Teeth whitening can be one of the most enticing cosmetic propositions for improving your smile. It sounds great in theory. Who wouldn’t want a brighter smile? When you actually begin the treatment process though, your results may vary. Many people have a frustrating time with teeth whitening. They either don’t see results at all, or the results they see are only temporary. Over-the-counter whitening treatments can be expensive, making it all the more frustrating when you don’t wind up with results. Here are some of the reasons why teeth whitening might not be working for you.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Tends to Leave You Wanting
For some people, over-the-counter whitening treatments work great. For many more people, the results from over-the-counter treatment just don’t cut it. That’s because the bleaching agent being used in the process isn’t strong enough. Your dentist can actually give you access to cosmetic treatments that tend to offer much better results. The whitening kits that your dentist uses are still take-home, so you can whiten your teeth on a schedule that works for you. Typically, you’ll wear the whitening trays with bleaching agent in them for a couple of hours at night. In just a few weeks, you’re likely to see significant results.
Teeth Whitening Might Not Be Working Because of the Type of Stain on Your Tooth
Extrinsic staining is the most common type of staining that people experience. This staining occurs on the surface of the tooth. Your dental enamel is actually porous, so it can absorb pigments that come from the food and drinks you consume. Over time, those pigments can aggregate and create noticeable staining on the surface of your teeth. Whitening treatment uses a bleaching agent to remove the pigment from your teeth and return them to a sparkly, white state. If the staining on your teeth is intrinsic, it can’t be bleached by a whitening agent. Intrinsic staining can be the sign of a health or hereditary condition.
Whitening Won’t Work on Cavities
If the discoloration on your tooth isn’t a stain at all, but rather, a cavity, then whitening won’t work in this case. Bacteria that build up can cause unsightly spots. These cavities need to sterilized and filled to repair the structure of your tooth. This will get rid of the discoloration. If your teeth would benefit from additional whitening treatment, you may consider moving forward with that process after restoring your tooth.
Cedar Dental Provides Whitening Treatment for Patients
If you want results that satisfy, your teeth whitening should be professional. At Cedar Dental, it can be. We provide custom-designed trays that allow you to comfortably whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home. Schedule a teeth whitening consultation at Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108.
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