Why Your Teeth Whitening Treatments Aren’t Working - SportingSmiles (2024)

FAQs

Why aren t my teeth whitening strips working? ›

Too much plaque and tartar

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. If you don't properly brush, sticky plaque hardens into tartar, trapping the stains on the surface of the teeth.

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.

If your teeth and gums aren't in the best shape or if you've had a lot of previous dental work, both issues can affect your results with traditional teeth whitening treatments. You won't be able to whiten either porcelain crowns or most commonly used dental bonding materials.

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 enamel that covers your dentin is transparent, so any natural coloration in the dentin will be visible on the teeth. You should also remember that surface whitening or toothbrushing won't make your teeth perfectly white if you have dark dentin because it's already slightly colored.

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.

Over the counter hydrogen peroxide solutions are also usually 3% hydrogen peroxide. Unfortunately, with over the counter hydrogen peroxide solution it is virtually impossible to keep active hydrogen peroxide on your teeth for long enough to whiten them.

So, why do teeth not stay white after whitening? Well, there are a few reasons: What You Eat and Drink: Things like coffee, tea, and stuff with dark colors can stain your teeth. Smoking and Chewing Tobacco: Yeah, these can make your teeth go yellow too.

If your teeth have any signs of decay or worn enamel, then you may also experience sensitivity if you undertake treatment. Additionally, you should note that if you have crowns or veneers, then these will not be whitened by the teeth whitening process.

Why aren't my teeth going white? ›

Certain foods and beverages can stain your teeth.

It may come as no surprise to you that foods and beverages are a common cause of stains on your teeth. However, coffee, tea, and wine are not the only culprits. Stains on your teeth can be caused by certain sauces like BBQ sauce, ketchup, and marinara.

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.

Professional whitening treatments typically use stronger concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, clarifies Dr. Clemens. As you might expect, that brings faster and more dramatic results. A 30-minute session with your dentist may be all you need to increase the wattage of your smile.

The Contact With the Teeth Is Not Good

Your teeth will only whiten if the whitening agent has good contact with your teeth. Teeth whitening strips often loosen. They cannot hold full contact enough to whiten your teeth. This often leaves untreated areas.

As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.

A lot of the time, the edges of your teeth respond more quickly to bleaching than the inner areas since the bleach can penetrate the enamel more rapidly. The center of your tooth has more enamel than the outside, so it takes longer to show results.

Usually you have to put them on twice a day for an average of 2 weeks. Finally, whitening strips deliver quick results. Your teeth should begin to look whiter within a few days of using the strips and the results should last at least 4 months.