One of the most common cosmetic dental procedures performed nowadays is teeth whitening. Many people aspire to have a white, bright smile, but not everyone is aware of whether teeth whitening is effective for all types of discoloration. While this treatment can certainly improve the appearance of your teeth, its effectiveness is dependent on the source of the discoloration.
Types of Discoloration on Teeth
Extrinsic and intrinsic tooth discoloration are the two main forms that people experience.
Extrinsic Discoloration
This refers to staining on the outer surface of the teeth, which is frequently caused by food, beverages, smoking, or poor dental hygiene. Tobacco, tea, red wine, and coffee are common offenders. Since the stains haven’t reached the tooth’s deeper layers, they are typically easier to remove.
Intrinsic Discoloration
This type of discoloration occurs inside the tooth and can be caused by a variety of factors, including certain medications, trauma, or excessive fluoride use as a child. Because the staining has affected the dentin, the inner layer of the tooth, it is more difficult to treat.
Effectiveness of Teeth Whitening on Various Discolorations
Extrinsic Stains and Whitening
The best use case for teeth whitening is external discoloration. Because these stains are on the tooth’s surface, whitening agents can readily remove them. If you smoke, drink wine, or consume coffee that has discoloured your teeth, you can greatly improve the colour of your teeth with natural or professional whitening procedures.
Intrinsic Stains and Whitening
Unfortunately, teeth whitening is less effective for intrinsic stains. It is more difficult for whitening agents to get to these stains because they are internal to the tooth. While there may be some improvement, particularly with professional treatments, it is more difficult to remove deep stains from trauma or medications.
When Teeth Whitening Might Not Work
Most whitening procedures can effectively treat most stains, but in some situations, the outcomes may not meet your expectations:
-
Deep-Seated Stains: Discoloration that originates within the inner layers of teeth, often due to trauma, medications, or fluoride exposure, may not be effectively treated with standard whitening procedures. Cosmetic dentistry alternatives like veneers or bonding can help.
-
Natural Tooth Shade Differences: Genetics, aging, and enamel density contribute to tooth color variation. Some individuals have naturally darker or more yellow-toned teeth, which may resist whitening agents.
-
Influence of Dental Work: Whitening treatments do not impact synthetic materials like crowns, veneers, or fillings, potentially leading to uneven coloration. Adjustments or replacements might be necessary for a seamless look.
-
Aging and Tooth Pigmentation: Over the years, enamel thins, revealing the naturally darker dentin beneath. Structural changes, including micro-fractures in the dentin, can make it harder for whitening treatments to be fully effective.
-
Medication and Health-Related Discoloration: Certain antibiotics, medical treatments like chemotherapy, and underlying health conditions can cause intrinsic stains that are difficult to eliminate with whitening alone, making cosmetic enhancements a better option.
-
Oral Hygiene and Daily Habits: Pre-existing dental issues like gum disease, cavities, or enamel wear can diminish the success of whitening treatments. Moreover, lifestyle choices such as smoking and consuming staining foods and beverages can rapidly dull whitening effects.
Does Teeth Whitening Treat Age-Related Discoloration?
As we age, our teeth naturally lose their bright white colour.
This frequently combines intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration. The enamel thins with age, exposing the yellowish dentin beneath. Additionally, years of exposure to foods, beverages, and habits such as smoking can result in more visible staining.
Whitening your teeth can help with some surface stains brought on by ageing, but it might not work as well for deeper discolorations related to enamel.
That said, older people who wish to bring back some of the brightness in their teeth can still see a noticeable improvement from whitening procedures like those offered by Hollywood Whitening.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while teeth whitening is highly effective for extrinsic stains caused by factors like food, drinks, and smoking, it is less successful in treating intrinsic discoloration. Deep stains from medication, trauma, or ageing may not respond well to traditional whitening treatments. However, professional solutions like those from Hollywood Whitening, which sells advanced teeth whitening machines, can still offer visible improvements, particularly for surface stains. Understanding your type of discoloration is crucial for managing expectations and achieving the best possible results.
You can also contact us, and we will provide you with all the information that is required to start a teeth whitening business from scratch
