I would like to know why teeth whitening doesn’t work for me. I’ve had brown stains on six teeth since a childhood illness. I’ve tried five brands of at-home whitening, and none of them work.
My dentist even tried to whiten the stains, but now they look darker, and my other teeth are super white. The whitening made the stains more noticeable. Now I am afraid to let her try whitening my teeth again. Can you recommend a brand that maybe my dentist doesn’t know about? Thank you. Trey from Seattle
We recommend that you not allow your dentist to continue whitening your teeth. It seems that she does not understand the effects of teeth whitening on brown spots.
Why Doesn’t Teeth Whitening Work for You?
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel.
Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains. And products like whitening strips, toothpaste, or baking soda will have limited results, if any.
Bleaching gel strength – If you use bleaching gel to whiten your teeth, the contents may not be potent enough. Dentists use bleaching gel that contains carbamide peroxide. A dentist can determine the strength of the bleaching gel you need to remove embedded stains.
Types of stains or spots – Stains that you acquire when your teeth are developing may not respond to bleaching gel. For example, tetracycline stains result from taking the antibiotic tetracycline while teeth are developing. Although tetracycline stains may respond to bleaching, porcelain veneers are more effective. Bleaching makes brown spots and fluorosis stains worse.
What Are Your Options When Teeth Whitening Does Not Work?
When teeth whitening does not work on stains or spots, an advanced cosmetic dentist can improve them with microabrasion, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers. The treatment a cosmetic dentist recommends depends on the type and severity of the stains or spots.
Microabrasion – A dentist uses hydrochloric acid and pumice to remove white spots gently. After treatment, your tooth color will be a creamy shade.
Dental bonding – Cosmetic dentists apply bonding directly onto your teeth. But it requires artistic ability to blend and layer bonding to mimic natural tooth color and appearance.
Porcelain veneers – Thin shells of custom-made porcelain can conceal brown spots in teeth. And a skilled cosmetic dentist places veneers with minimal tooth preparation. For details, read our post Do Porcelain Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?
Most dentists lack the advanced training, artistic talent, and experience to conceal stains and spots that do not respond to bleaching. Schedule a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist.
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
The natural color of teeth can vary due to various factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle habits. Some individuals naturally have teeth that are darker or have a yellowish tint. These teeth may have a denser enamel layer or more pigmented dentin, making them more resistant to whitening treatments.
Darkening or relapse of the tooth shade is expected after whitening. Relapse of shade occurs almost immediately as the freshly whitened dehydrated tooth rehydrates. Repetitive prolonged exposure of the chemical is the only way to achieve optimal results.
Some home kits don't contain enough whitening product to be effective. Also, if a dental professional isn't doing the whitening, the mouthguard provided may not fit properly so some of the bleaching gel may leak out onto your gums and into your mouth, causing blistering and sensitivity.
Still not happy after whitening? If whitening just doesn't do it for you to your satisfaction or you have a lot of existing dental work, crowns or veneers may be right for you! We often see patients who want the full smile makeover and we have the highest standards to make sure your smile is sparkling but natural.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
The chemicals break down the stain molecules that cause teeth to darken. Plaque buildup can block these whitening chemicals from reaching the stained teeth. Schedule a dental cleaning appointment first before using teeth whitening strips. This can prepare your teeth well for the whitening process.
If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening. This is because restorations will not respond to whitening, and a whitening treatment could result in a very uneven appearance.
If your gums feel irritated or your teeth feel sensitive to cold, back off for a few days and let the sensation subside. With whitening several times a week, you should begin to see a difference after one week and reach your optimum whiteness after two to three weeks, depending on your level of staining.
Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product. Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots. Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth-whitening procedure.
Lots of people can have teeth whitening treatment, but some people may not be suitable if they have gum disease or other dental health problems such as tooth decay. You'll need to have consultation with your dentist before having treatment, to assess the suitability of your teeth.
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I would like to know why teeth whitening doesn’t work for me. I’ve had brown stains on six teeth since a childhood illness. I’ve tried five brands of at-home whitening, and none of them work.