What can I expect after teeth whitening?

The results of teeth whitening are somewhat variable, but most people are happy with the results. After any bleaching treatment, patients should avoid foods that stain, such as tobacco and red wine for about a week. Keeping teeth clean with flossing and brushing can maintain whiteness. Tooth bleaching lasts, on average, about 1-3 years. If you are not a regular tobacco user, and do not eat many foods that are known to stain teeth, bleaching may last even longer.

Decalcified spots are white spots that bacteria, not removed from the teeth frequently by brushing, affects the calcium in the enamel. These spots appear chalky white and are difficult to treat with just bleaching. Your dentist may recommend a procedure called microabrasion. This procedure can be done by itself or in conjunction with bleaching. The microabrasion material is much like the paste used to clean and polish teeth. The paste consists of an abrasive combined with a hydrochloric acid used to “polish” out the white or brown spots. The procedure can be performed usually in one office visit and can be done without anesthesia.