Will Wine Affect My Smile After Teeth Whitening?
Patients know that they ca n trust Dr. John P. Goodman, a leading dentist serving the Kansas City area. He offers advanced dental care treatments, including teeth whitening to remove stains and bleach discolored smiles.
Some patients wonder if their teeth can be stained after they've undergone teeth whitening treatment. Let's look at this right now, with a focus on wine and the way it can affect your smile.
About Wine Stains
Wine stains are a common issue when someone drinks red wine over a long period of time. The red wine can coat the teeth, resulting in gradual discoloration of the teeth, particularly the front teeth. Over the years, this can lead people to feel self-conscious about their smile, so much so that they may feel socially awkward, even around friends and family members.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening treatment involves the use of special bleaching agents to whiten the actual enamel layer of a person's teeth. A single session of professional, dentist-supervised teeth whitening can brighten a person's smile by up to seven or eight entire shades. This is far more effective than over-the-counter teeth whitening products, which take much longer for dramatic results to be achieved.
How Effective Is Teeth Whitening When Treating Wine Stains?
Teeth whitening is highly effective at treating wine stains. All dental bleaching is ideal for extrinsic stains (i.e., stains that originate at the surface of the teeth), helping whiten the tooth structure that has been darkened or discolored.
Can My Teeth Be Stained After Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Yes.
One thing that patients need to keep in mind when it comes to teeth whitening is that their teeth have been bleached but are not stain proof. Additional staining can still occur after teeth whitening has been performed, and not just from wine. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, tobacco products, and a host of other substances can also cause tooth discoloration to occur.
Can I Undergo Additional Teeth Whitening Sessions?
Yes.
If your teeth become stained in the future, you can undergo additional teeth whitening procedures in order to get your smile to look its absolute best. This may not always be most ideal, but it's good to keep in mind given how the effects of time and age can lead to issues with overall tooth coloration and the beauty of your smile.
If teeth whitening is not ideal for the stain that you're dealing with, there are other cosmetic dentistry options that may prove quite effective that can be discussed in more detail.
Tips to Keep Your Smile Its Brightest and Whitest
In order to keep your smile looking its whitest, it's best to consider the following tips:
- Avoid tobacco products
- Limit your consumption of wine, coffee, soft drinks, and tea
- Drink beverages with a straw to bypass your front teeth
- Brush and floss after every meal
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups
Contact Dr. John P. Goodman
If you would like more information about getting your smile to look its absolute best, we encourage you to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. John P. Goodman and the entire team at the practice look forward to your visit and helping you have the best smile possible.