Why Your At-Home Dental Whitening Treatments Aren't Working

Having white teeth is the ideal for many people, but it always isn't easy to accomplish. If you can't figure out why your at-home whitening treatments aren't working as well as you'd like, this guide can give you an idea.

How They Work

Tooth whitening kits at home typically rely upon substances like peroxide in order to make teeth appear whiter. These substances are very effective at whitening teeth, but only if your teeth are in an ideal, healthy condition.

Peroxide can help to whiten teeth by breaking up surface stains that are embedded in the enamel of your teeth. This makes teeth look whiter and shinier, but if your enamel isn't in the best condition, peroxide may not be able to help you.

The Condition of Your Enamel

Enamel on the surface of your teeth serves several different purposes. It helps to protect the inner surface of your teeth from damage, but it also is what allows your teeth to look white and healthy.

When the enamel is damaged, peroxide can't repair it or make it look any better than it already does. What's happening here is that when enamel becomes thin enough, you begin to see the underlying structures of the teeth. Since dentin, the next layer down, tends to be brown or yellow, it can make your teeth look ugly or discolored. However, you might not have a single surface stain on your enamel. To make matters worse, repeated treatments with at-home kits containing peroxide and other abrasive substances can continue to weaken your enamel, making your teeth look worse over time.

What To Do

If you're not happy with your results with at-home whitening kits, it's time to visit a dental office like Dansville Family Dental Care. Cosmetic dentists can whiten your teeth effectively because they have access to a wide range of whitening tools and substances, like light-activated whitening gels that brighten teeth instantly. However, they can also help to repair the damage to your enamel, which will keep your teeth safe from further damage and hide the underlying structures of your teeth. You and your cosmetic dentist will work together to formulate a plan to make your teeth look great while simultaneously improving their health and keeping them safe.

Whitening kits work well for some people, but not everyone. If you haven't had any luck with these kits, it might be your first sign that there's a problem with your dental enamel. Going to a dentist for help now can prevent cavities and nerve pain, so head to a cosmetic dentist to find out how they can help you get the pearly whites you're dreaming of.

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