If you know that your teeth are damaged, or you've been told that your enamel is weak, getting your teeth whitened can be tricky to accomplish. Teeth whitening is designed to brighten the enamel itself, not the underlying structures of the teeth. Therefore, at best, tooth whitening can be rendered ineffective with weak enamel, and at worst, you could risk harming your teeth.

If you're interested in having your teeth whitened, but you know your enamel is weak, read on to learn what your options are.

Analysis

Your first step should be to visit a dentist. The dentist will be able to quickly examine your teeth and determine how much enamel you have remaining if any. This process is necessary to determine which method is best for caring for your teeth. If you have sufficient enamel, tooth whitening will be possible. However, even if you don't, you'll still be able to take steps to make your teeth look white and healthy.

Veneers

If your enamel is too weak for teeth whitening, you can always opt for dental veneers instead.

Rather than whitening the teeth themselves, veneers sit in front of the teeth. These thin sheets of porcelain are custom-designed to look exactly like your real teeth - or better, if your teeth are visibly damaged - and the shade can be handpicked by you. If you want your teeth to be a glowing white, that's completely possible and a common choice when patients choose veneers.

If you choose veneers, your dentist will take measurements, and the two of you will choose a shade of white for your new veneers. You'll have to come back once the veneers have been shipped to your dentist's office to have them installed. Thankfully, there's no drilling required, and the attachment can be completed in a single visit.

In-Office Whitening

If your enamel is still strong enough, your best bet for whitening your teeth is to do it in your dentist's office. Your dentist has an innate understanding of what the enamel on your teeth can tolerate and will choose an appropriate whitening substance. They'll also take careful steps to ensure that it doesn't stay on too long, like at-home kits often do, as well as making sure that the whitening material doesn't touch your gums, which is also common at home.

Having white and perfect-looking teeth is possible, even if your enamel is nearly non-existent. If you're worried about the condition of your teeth preventing you from getting them whitened, talk to a dentist to find out if whitening or veneers are a better choice for your dental situation.