Teeth Whitening Archives - Susan M. Dennis, D.D.S

White Spots on My Teeth

Posted on June 13, 2025 by writeradmin.

My teeth have always had white spots on them, ever since I was a little girl. The older I got, the more embarrassing it became. My parents couldn’t afford to do anything about it. Now that I am an adult, I want to do something, but my dentist said my teeth are healthy, so why would I want to mess with something that isn’t broken. But, they bother me. I’ve been looking into options myself. The Lumineers advertisements look good, but they’re expensive. I asked my dentist about them and she said she’d be willing to take their seminar if it meant that much to me. The other option I’ve been looking at is teeth whitening. That is much less expensive. When I mentioned that, my dentist said that there are over-the-counter options for that. Are those as good as the stuff people get with their dentist?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Porcelain veneer

I’m glad you wrote. Your dentist’s comment is typical of someone who does not do cosmetic dentistry—”If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” But, if you don’t like the way it looks and it makes you uncomfortable to smile, then it is broken. However, Neither of the options you mentioned is a good idea.

Let’s start with Lumineers. This is simply a brand of porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, it happens to be a brand that is highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. The problem with that is twofold. First, porcelain veneers are one of the most advanced cosmetic procedures there is. It takes not only post-doctoral training, but years of practice and an artistic eye to do it well. A seminar with Lumineers doesn’t cut it. Second, the Lumineers brand requires dentists to use their lab, which is not known for its artistic results. In fact, most skilled cosmetic dentists will not place Lumineers for that reason.

To answer your question about teeth whitening, the over-the-counter options will be much weaker than what you can get with a dentist. While professional strength teeth whitening is a wonderful procedure and one easy enough for any dentist to do, it won’t work in your case. This is because it whitens teeth evenly. Your white spots will whiten right along with the rest of your tooth surface so they will still be visible.

You have a couple of options for your situation. If your white spots are small, then dental bonding could work just fine. If they are larger, I would go with porcelain veneers. Both of these options will require an expert cosmetic dentist. Do not let your current dentist do them.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

My Teeth Next to My Veneers Look Weird

Posted on May 17, 2025 by writeradmin.

i had four porcelain veneers placed. They look fine and are nice and white. The problem I have is that the teeth next to them are not and that makes my nice pretty veneers look fake. Do you have a recommendation for how to handle this?

Denae

Dear Denae,

I am very glad you wrote. Most smiles are eight to ten teeth wide, so I can understand why your teeth look mismatched. Not many people can afford ten porcelain veneers. The standard operating procedure is for a dentist to recommend that a patient get teeth whitening done before they have their porcelain veneers designed. This helps your teeth that do not have porcelain veneers to blend in naturally with the veneered teeth.

Plus, it is rare to place veneers on your bottom teeth. Whitening them will help your bottom arch to not stand out. You want both arches of teeth to look like they belong together. When we talk, the bottom teeth are what people see. When we smile, it is our top teeth that people see.

The good news is that it is not too late for you to whiten those teeth and help them look more natural. While the teeth whitening gel will not harm your porcelain veneers, it is possible for your dentist to create a custom fit teeth whitening trays which will go around the veneers and only allow the gel on your natural teeth.

I’m glad you like your smile makeover. It sounds like your dentist is not a very experienced cosmetic dentist. Sometimes when that happens, the patient ends up with a disaster of a smile that looks worse than the one they came in with. I’m glad that did not happen to you.

Get that tooth bleaching done and you will be much happier with your smile makeover.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

What Is the Best Way to Get Really White Teeth?

Posted on March 6, 2025 by writeradmin.

I’ve been using Crest Whitestrips for several months. While I can tell there has been just a bit of whitening, it’s not getting white very quickly. Is there a more effective way of getting really white teeth?

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

I’m glad you wrote. There are a few ways to get your teeth really white. Which one you use will depend on your goals. If you’re just wanting to get white teeth, then take home professional strength teeth whitening is very effective and less expensive than other options. The reason that the Whitestrips take so long is because their strength is well below what you would get through your dentist. If you are looking to whiten quickly, you can have Zoom Whitening done. It will give you a dramatic amount of whitening in one appointment. They won’t be the whitest they can get, but they will be significantly whiter. Then, if you want to go further, you can use take home trays and gel that your dentist can provide for you.

If, however, you are looking to do more than whiten your teeth, but get a complete smile makeover, then I would recommend you look into porcelain veneers. This is what celebrities turn to in order to get that Hollywood smile. They can change not just the color of your teeth, but the shape, size, and character as well. The one downside is that they are much more expensive than teeth whitening.

While teeth whitening is a very basic cosmetic procedure and just about any dentist can do it, you will need to find an expert cosmetic dentist to do porcelain veneers. Bear in mind that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. That means any dentist is permitted to do the procedures AND it is up to them how much post-doctoral training they get. You will want to check out their smile gallery to make sure they get beautiful results.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Did Whitening Toothpaste Damage My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on January 15, 2025 by writeradmin.

I need some advice. I have porcelain veneers and wanted to keep them shiny. I used a whitening toothpaste in order to take very good care of them. Then, I read something about the fact these toothpastes damage porcelain veneers and they’ll start picking up stains. I’ve been using the toothpaste for about six days and now I’m worried I’ve really messed up. If they start picking up stains, will teeth whitening bring them back? Should my dentist have warned me about what type of toothpaste to use?

Elena

Dear Elena,

I’m going to answer your last question first. Yes, your dentist should have given you instructions on how to care for your porcelain veneers. I’m glad you stopped using the whitening toothpaste. I don’t think in the small amount of time you used it that you will have much trouble with damage. If you’d been using it longer I would be more concerned.

You should be aware the teeth whitening will not change porcelain veneers. It only works on natural tooth structure. Because of that, I would like to recommend you read the information on this post on how to care for your veneers.

There is a whitening tooth paste that is safe for porcelain veneers. You could use Supersmile Toothpaste. This is specifically made for cosmetic dentist work and has a safe way of removing the stains on your veneers as well as your natural teeth without any risk to them.

Just in case you don’t get to check out that other post I linked for you, I want you to make absolutely sure that your dentist’s office does not use something like a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride on your veneers. Those will damage the surface of your veneers and permanently damage them. I only say this because your dentist did not go over care of your smile makeover and I worry that his or her office will not know the right way to care for them and could inadvertently do damage.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Can My Teeth Whiten to Match My Eyeballs?

Posted on November 4, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have an odd question. I like everything I wear to match. I even make sure my shoes, purses, and jewelry match. What I’m wondering is if I can even get my features to match. I’m getting a series of colored contacts and would like to know if I can get my teeth to match the whites of my eyeballs by whitening them. Will they get that white?

Alison

Dear Alison,

Tooth bleaching trays

The answer to that question really depends on how white your eyeballs actually are. While teeth whitening can get your teeth very white, there will be limits. Plus, it is hard to get an exact match to something. This is because the gel will keep whitening for up to two weeks even after you stop using it. That makes it difficult to predict when to stop the whitening procedure.

The good news is that there is a way to get an exact match to your eye balls if you want. In that case, I would get porcelain veneers. These can be made to order and can change anything about your smile that you would like. This includes changing the shape, size, and color.

Be aware there are some precautions to take. Teeth whitening is the most simple procedure available, which means that pretty much any dentist can do it. Porcelain veneers, however, are different. They are an advanced cosmetic procedure which requires post-doctoral training to do well. Additionally, you will want someone with artistic talent. They’re creating a smile for you.

While cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty and any dentist can technically call themselves a cosmetic dentist, smile makeovers are not adequately taught in dental school. A dentist really does need to get additional training. There are way too many cosmetic dentistry horror stories from patients who had it done by an unqualified dentist. Make sure you check out their smile gallery in order to get an idea of the type of result they achieve. If they don’t have a smile gallery, that is a sign you need to look elsewhere.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Why Can’t I Whiten My Teeth By Rinsing with Peroxide?

Posted on October 19, 2024 by writeradmin.

I understand that dentists use a peroxide to whiten your teeth. Why can’t I just rinse with some over-the-counter peroxide at home and whiten my teeth that way?

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

Tooth bleaching trays

You are correct that dentists will use a peroxide gel to whiten your teeth. However, the peroxide you get over the counter is a bit different. It’s strength is about 3%. What your dentist uses will be at least ten times stronger than that. Even then, in order for it to have any whitening affect, it needs to be in contact with your tooth enamel for a minimum of fifteen minutes. I don’t think you could rinse your mouth for fifteen minutes.

For argument’s sake, let’s suppose you could. Your saliva would continually dilute it, which would weaken it even further. However, the bigger problem comes with peroxide’s bacteria killing properties. When you have professional teeth whitening done, your dentist will provide you with custom-fit teeth whitening trays. These trays are designed to both keep the whitening gel on your teeth, while protecting your mouth from the peroxide.

Along with the bad bacteria in your mouth, there is good bacteria there too. Peroxide does not discriminate. It will kill both equally. This will lead to you getting oral thrush in your mouth, which is a type of yeast infection. In fact, that will happen faster than your teeth will whiten.

While I appreciate that you are trying to find economic ways to utilize the things you have available to get the smile you want, this will end up backfiring on you and cause you more problems instead of improving your smile.

If it is simply a cost issue, I would talk to your dentist and see if he or she will allow you to pay out your teeth whitening. It’s possible they will not have a problem with that. If they don’t agree to do that, teeth whitening is one of the more affordable of the cosmetic dentistry procedures. I bet if you put a little aside every pay check, it wouldn’t take long for you to save up enough. That is a much safer option for you. Plus, your teeth will whiten much faster.

This blog is brought to you by Portage, MI Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.
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Can I Whiten My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on September 5, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have had porcelain veneers for about seven months. They started out very white, but have started picking up stains. I think it is because I drink a lot of coffee. That’s initially why I got porcelain veneers to begin with. That, and I have a chipped tooth. Is there a way for me to get these veneers back to how white they were when I first got them with something like teeth whitening?

Sara

Dear Sara,

For the benefit of others who may be reading this, I wanted to mention another option for improving your smile when it comes to the two things you mentioned: chips and discoloration. While you will find that porcelain veneers are the top of the line treatment for a smile makeover, you can find a suitable, less expensive option for those two things, if necessary. Another option is teeth whitening and dental bonding (for the chipped teeth). Dental bonding will not last as long as porcelain veneers, so you should expect to replace it periodically.

That being said, something has gone wrong with your porcelain veneers. The glazing on them should protect them from stains even better than your natural teeth would. Because of that, when they’re well cared for they will be white for quite some time, even if you drink coffee. You have only had yours for seven months so there should not be staining on them. If there is, the glazing has been damaged.

There are a few ways that this can happen. One of them is if you used something on the veneers which could damage them, such as over-the-counter whitening toothpastes. However, given the timing, this sounds more like your hygienist used something that damaged the glazing. It’s possible she used something like a power prophy jet or acidulated fluoride. This will scratch the glazing on your porcelain veneers, which in turn allows it to pick up stains.

While teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, they can polish them back up to their natural shine. This will take away the stains, but will not restore the glaze. If they were the ones to damage them, I think they should replace them.

If you are wanting to use a whitening toothpaste on your veneers, the only one I’d recommend is Supersmile Toothpaste. They use a protein pellicle, instead of an abrasive the way most whitening toothpastes do.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Brown Spots On Teeth

Posted on August 6, 2024 by writeradmin.

I have had some brown discoloration on my teeth ever since my adult teeth came in. They’ve been an embarrassment my entire life. I’ve recently graduated from college and need to improve my smile if I am going to get a good job. My dentist and I have experimented with a ton of those over-the-counter boxes and kits for whitening. The problem we have run into is they don’t whiten the brown spots, just the already white part. She’s now considering two options. First, I could go to another dentist who does teeth whitening and see if professional strength teeth whitening will have more effect on my spots. Second, she could try grinding down the brown parts to get rid of them. She isn’t sure how much she’d have to ground down, so this has me a bit worried. What is the better option for me? I feel stuck with choosing.

Alana

Dear Alana,

Tooth bleaching trays

Though there is a solution for your teeth, I am going to tell you upfront that neither of the options your dentist has suggested will work. I can tell your dentist cares about you and is honest because one of the first options she suggested is that you can get a treatment that she didn’t even offer. This tells me she would rather someone else make the money if it gets you the help you need. That being said, she is in over her head.

Like you experienced with the over-the-counter teeth whitening, professional teeth whitening will not take care of the brown spots. While it will whiten your teeth more efficiently and safely than the stuff you purchase at a store, it whitens your teeth evenly. This means that the brown spots will end up looking more noticeable.

As for her second suggestion, please do not allow her to grind down your teeth. Your issue requires an understanding of advanced cosmetic dental issues. She doesn’t understand teeth whitening, which is the most basic of all the procedures.

The Solution for Browns Spots

There are two good options for you. The first is to have dental bonding done on the tooth. This is where a cosmetic dentist covers the brown spots with a white composite, similar to a dental filling. These will need to be replaced every few years and are not as stain resistant as the second option.

Another procedure is porcelain veneers. With this procedure, cosmetic dentists will use tiny wafers of porcelain that will cover the entire front of your teeth. When well taken care of, they can last a lifetime. Plus, porcelain is very stain resistant; even more stain resistant than your natural teeth.

The caveat is that both of these procedures are very advanced cosmetic procedures, which would require a dentist who has invested in post-doctoral training and knows how to do them well.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Teeth Whitening or Fillings First?

Posted on June 1, 2024 by writeradmin.

I need to get a crown on a canine tooth. One of the things I want to deal with before I get the crown is the color of my teeth. I was told that I would not be able to whiten the crown after it is made. So, I’d like to take care of that before getting my crown. I also have quite a few composite fillings that I am guessing will not change color with teeth whitening either. Should I whiten my teeth and then change the fillings? Or should I try to guess the color I’ll end up with and go that way?

Pamela

Dear Pamela,

Tooth bleaching trays

Your dentist is correct that the porcelain crown you get will not be impacted by teeth whitening. I am glad that he or she warned you about that. Too many people don’t learn that until it is too late and they go to get their teeth bleached. You are also correct that the teeth whitening will not do anything to the fillings.

It will be impossible for you to guess the final color for your bleaching efforts. This is because even after you stop whitening, your teeth continue to get a bit brighter for up to two weeks as oxidation continues. With all that in consideration, I would recommend you do all of the bleaching you want first and then get your dental fillings and the crown done. You are wise to get guidance on this.

There is a good option for you. My suggestion is to get take-home whitening, where you wear the bleaching trays for the length of time you want each day until you achieve the whiteness you’re hoping for.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Bonding, Whitening, and Tetracycline Stains

Posted on April 4, 2024 by writeradmin.

I had tetracycline stains because of some medication when I was a child. I had dental bonding done quite a few years ago. Now the bonding is chipped and discolored. I can’t get porcelain veneers at this time because of finances. I was hoping that there have been advances in teeth whitening that will take care of my tetracycline stains and then I can just take off the dental bonding and whiten the teeth. Can you advise me?

Pearl

Dear Pearl,

Tooth bleaching trays

A lot of what you can do from here depends on how your dental bonding was placed. If your dentist placed the dental bonding on top of intact tooth enamel, than the aging bonding can be removed. However, if your dentist removed the enamel before placing the bonding, then your options are limited.

If your bonding is removable, then teeth whitening is a solution. My suggestion would be to have your dentist set you up with teeth bleaching trays and whiten your teeth with the strongest gel that you are able to tolerate. If your dentist has KöR Whitening available, that has some additional strength benefits. If you are persistent, the whitening can make a huge difference. I would bleach your teeth every night for at least a couple of months. You will find your teeth look much better.

Don’t do something like Zoom or laser treatments, even though they are stronger. It is also much more expensive and you will need quite a few treatments. Stick with the good old bleach take home trays. You’ll get the same results, though it will take a little longer, at a fraction of the cost. One type of take home whitening that is stronger than others is KöR Whitening. You could see if your dentist offers that.

Of course, they won’t have the same exact beauty you could get with porcelain veneers if you went to an expert cosmetic dentist, but you will be much happier with your smile.

If the enamel was removed, however, your only real option is to get porcelain veneers. I would not just go to any cosmetic dentist, and definitely not the cheapest. Porcelain veneers are an advanced cosmetic procedure and tetracycline stains are the most challenging type of those cases. Save up and go to the best you can find.

Hopefully, you can at least start with the teeth whitening option and then eventually get porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.