Does bleaching really work?

Also, do the drug store bleaching kits work as good as the ones a dentist makes you? A. Yes, bleaching does really work, although results do vary from patient to patient. Just as your skin contains millions of pores your teeth contain millions of what are referred to as tubules. These tubules will eventually absorb particles that will in time cause your teeth to discolor. Smoking and coffee drinking will accelerate this process. When a bleaching solution is applied to your teeth the chemical is absorbed into these tubules, bleaching out the discoloration and whitening your teeth. There's a few good reasons why a custom fit bleaching system from your dentist is more effective than the over the counter products. The over the counter trays are designed to fit in your mouth but are not custom fit to your teeth. Therefore, there is little control over where the bleaching solution goes. Since the chemical is an irritant to the gums, these over the counter solutions have to be made ...  more

How effective are over-the-counter teeth whitening products? Is it safe? My answers to these questions are always straightforward and candid. First, regarding effective bleaching. Most of the time teeth stains can be removed – but not always. Discoloration that occurs on the outer layer of the tooth – an extrinsic stain – can easily disappear with a professional bleaching agent. These types of stains are commonly caused by drinking coffee and/or red wine, and smoking. On the other hand, when an intrinsic stain develops on the inner structure of the tooth, it can be extremely difficult to remove – even with the most powerful teeth whitening treatment. For example, the antibiotic tetracycline can cause intrinsic teeth staining. Bleaching can’t always remove fluorosis either. Fluorisis is teeth streaking caused by overexposure to fluoride. In more severe cases, it can also cause gray or black spots. In general new stains are easier to remove than deep-rooted ones. And, when teeth ...  more

Yes, even with difficult stains, some whitening can be expected.