If your teeth whitening has gone patchy, the reason might be dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a condition that arises from excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development. Fluoride is naturally found in various sources, including water, toothpaste, and specific dental treatments.
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.
Some teeth may appear to be whiter than others because each tooth responds differently to bleaching. The composition and structure of teeth affect how they react to bleaching. For example, teeth that have less calcium will whiten much faster.
As the acids leach away minerals from the tooth enamel, they leave behind chalky, white patches.
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.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpaste or strips, may help lighten surface stains to some extent. However, a dentist's professional teeth whitening treatments are generally more effective for stubborn or deep-set stains between teeth.
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.
Hard brushing and lack of proper oral hygiene also contribute to demineralization. In some cases, a poor diet can be a cause of enamel demineralization. Once your enamel erodes, you can't get it back.
Dehydrated teeth appear white and chalky. You'll notice this more if you're a mouth breather or have a cold. It's why you may get a white spot on a tooth overnight.
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
Teeth Are Not Clean
The chemicals break down the stain molecules that cause teeth to darken. Plaque buildup can block these whitening chemicals from reaching the stained teeth. Schedule a dental cleaning appointment first before using teeth whitening strips. This can prepare your teeth well for the whitening process.
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!
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.
Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on the problem. Sometimes tooth bonding is used to protect the tooth and increase cosmetic appearance. If the enamel loss is significant, the dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown or veneer. The crown may protect the tooth from further decay.
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.
If your teeth whitening has gone patchy, the reason might be dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a condition that arises from excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development. Fluoride is naturally found in various sources, including water, toothpaste, and specific dental treatments.
Eat foods high in calcium and phosphate, such as leafy greens, dairy products, and nuts. Regular brushing and flossing will help you maintain good dental hygiene. Consider utilizing xylitol products to promote saliva production, which helps with remineralization.
The enamel helps create the smooth surface of the teeth. Once the enamel wears down and tooth demineralization occurs, the tooth surface becomes rougher with grooves.
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!
Some teeth have irregular fluoride or calcium levels. The areas that contain less fluoride or calcium lighten more quickly during home whitening, which then looks like stains on the first few days of treatment. However, this returns to normal, usually within 60 to 90 minutes after application.
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.
Brush off the stains with Baking Soda
It is an inexpensive and easy home remedy for teeth whitening. To use this home remedy: Add a few drops of water to baking soda until you form a paste. Apply the mixture to the toothbrush bristles and brush as usual for about two minutes.
The Link Between vitamin D Deficiency and Yellow Teeth
Increased Susceptibility to Cavities: Weak enamel due to insufficient calcium absorption increases the risk of cavities. Decayed areas can appear yellow or brown, contributing to an overall discolored smile.
Teeth Whitening and Bleaching
Professional whitening or bleaching treatments can even out the color of your teeth, helping to blend white spots with the surrounding enamel.