You might have heard that getting veneers is the only way to get pure white teeth, but is that really true? And if it is, why do teeth whitening treatments exist? Are they purposely misleading?
To put it simply, yes: veneers are the only cosmetic dental treatment that will give you true pure white teeth. That doesn’t mean whitening treatments don’t work, though. Let’s talk about why it’s impossible to get natural teeth to look pure white, why having pure white teeth might not even be a desirable goal, and how much change you can realistically expect from non-invasive whitening treatments.
Why Pure White Is So Hard to Achieve
Pure white teeth don’t exist in nature. This is because teeth aren’t actually opaque. They get their white-ish colour from the many layers of translucent enamel on their outer surface. This enamel protects the darker, more vulnerable dentin inside. The more layers of enamel are stacked on top of each other, the harder they are to see through. That’s part of why teeth tend to darken with age – older folks are more likely to have lost some enamel to wear and acid erosion over the years.
Natural teeth can be light yellow, light brown, or even light gray. It all depends on what colour your natural dentin is and how much enamel you have left. No matter how well you care for your teeth, though, you won’t have enough enamel covering that dentin to achieve a true bright white. Even brand-new adult teeth aren’t pure white! No whitening toothpaste or bleaching solution can fix that.
That’s not to say that natural teeth can’t look great. In fact, off-white teeth are often considered more attractive than “toilet bowl white” ones.
Is Pure White Possible With Veneers?
If you really want that bright white smile, you’ll need to look into getting veneers. Veneers cover all of the visible enamel on your teeth and come in any colouryou want – bright white included.
The fact that veneers are man-made is exactly what lets them pull off this magic trick. Instead of trying to make your natural teeth turn an unnatural shade, you hide them behind carefully crafted porcelain shells. Most dentists will advise against getting pure white veneers and suggest a slightly brighter shade of your natural tooth colour instead, but the option is there if you want it.
How White Can Whitening Treatments Get?
Other than veneers, all teeth whitening treatments can only lighten your teeth by a few shades. Some are stronger than others and will produce more dramatic results. Common options include:
- Professional in-office whitening treatments (up to 8 shades of whitening in a single treatment)
- Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels (2-3 shades lighter over a few weeks)
- Whitening toothpastes (1-2 shades lighter with consistent use)
- Home remedies like baking soda and lemon juice (usually do more harm than good, be careful with these!)
Get Whiter, Brighter Teeth at Ouellette Dentistry
Whether you still want that pure white smile or are okay with settling for a slightly darker shade, the team at Ouellette Dentistry can help you achieve all your smile goals. Contact us today to book a Zoom whitening session, a consultation for veneers, or any other cosmetic dental treatment that will let you smile with confidence.
