it takes between two to six weeks before you see results. Whitening Mouthwash Whitening mouthwashes are the slowest way to brighten your smile, taking about three months before most people see visible results in their smile. They usually only use hydrogen peroxide, making them much less efficient than toothpastes. As such, whitening rinses are often used to supplement other whitening methods and maintain professional-level results longer.

How Long Does A Professional Teeth Whitening Last? Professional in-office visits and at-home kits are long-lasting, usually having a lifespan of one or two years. Some patients may even maintain their results for as long as three years—weaker, store-bought counterparts generally only last three or four months. Professional teeth whitening is a worthwhile investment for those who want beautiful pearly whites that don't need routine touching up and maintenance. However, how long your results precisely last depends on you. Just as your diet played a significant role in staining your teeth, it can do the same after you've finished lightening your smile. During the first day or two after you've bleached your teeth, you must stay away from any well-known teeth stainers. Your porous teeth will be incredibly absorbent and vulnerable to vibrant and dark pigments after taking in the peroxide gel. After this initial period, you should still try to avoid these foods and drinks as much as possible to maintain your bright white results for as long as possible: Coffee and dark teas Red wine Carbonated drinks Red and yellow curries Tomato paste and sauces Soy sauce Sports and energy drinks Colorful berries like blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranates Fruit juices Popsicles and other artificially colored foods Balsamic vinegar Chocolate If you do have them, try to rinse your mouth with water immediately after consumption. Do not brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes. Also, be sure to practice proper oral hygiene habits—brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and use toothpastes and rinses with fluoride. Is There A Way To Permanently Whiten Teeth? While there is no way to brighten your smile forever, many dentists recommend porcelain veneers for incredibly long-lasting results. Veneers date back to the 1920s and 30s when Hollywood stars would change their smile’s appearance to fit their character roles in films. More recently, they have become popular as a fast but effective way to achieve your ideal smile. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that act as facades for patients’ perfect teeth. With excellent care, maintenance, and dental hygiene, they can often stay in great shape for as long as 15 or 20 years. Unlike peroxide gel, veneers don’t focus solely on whitening teeth. They take a much more holistic approach to your smile. When bonded to the teeth’s fronts with resin cement, they allow you to recreate your smile’s whole appearance. Patients are a particularly effective option for patients who want to tackle multiple issues they have with their smile’s look, including: Tooth’s shape and length Minor crookedness Cracks and chips Gaps between teeth Wear and tear They typically require minimal shaving of the tooth's enamel to fit them in place. However, some kinds require no preparation, but they usually aren't as durable and typically last between 5 to 7 years.