Are you really tired of the dingy color of your teeth? Professional teeth whitening services are available at dental clinics for people who feel like this; however, these services are not ideal for everyone. For the services to be effective, a person must meet certain conditions. Here are some of the factors that can help you determine if you would be a good candidate for professional teeth whitening services.

Are the Stains Intrinsic or Extrinsic?

There are three main qualities or factors that dentists will use to determine if a person is a good candidate for teeth whitening services, and the first factor involves the types of stains on a person's teeth. There are two main categories of staining dentists use: extrinsic and intrinsic. 

Extrinsic—These are normal types of stains found on the outside of teeth. Teeth will naturally stain over time, and they are more likely to stain if you drink coffee, tea, or red wine. Smoking will also lead to faster staining on the teeth. These types of stains are much easier to treat, for whitening purposes, than intrinsic stains.

Intrinsic—When stains on teeth are located on the inner layers of the teeth, they are called intrinsic stains. These types of stains do not go away easily, and professional teeth whitening services are not always helpful for these. Intrinsic stains can occur from the use of tetracycline use as a child or the use of too much fluoride.

If your stains are extrinsic, professional services for whitening teeth can be an effective solution for your problem. Intrinsic stains may be better treated by dentists. 

Are Your Teeth in Good Condition or Overly Sensitive?

A second factor that matters in this decision involves the health of your teeth. To use professional whitening methods, a dentist will want to see that your teeth are in relatively good condition. If you have any cavities or other types of problems, the dentist is likely to recommend fixing those problems first.

Another issue that can affect this decision is the level of sensitivity you experience with your teeth. Professional whitening can be painful if you have overly sensitive teeth, and overly sensitive teeth are often the result of worn out enamel on the teeth. If your teeth do not have enough enamel, they are not being protected well. This can not only lead to sensitivity in your teeth, but it can also lead to other problems, such as cavities.

Do You Have Any Artificial Teeth?

The final factor a dentist might look at is the number and location of any artificial teeth you have in your mouth. Artificial teeth can refer to crowns and veneers found on your teeth, and this can also include dental implants or bridges. If you have any of these types of dental products in your mouth, whitening might not work well, simply because artificial teeth will not bleach the same as real teeth.

Because of this, you might notice inconsistencies with the color of your teeth after you get them whitened. The differences in color will most likely be found on any artificial teeth you have. If your artificial teeth are located in the back of your mouth, it probably will not be noticeable like it would be if the artificial teeth were located in the front of your mouth.

Professional teeth whitening can leave your teeth much brighter and whiter, and the result will last for a long time. To find out if you are a good candidate for these or other services, contact a dental clinic in your city today. Resources like http://silverstonefamilydental.com may be a good start.