Can teeth be too stained to whiten?

Author: Eloisa Schmeler  |  Last update: Monday, November 24, 2025

Once your teeth are intrinsically stained, it becomes very difficult to remove the discoloration with over-the-counter or professional teeth whitening treatments. Cosmetic treatments such as veneers or dental bonding are common options for fixing intrinsic stains.

Can badly stained teeth be whitened?

Dentists may offer in-office or at-home professional teeth whitening treatments. These methods use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break up stains and lift them from your teeth. Professional whitening works best on surface (extrinsic) stains.

What kind of teeth cannot be whitened?

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.

How to get badly stained teeth white?

Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash.

Some also include bleaching agents to remove deep-set stains, too. Your teeth should become gradually whiter as the products lift off stains bit by bit, day by day.

What teeth stains cannot be removed?

Intrinsic stains occur on the internal surface of the tooth and cannot be removed by self-care methods.

The #1 Top Remedy for Dental Plaque (TARTAR)

How do you remove years of stains from teeth?

Use a teeth whitening toothpaste: Many kinds of toothpaste incorporate baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, which will make it easier to remove stains. Baking soda is a strong substance, but this type of toothpaste uses a small amount. You can also have professional teeth whitening treatment.

Are teeth permanently stained yellow?

Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.

Why is my teeth whitening not working?

11 Reasons Why Teeth Whitening Does Not Work For You1.1 Types Of Stains Or Spots1.2 Product Type1.3 Bleaching Gel Strength1.4 Unclean Teeth1.5 Dental Restorations1.6 Broken Fillings & Cavities1.7 Lack Of Connection With The Whitening Agent.

Can rotten teeth be white again?

Not every dead tooth will respond to teeth whitening treatments. If this is the case, you may need to consider other options, such as porcelain veneers or crowns. These treatments will encase the discolored tooth, and your smile will be bright as ever.

How fast does baking soda whiten teeth?

But on average, it can start to remove surface stains within just 2 days. However, it may take as long as two to three weeks to notice small noticeable results. Severity of Stains. The time it takes to see results with baking soda depends on the severity and nature of the stains.

Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening?

If used over time and without the aid of a professional cosmetic dentist, this treatment could cause tooth sensitivity and at times pain. The worst part for these patients is that by affecting the enamel and causing teeth to become more sensitive overall, the teeth are then primed to become even more stained over time!

Why won't my teeth whiten no matter what I do?

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.

What color makes your teeth look the whitest?

Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food.

How long can a dead tooth stay in your mouth?

The timeline can vary greatly and is influenced by several factors, such as the extent of decay or trauma, oral hygiene habits, and individual health variables. In some cases, a dead tooth could stay in the mouth for many months or even years without causing any apparent issues.

Can decayed teeth be whitened?

In some cases, the whitening treatments can end up permanently damaging the tooth. Things are even worse if the tooth is already decayed. Whitening treatments are not effective on stains and discoloration caused by tooth decay and it can end up damaging the tooth even more.

How to remove stains from teeth instantly?

Another way to remove stains from teeth is to use baking soda and water. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with eight ounces of water, and swish it around in your mouth for about two minutes. Spit it out, and rinse your mouth with water.

What vitamin deficiency causes teeth discoloration?

Vitamin Deficiencies Can Affect Your Smile

Vitamin B12 deficiency — This essential vitamin helps eliminate bacteria in your mouth, preventing plaque from building up and causing tooth discoloration. If your teeth are stained and your gums are unusually red, you may need to incorporate more B12 into your diet.

Is it harmful to brush teeth with baking soda?

Does brushing with baking soda damage teeth? Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.

Is it possible for teeth to not whiten?

You may not see it, but your teeth may have a dirty biofilm or layer of plaque buildup that is preventing the whitening agents from targeting your tooth stains.

Why do my teeth still look yellow after whitening?

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.

Is it possible for teeth whitening to not work?

If your teeth have too much plaque coating their surfaces, your teeth whitening results may not be all that you've wished them to be. You might need to schedule other dental work as well before you're reading for teeth whitening treatments.

What do dentists think of yellow teeth?

It may just be the natural color of your dentin shining through. If you're practicing good oral care such as avoiding smoking, brushing twice a day, flossing, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, regularly visiting your dentist, a healthy diet, adequate water intake, and limiting certain beverages, you should be a-okay.

Do teeth whitening strips work?

If you have stains from lifestyle habits like drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes, teeth whitening strips will be able to noticeably improve your teeth by a couple of shades. However, if you have very heavy staining, you may need to have a professional whitening treatment to get the results you want.

Do teeth stain easier as you age?

As we age, our teeth naturally yellow due to enamel thinning, which exposes the underlying dentin that has a yellowish tint. Moreover, tiny holes in the enamel can enlarge over time, making teeth more susceptible to staining.

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