When most people think about brightening their smile, they think of whitening their teeth. For this reason, the term whitening is often used to cover every treatment option available to restore a white color to the teeth. However, there is a distinct difference between whitening products and dental bleaching. Teeth whitening products, such as toothpastes, are designed to remove particles and stains on the surface of the tooth. While this can be beneficial and provide great results for removing external tooth discoloration, they will not address any internal discoloration of the teeth.
In order to address internal discoloration, a tooth whitening treatment with a bleaching agent that can penetrate through the enamel and break down internal discoloration is necessary. While over-the-counter products can be effective for mild internal discoloration, the bleaching concentrations are lower than those that cosmetic dentists offer and can take multiple applications to achieve the change you are looking for without the increased risk of potential side effects. Your best bet when it comes to really whitening your smile is visiting a cosmetic dentist and discussing your best options.