Why Won’t My Teeth Whiten? All You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
Having a sparkling white smile is something that many of us strive for, but it can be frustrating when our teeth won’t whiten. You may have tried numerous over-the-counter teeth whitening products or underwent professional whitening treatment but are disappointed at the lack of results.
Despite your best efforts to whiten your teeth, none of the treatments may have worked for you. In this article, we’ll explore some of the common reasons why teeth may not respond to whitening treatments, and what you can do to get the bright smile that you have long desired.
Common Teeth Whitening Treatments
There are several different treatments available for those looking to achieve a whiter, brighter smile.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products such as whitening toothpaste, gels, strips, and trays remains one of the most popular teeth whitening treatment. Whitening toothpaste contains abrasives while helps to remove plaque that are bonded to the teeth. In contrast, whitening gels and strips contain low concentrations of bleaching agents—hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—and remove surface stains on the enamel. Most of these products are relatively inexpensive and are readily available at a drugstore or online.
Take-home whitening kits are a popular alternative to the OTC products as they contain a higher concentration of bleaching agents and produce visible results in a shorter timeframe. However, these kits can only be prescribed by a dentist and are typically custom-fitted trays that are filled with a bleaching agent. They are worn for a certain period of time each day, usually for several weeks, to achieve the desired level of whiteness.
People who are willing to shelve out money for faster results may opt for in-clinic whitening treatments. The treatment involves the application of a high concentration of bleaching agent directly to the teeth. A laser is shone on areas of the teeth where bleaching gel is applied. This generates heat and activates the bleaching gel, dramatically enhancing the effectiveness of the whitening treatment. In general, a single laser teeth whitening treatment can improve a teeth’s brightness up to 10 times brighter.
Last but not least, there are natural teeth whitening treatments. For instance, baking soda can be mixed with water to create a whitening toothpaste substitute. The ancient practice of oil pulling with coconut oil have also been seen as an effective method to remove harmful bacteria that stains the teeth. Some also believed that the rubbing of the skins of citrus fruits can help to whiten the teeth. While there are no scientific evidence to back up the teeth whitening claims, the consumption of these citrus fruits will undoubtedly improve one’s health.
As seen, most of these whitening treatment utilize a bleaching agent. The agent work by breaking up the bond of the stain molecules that are attached to the tooth enamel, effectively splitting up the stains into smaller, unpigmented bits. However, the effectiveness of the bleaching agent vary according to the concentration of the solution as well as the current condition of the teeth.
You may be interested in: 5 Proven Ways To Remove Stains Between Teeth
It is always important to consult with a dental professional before undergoing any teeth whitening treatment to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.
Why Teeth Won’t Whiten
It can be disheartening when you have spent time and effort to try teeth whitening kits or professional whitening treatment and they do not achieve any significant results.
There are a variety of reasons why your teeth may not whiten as desired. Some of the common causes include:
- Genetics: Some people are simply predisposed to having naturally yellow or stained teeth. This can be attributed to a thinner enamel, or a darker dentin. The dentin, which are naturally yellow, is the main culprit why a teeth appears yellow. Combined with a thin enamel, the teeth can appear stained to the naked eye.
- Age: As we age, our teeth can appear to be more yellow and discolored. This is because the color of the dentin becomes darker as part of the natural aging process, as well as the fact that the enamel becomes thinner due to wear and tear.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antihistamines, or antipsychotic drugs, can cause teeth to become discolored.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar can build up on your teeth and cause them to become yellow and stained. This is one of the main reasons why your teeth won’t whiten despite multiple whitening treatments.
- Diet and lifestyle: Consuming certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, can stain your teeth. Additionally, smoking or using tobacco products can also discolor your teeth.
In conclusion, there are a variety of reasons why teeth may not whiten as desired, despite using over-the-counter or professional whitening treatments. These include genetics, age, medications, poor oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, and exposure to certain chemicals. To determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs, always consult a dental profession who can assist you in your teeth whitening journey.
FAQs
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.
Why won't my teeth whiten no matter what? ›
Your Teeth Aren't Clean
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. Consider teeth whitening after your next routine dental cleaning.
Why does teeth whitening not work for me? ›
If you have gray teeth or internal stains, dental whitening may not be an option. People who have had the antibiotic tetracycline or too much fluoride as a child may have gray stains that are impossible to remove with tooth whitening. People who have had root canal therapy may also have gray teeth.
How do I know if my teeth can't be whitened? ›
Tooth discoloration caused by medication, health conditions, or lost enamel may not respond well (or at all) to whitening treatments. On the other hand, stains from lifestyle and diet tend to respond well, but very heavy staining may require intensive whitening or other treatments to get the results you want.
What 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.
Can some yellow teeth not be whitened? ›
These types of stains are known as intrinsic stains, or stains that affect the deeper layers of the tooth (i.e., the dentin). Another common type of intrinsic stains that teeth whitening cannot treat are those caused by trauma to the tooth.
Do some teeth not respond to whitening? ›
The fact is, not all teeth respond to whitening. Furthermore, it is important to understand what whitening products you use can really make all the difference. Let's consider certain things that might keep your teeth whitening treatment from working.
When is teeth whitening not possible? ›
Teeth whitening doesn't work on dentures, crowns, fillings or veneers.
Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›
Tooth and gum sensitivity and pain
Store-bought products may contain abrasive substances like hydrogen peroxide, which can be effective if used minimally, but in large doses can cause erosion of teeth's enamel and shrinkage of the gums.
Do all teeth respond to whitening? ›
If your teeth are yellow, they may respond best to bleaching, while brown or grey teeth may not. If your teeth are striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, they may not react or whiten evenly even when bleached.
Not everyone is the right candidate for teeth whitening. For example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get whitening. People who have dental bridges or crowns may want to talk to their dentist before considering whitening. Children should be at least 16 to get this type of treatment.
Are some teeth still 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.
Who is not a good candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Those who are suffering from periodontal disease, oral cancer, or who have enamel that is excessively worn down to not make good candidates for teeth whitening either. Most other patients should not have a problem.
What to do when teeth won't whiten? ›
If your dentist determines that you are not a good candidate for professional teeth whitening, they may recommend dental veneers or crowns.
Why is it not good to whiten your teeth? ›
However, teeth whitening treatments can cause damage to the enamel if not done correctly or overused. Enamel damage can lead to increased sensitivity, pain, and white spots on your teeth. It's essential to consult with a dentist before using any teeth whitening products to ensure they're safe for your teeth.
When not to get teeth whitening? ›
This group includes patients who have teeth that have become transparent as part of the aging process, patients who are sensitive to peroxide or other chemicals used in their chosen teeth whitening treatment, patients who have ultra-sensitive teeth or gums, which may be irritated by the chemicals used in the whitening ...
Why aren't my teeth going white? ›
Everyone's teeth get a little duller with age because the outer enamel layer thins out over time. Beneath this white enamel layer is dentin, which is yellowish. Additionally, this yellow dentin grows thicker as you age, making your teeth look more yellow or duller every year.
Why are my teeth not white even though I brush everyday? ›
Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining. Sometimes, even prescription medications and fluoride can cause staining. Even if you brush your teeth daily, your teeth will likely stain over time if you regularly consume dark-colored substances.
Why are my teeth not white after whitening? ›
After the treatment, it is natural for teeth' color to regress somewhat over time. This is normal and should be gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, colas, citrus drinks, fruits, etc.
