Wondering if the effects of professional teeth whitening are permanent? Everyone always wants their teeth to look their best, which is why teeth whitening treatments and products have taken the market by a storm recently.

But these treatments are often met with scepticism since they are not a permanent solution to discolouration. If you are considering getting your teeth whitened and are looking for advice and reassurance regarding results, read on!

Why Won’t Your Teeth Whiten or Stay White?

There are several at-home tooth whitener kits as well as professional services that are available to those who wish to make their teeth shine. However, regardless of the procedure you choose, the effects unfortunately don’t last forever.

People may tend to find that their teeth turn yellow or become discoloured even after whitening. More often than not, this happens as a result of certain lifestyle habits and people not caring for their teeth properly after treatment. These are just some of the causes for your teeth losing their pearly white look.

1. Your Genetics Coming Into Play

Unfortunately for some, tooth colour is a result of family genes. If your family has a history of yellow teeth, chances are that you may have inherited them as well. The four basic shade ranges of natural teeth include reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, grey and reddish-grey. The depth of your natural teeth colour may be across a spectrum from light to dark.

2. Thin Enamel Distorting the Colour

Teeth may appear yellower when the tooth enamel is thinner than it should be. This thinning allows the dentine underneath your teeth to show through it. Dentine is essentially a deep yellowish to brownish material that resides inside your teeth underneath the enamel.

When this dentine is visible, it may cause your teeth to look much yellower when you glance in the mirror. Though thick enamel is more effective in covering up the dentine, it cannot always block the stains that build up on the surface of your teeth either.

3. Smoking Stains Your Teeth Quickly

Apart from the harmful effects of nicotine to your general health, smoking can also have an adverse effect on your oral health. Heavy smokers usually experience yellow or brown staining of their teeth and discoloration of their gums as a result of this habit. Even if you have a dentist handle your teeth whitening, smoking can quickly undo their hard work.

4. Foods Can Stain Your Teeth Too

What you ingest can have a serious impact on your oral health. There are several types of food that can cause heavy staining of your teeth. These include the acid from tomatoes in pasta sauce, vinegar, spices present in curries and several kinds of berries. All these food items contain pigments that stubbornly cling to your tooth enamel, leaving bad stains in the process.

5. Drinks Are Also Quick to Stain Your Teeth

As with your food, you need to be mindful of what you drink. Coffee and tea are two major culprits when it comes to teeth staining. Red and white wine are also strong contenders in this field. In some cases, sports and energy drinks containing artificial colours and flavouring can do a number on your natural teeth as well, along with any teeth whitener you’ve applied.

6. Wear & Tear Due to Ageing

The many effects of aging catch up to us all and yellowing teeth is a common development. This usually happens due to the wear and tear of the enamel from years of chewing and exposure to acids from certain types of food and drink. Additionally, aging also causes the enamel to thin over time causing them to turn yellow or, in some cases, develop a greyish tinge when mixed with food stains.

7. Tetracycline Antibiotics Can Affect Young Teeth

In some situations, tetracycline antibiotics can stain teeth while they are developing in the gums. It is usually advised that pregnant mothers avoid tetracycline antibiotics during the last half of pregnancy as taking this medication could impact their baby’s teeth. The antibiotic is also not recommended for children aged eight years or under as there is a risk of developing teeth becoming stained.

8. Watch Out for Fluorosis

Fluoride when used correctly can be really good for your teeth. However, as with most things, too much can be problematic as it can cause yellow or brownish spots on your teeth, called fluorosis. Discuss with your dentist on how to incorporate the right amount of fluoride in your daily routine, either through fluoride toothpastes or fluoride-infused tap water.

In case your tap water does not contain fluoride, your dentist may recommend supplementation in the form of a fluoride varnish or mouthwash.

9. Accidents Also Have Their Role to Play in Yellow Teeth

Sometimes, accidents can cause trauma to your teeth, resulting in discolouration as a result of bleeding. In order to attend to this, you will require professional medical attention.

10. Grinding Doesn’t Just Hurt Your Teeth

Tooth grinding is an unconscious habit that some people develop as a result of stress. Some people have no control over it and may grind their teeth in their sleep. This habit can be quite harmful to your tooth enamel as it weakens it to the point of cracking and yellowing. There are several solutions for this problem that your dentist can offer, for instance, mouth guards.

How to Make Your Teeth Whitening Treatment Last As Long As Possible

After having read about all those causes for yellow teeth, we know what you must be thinking: Does teeth whitening actually work? Though the effects are not permanent, you most certainly can benefit from teeth whitening as it aids in improving the overall appearance of your teeth. All you need to know is how to extend the longevity of the results in order to make the most out of your treatment. Here are our top tips.

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best thing you can do to ensure your teeth are always looking their very best, particularly after any teeth whitening. Make sure to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and remember to floss at least once a day. It is definitely worth it to make these habits an integral part of your daily routine as it will do wonders for your oral health and keep those pesky stains at bay.

Along with good oral hygiene make sure to use the right kind of oral tools to better protect your teeth. As a rule of thumb, make sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 months, and use a softer bristled brush to avoid stripping away your protective enamel.

Brushing technique also matters; try not to brush too aggressively and always practice a circular motion rather than roughly brushing back and forth across our teeth. If possible, you might want to consider swapping out your manual toothbrush for an electric one as studies prove that they are more effective in removing plaque build-up.

2. Stay Hydrated to Help Keep Your Teeth Clean

Water is great for your overall health, glowing skin and generally improving your mood. In addition to this, it is also highly beneficial to your oral health. Your mouth will stay cleaner if you drink loads of water since it washes away plaque, food particles stuck between teeth, and other bacteria that can affect your gums.

Furthermore, water can wash away stains on your teeth enamel and keep them looking bright and shiny much longer, ensuring you get value for money on your teeth whitening!

3. Avoid Teeth Staining Food & Drink When You Can

Knowing what to eat and drink can be the deciding factor regarding whether your teeth stain prematurely or not. Whenever possible, try to avoid highly acidic foods, vinegar, and dark fruits like blueberries, blackberries and cherries. Limit your wine, coffee and tea intake as well.

4. Quit Smoking for Whiter Teeth & a Healthier Lifestyle

If you’re a regular smoker, it is definitely worth it to kick the habit. In the long run, quitting smoking will not only be beneficial to your body but also your oral health. You will be less prone to ugly discolouration of tooth enamel, darkening gums and smoker’s lips.

5. Use a Straw When Enjoying Your Drinks

While it might seem like a reach, straws can aid in reducing the possibility for teeth staining. Drinking through a straw enables you to send the liquid straight to the back of your throat, rather than letting the liquid touch your teeth, thus preventing stains.

6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly for Check-Ups & Tooth Whitening

Getting regular check-ups with your dentist can help maintain your oral health and keep those teeth looking whiter than ever. Especially if you are considering teeth whitening procedures, professional services are highly recommended as your dentist will be able to implement the safest and best methods tailored to your teeth.

Get Your Teeth Whitened at Abbotsford Dental!

Abbotsford Dental offers the best teeth whitening services in Melbourne. Our highly trained staff make it a point to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for all our patients, providing them with nothing but the highest standard of dental care.

We also offer you the best advice on dental procedures and treatments that would be best suited to you so you can rest assured that you will be in safe hands. If you’re looking for a dentist in Kew to help you with Zoom whitening treatments or routine cleaning, look no further. Call us on 03 9410 1077 to book an appointment with one of our dentists today!