Whitening toothpastes don’t necessarily whiten your teeth. In fact, it can damage your enamel. It can temporarily remove surface stains but it doesn’t change the natural color of your teeth or lighten stains deeper than the surface. They should not be used for extended periods of time. If you want to really improve the color of your smile, talk to your dentist about the options they have available. It may cost more in the short term, but you will get longer term results.