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Heres what you should probably know.

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What causes teeth staining?

One of the most common causes of teeth surface stains is what you eat, Cho says.

Things like blueberries, coffee, andred winecan stain your teeth, especially if you eat them frequently.

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But there are a ton of other things that can contribute to the discoloration on your teeth.

Part of that is also determined by your genetics, Cho points out.

These types of pigment are deeper in the tooth and generally require more aggressive whitening than over-the-counter options offer.

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Who shouldand shouldntuse at-home teeth-whitening kits?

However, this effect is usually temporary and will lessen after your treatment period is over.

But home whitening kits and whitening strips are still a good place to start before getting in-office treatment.

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What should you know before using a home teeth-whitening kit?

Honestly, teeth-whitening kits wont work super well for everyone.

How well they work for you depends on a bunch of different things, including consistency.

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In-office treatments are done once with a high concentration of bleach.

Also, know that the whitening wont last forever, Cho says.

Even in-office results last between six months and two years, she says, which is a huge window.

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But ultimately, how long any whitening lasts is dependent on your habits, Wolff says.

Doing it once every six months to a year should be the limit, he says.

Remember that, unlike your natural teeth, devices likeveneerswont whiten, Cho says.

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And overall, you may not get the perfect gleaming shade of white youre after.

So its crucial to have realistic expectations for what your results might be, Wolff says.

To use them, youll adhere the whitening strip to your teeth for just 30 minutes a day.

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Youll need to use the whitening strips for 14 consecutive days to get maximum results.

The foaming toothpaste uses stannous fluoride to remineralize your enamel and to kill plaque bacteria along your gum line.

For best results, youll need to do three sessions a day for seven consecutive days.

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All the whitening strips require is one hour of treatment for seven days.

It also has an ADA seal of acceptance.

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