First of all, don't worry! The white, patchy, streaky, or lined look of teeth after whitening is normal – it's called enamel
These trays are custom-made for your smile and can ensure that you end up with smooth results. If you opt for an over-the-counter option, such as whitening gels or strips, they will not be able to cover the entirety of your tooth and can lead to patchy results.
To fix patchy teeth whitening, you can perform spot treatments with a pumice stone and hydrochloric acid. However, you'll want to check with your dentist before taking action. Patchy teeth whitening can be caused by several of these, with dehydration of your tooth enamel's surface being one of them.
And like all other chemicals, its frequent and excessive use can cause potential tooth damage. Overuse of teeth whitening products is known to wear off tooth enamel. This may increase the chances of tooth sensitivity because of the gap arising between teeth spaces.
Some areas of your teeth can whiten more quickly than others. This can result in uneven whitening or spots. This can happen on the first try if you have a demineralization problem. In some cases, the spots may go away towards the end of the treatment period.
First of all, don't worry! The white, patchy, streaky, or lined look of teeth after whitening is normal – it's called enamel demineralization.
You might be tempted to leave whitening strips on your teeth for a little longer, but this will increase the risk and severity of side effects like sensitivity and gum irritation. In some cases, overuse of whitening strips has even led to chemical burns on the gums.
Using Ill-Fitting Whitening Trays
One-size-fits-all teeth whitening trays sold in shops can lead to some problems. The whitening gel may leak if the tray doesn't fit your mouth, potentially irritating your gums. Also, if the whitening ingredients leak out of the tray, you may not see results!
It is advisable to see your dentist, who will check what the issue may be. Usually, the first thing to try is continuing with the whitening. Usually, you just need an extra syringe or two of gel to achieve a good result. The other check the dentist will make at this stage is the fit of your whitening trays.
The myth that teeth whitening will make your teeth more susceptible to staining is mostly untrue. In the first couple days after whitening, you must avoid foods and beverages with dark pigments, such as coffee and berries. After the pores in your enamel close, your teeth will retain their newly whitened color.
Uneven color post-whitening can result from the bleach reacting differently across your teeth due to variations in enamel thickness and mineral content. This usually evens out with time and proper oral hygiene.
The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.
What Causes White Spots on Teeth? There are various causes of white spots on teeth, such as excess fluoride, vitamin deficiency, infections and illnesses, trauma on teeth, poor dental hygiene, dental hypoplasia, and consuming many sugary or acidic foods and drinks, plaque, dry mouth, among others.
What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.
Schedule a Follow-Up Consultation and Treatment
If your last whitening treatment didn't provide the desired results, a follow-up session may be all you need. In-office treatments like KöR® Teeth Whitening can be repeated after a few weeks, provided your teeth are healthy enough for a touch-up treatment.
Most dentists recommend not to use whitener consecutively. The general advice is to use them up to two to three times a week, depending on the product. Many at-home kits can be used for 14 consecutive days. Don't use them beyond that or you could risk damaging your teeth.
If used over time and without the aid of a professional cosmetic dentist, this treatment could cause tooth sensitivity and at times pain. The worst part for these patients is that by affecting the enamel and causing teeth to become more sensitive overall, the teeth are then primed to become even more stained over time!
If your teeth still appear yellow after whitening, it might be due to enamel erosion. The enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, and when it wears down, the underlying dentin, which is yellow, becomes more visible. Erosion can happen due to acidic foods, aggressive brushing, or conditions like acid reflux.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
But people who consistently overuse whitening products can develop long-term tooth sensitivity or even significant tooth erosion, says Nadia Rodriguez, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.
Intrinsic Stains
They can be caused by factors like trauma, excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development, or certain medications. Since teeth whitening treatments primarily target the outer layer of the teeth, they may have limited effectiveness in removing these deeper stains.
Brushing too soon could potentially damage this delicate layer and lead to tooth sensitivity or even enamel erosion over time. To strike a balance between these perspectives, dentists often recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after using whitening strips.
The Common Ingredients in Teeth Whitening Gels
Bleaches like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide break down stains on the enamel but can irritate if left on too long.
If you experience teeth translucency after teeth whitening, don't panic! This relatively common side effect usually subsides within a few weeks. To prevent this, use safe and gentle teeth whitening solutions or discuss options with your dentist to ensure a lasting result without the risk of enamel damage.