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.
If you've tried over-the-counter products but still aren't getting the desired results, consider professional whitening procedures or alternative solutions such as veneers or crowns. We're confident that with the right approach, you'll be able to get your teeth looking as white and bright as ever!
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.
Reasons for Stubborn Tooth Discoloration
Intrinsic stains: Intrinsic stains are stains that occur inside the tooth, often due to genetics, medication use, or trauma. These stains are harder to remove with traditional teeth whitening treatments.
Your Teeth Aren't Clean: whitening products work on clean teeth not teeth covered with plaque or calculus. Always get your teeth cleaned before going for whitening. You have too many dental Restorations: Dental restorations, such as crowns or veneersor fillings, do not respond to tooth whitening.
As well as offering long-lasting results, treatment options are both minimally invasive and practical. With products such as White Dental Beauty's 6% Hydrogen Peroxide whitening gel now available, teeth can be whitened from as little as 30 minutes a day.
Genetics – Genetics can cause some teeth to have a darker color naturally and to be more resistant to whitening. Dental Restorations – Restorative dental work, like crowns, areas with dental bonding, and fillings, won't respond to teeth whitening treatments in the same way as natural enamel.
If your teeth still appear yellow after whitening, it might be due to enamel erosion. The enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, and when it wears down, the underlying dentin, which is yellow, becomes more visible. Erosion can happen due to acidic foods, aggressive brushing, or conditions like acid reflux.
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.
Brushing your teeth is meant to remove harmful bacteria and plaque but not to whiten them. As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day is vital because it prevents cavities and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not whiten your teeth, though, and even whitening toothpaste only has a minimal effect on your teeth.
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.
The fastest and best way to whiten teeth at home is by using professional whitening gel trays. These custom trays offer the best results at a lower cost than professional treatments, with minimal risk of sensitivity or gum damage. They provide long-lasting and sustainable whitening effects when used correctly.
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!
Another reason why your teeth don't become white through brushing is that you will always stain them. Meaning, you will constantly consume food or drink or develop some habits, like smoking, that can stain your teeth. Just so you know, smoking, drinking coffee, cola, and wine can stain your teeth.
Age Considerations
As we age, our teeth naturally become darker due to wear and tear. While teeth whitening can be effective at almost any age, younger teeth typically respond better to whitening treatments.
Too much plaque and tartar
Plaque is a sticky substance created by the bacteria in your mouth. Brushing and flossing removes plaque from your teeth. If you don't brush your teeth before applying the whitening strips, the sticky plaque may block the stain-fighting chemicals from reaching your teeth.
The Link Between vitamin D Deficiency and Yellow Teeth
Increased Susceptibility to Cavities: Weak enamel due to insufficient calcium absorption increases the risk of cavities. Decayed areas can appear yellow or brown, contributing to an overall discolored smile.
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.
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.
Overly concentrated whitening agents or long treatment times can increase the risk of chemical burns on the gums, leading to blisters and tissue damage.
However, it's important to understand that your teeth are especially susceptible to discoloration and staining immediately after teeth whitening. Thus, what you do after teeth whitening, especially in the first 48 hours after treatment, determines how well your results will last.
The intrinsic type of yellow staining is tightly bonded to the organic matrix of your enamel and will not be removed by brushing alone. They are harder to eliminate, so brushing with whitening toothpaste would have negligible effect. Much more is required to remove these stains.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Teeth are thought to become more sensitive after whitening because the whitener weakens the teeth slightly, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside.
Surface-Level Cleaning Only
Your typical whitening toothpaste is designed to remove surface stains through mild abrasives. While this can help maintain your smile's brightness, it doesn't address deeper, more stubborn discoloration within the enamel. For those pesky intrinsic stains, you'll need more potent solutions.