Why do I need teeth whitening if I brush them every day?

Did you know that it’s a common misconception that you should have perfectly white teeth? Teeth are not naturally white. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended by dental professionals, you still may not have the white smile you desire. Here are a few reasons why your teeth may not be white, and how teeth whitening helps.

Your Teeth Are Not White To Begin With

The idea that teeth are perfectly white is a myth. Even if you avoid drinking dark beverages and eating acidic foods, your teeth will still be slightly off-white in appearance. Why is that?

When you look at your teeth, you see tooth enamel and dentin. Inside each tooth is hard, dense tissue called dentin. The dentin provided the structure of the tooth which is covered with enamel. Either of these can be slightly discolored. Even if your teeth never came into contact with any other substance, they would still be off-white.

Dentin is usually slightly colored, and for some people, it’s significantly colored. While the enamel that covers the dentin is transparent, any natural coloration of the dentin is visible. If you have dark dentin, teeth whitening isn’t going to make your teeth perfectly white. Brushing your teeth won’t be able to remove the color.

Teeth are Often Stained

Teeth often become stained by the things you eat or drink. Smoking can also cause staining. Coffee, soda, tomato sauce, wine, and berries can stain teeth. Even some types of antibiotics and fluoride can sometimes cause stained teeth. Even with regular brushing, your teeth can become stained if you regularly consume foods and drinks that cause stains.

Tooth Brushing is not Meant to Whiten Teeth

Dr. Dernick doesn’t recommend brushing alone or for the purpose of getting whiter teeth. He recommends you brush your teeth at least twice a day, and sometimes more. Brushing is important to help remove plaque and prevent cavities. But the bristle action of your toothbrush doesn’t whiten teeth. Even whitening toothpaste has a limited effect.

Why Your Whitening Toothpaste Isn’t Working

There are many brands of toothpaste that claim they can whiten teeth. However, many people are disappointed after finding out they don’t work as well as they had hoped. Here are three reasons why whitening toothpaste doesn’t always work:

•         Whitening toothpaste only removes some of the surface stains.
•         Toothpaste contains a very small amount of whitening chemicals.
•         Whitening chemicals take at least 20 minutes to whiten your teeth.

OTC Teeth Whitening Treatments Might Offer Some Help

In some situations, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments can provide some lightening benefits. Whitening strips, toothpaste, and mouthwashes only come into contact with the enamel. They can help remove some surface-level stains. Nothing you find at a local drugstore is going to create the white teeth you desire.

One of the biggest problems you may have with OTC teeth whitening treatment is that they are difficult to apply evenly. For instance, if you use whitening strips, it’s difficult to cover all the visible parts of your teeth with them. The edges close to the gumline and near other teeth are very difficult to cover using this type of treatment.

Dental Whitening Treatment Brightens Teeth

An in-office professional dental treatment by a dental professional at The Woodlands Dental Group is the quickest way to brighten your teeth. There are a variety of treatment options that can help remove surface or embedded stains and other discoloration. Take-home whitening, where an impression is made of your teeth and a tray is used to hold the whitening while placed around your teeth, is the gentlest way to whiten teeth but takes a little longer.,Professional tooth whitening is effective and provides long-lasting results.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

You can get an OTC tooth whitening kit at your local pharmacy. But you will be wasting your money since it isn’t going to give you the results you are looking to achieve as the formula is not the same strength as what you get at a dental office. It will cost you a bit more to get a whiter smile from your dentist in The Woodlands, TX. But you will be much happier with the results.

Talk With a Dentist About Your Teeth

To learn more about teeth whitening, request a free Whitening Report. Dr. Dernick can explain the two treatment options available.  Call 281-973-5693 today to schedule an exam.