Millions of people use teeth whitening products to get their teeth pearly white. However, these products don’t always work. Let’s take a closer look at these products and the stains that they fight, and explore why teeth whitening might not work for you in some cases.
Risks of Teeth Whitening Products
It’s essential to follow the directions listed on your teeth whitening products exactly. Letting teeth whitening solutions sit on your teeth longer than directed, using them too often, or using concentrations that are too high, can damage your teeth.
Using teeth whitening products as directed can also pose some risks to your teeth, including the following:
- Increased teeth sensitivity
- Gum irritation
- Discoloration of tooth restorations (fillings, fake teeth, etc)
- Damage to tooth enamel
What Are Teeth Whitening Products?
Before we get into what can determine whitening results, let’s explore the different types of teeth whitening products. Which ones you use can determine how well they work. Let’s take a look at products you can use at home to whiten your teeth first. These products generally use relatively low concentrations of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth, and can lighten teeth in many cases by about 1 or 2 shades.
Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening ToothpastesCompared to typical toothpastes, whitening toothpastes often use higher amounts of abrasive materials, in order to remove tougher stains. Whitening toothpastes also usually use a low concentration of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that help lighten tooth color.
Strips and Gels
Strips and gels use a thin layer of peroxide gel, which sits on teeth for a short time. Users are generally instructed to use these products once or twice a day, for about 14 days. These whitening strips were originally introduced in the 1980’s, and they are some of the oldest forms of teeth whitening products.
Rinses
Whitening rinses use low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to react with stains and whiten teeth. Users are generally instructed to rinse twice daily for about 60 seconds, and these rinses take about 3 months to show results.
Trays
Over-the-counter (OTC) tray-based whiteners use plastic trays that are fitted to the user’s teeth. These trays use carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth. The user wears the trays for about 2 to 4 hours, which can show a 1 or 2 shade improvement in a few days.
Professional Whitening
Many dentists also offer professional whitening services, which can lighten teeth more drastically than 1 or 2 shades. These products use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide than OTC products, and they must be used carefully. Dentists will typically protect the gums when applying these products. These whitening solutions may sit on the teeth for about 30 or 60 minutes to lighten stains.
Why Teeth Whitening Might Not Work
Teeth whitening works for many people, but not everyone gets the results that they expect. There are a few reasons for this. Let’s take a closer look.
Teeth Aren’t Naturally White
The first reason that teeth whitening might not work is that your expectations don’t align with the natural color of your teeth. It’s important to understand that teeth are not naturally completely white. Dentin, the substance that makes up your teeth, is actually a light yellow color. Tooth enamel, the hard covering protecting your teeth, is translucent, which means that the yellow color of the dentin will show through it.
Teeth whitening can lighten the color of your teeth a few shades, but it might not bring your teeth to a bright, white color. Representations on television, magazines, and social media can lead us to believe that bright, white teeth are most desirable, but this might not be a realistic expectation.
Different Kinds of Stains
When whitening your teeth, it’s helpful to understand that there are two different types of stains. Intrinsic stains are underneath your tooth enamel, and can be determined by health factors like tooth decay, nutrition, antibiotics, and more. Extrinsic staining, which occurs on top of the tooth enamel, comes from tobacco, foods, and drinks. Teeth whitening is more likely to lighten extrinsic stains.
Tooth decay can damage the internal structures of the tooth, and cause prominent yellow, brown, or black stains. If your teeth are discolored from tooth decay, teeth whitening might not work. Additionally, long-term use of the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline can also cause intrinsic staining that teeth whitening is unlikely to resolve.
Whitening Agents Are Past Expiration
Though it isn’t common, the whitening agents that you’re using can lose their potency if they’re stored incorrectly or if they’re past their expiration date. The key ingredients that make these solutions work will be less effective, and won’t whiten your teeth, if the product is too old. If you’re ready to start a whitening regiment, buy a new product, and store it in a cool, dark place, like your medicine cabinet. Don’t leave the product outside in the cold weather, in a hot car, or other extreme conditions, or it might not work properly.
Teeth Get More Yellow With Age
Another reason that teeth whitening might not work as expected is simply age. As we age, our tooth enamel wears down, and our teeth will appear more yellow in color. This is simply because the dentin becomes more visible, and teeth whitening is unlikely to change this.
Expect Just a Few Shades Lighter
It’s important to remember that OTC teeth whitening products generally only whiten teeth one or two shades. Professional whitening can white teeth a bit further, but it’s also important to mitigate your expectations. Don’t compare your teeth to those of movie stars or influencers. These are not realistic expectations, and these images are often manipulated by lighting and other effects.
While white, sparkling teeth are desirable, remember that the health of your teeth is most important. The best ways to keep your teeth healthy and white is to practice good dental hygiene, avoid tobacco products and vaping, as well as sugary foods, and see your dentist regularly. If you’re interested in dental cleaning or teeth whitening, schedule an appointment with a dentist near you today.
