Why are my teeth whitening strips not whitening evenly?

Author: Zander Labadie  |  Last update: Saturday, August 30, 2025

During the time the strips are on your teeth, it is important to avoid eating, drinking, or speaking excessively. These activities can cause the strips to move or slip, which can lead to uneven whitening and reduced effectiveness.

Why are my whitening strips not whitening evenly?

Using teeth whitening strips can whiten your enamel. But if you have many dental restorations, you may experience uneven whitening. Some of your dental stains may also cause this unevenness. You can go to your dentist to update your restorations while you use your teeth whitening strips.

How to fix uneven teeth whitening from strips?

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.

Why are my teeth patchy white after whitening strips?

To reiterate, these white streaks after whitening are normal, will disappear as your teeth remineralize and won't harm your teeth or oral health. So don't worry – it's only temporary dehydration causing the white marks.

Why are my teeth whitening unevenly?

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.

The Right and Wrong Way to use Teeth Whitening Strips - A Dentist Explains

Why aren't my teeth getting whiter with whitening strips?

Too much plaque and tartar

Plaque is a sticky substance created by the bacteria in your mouth. Brushing and flossing removes plaque from your teeth. If you don't brush your teeth before applying the whitening strips, the sticky plaque may block the stain-fighting chemicals from reaching your teeth.

Why do my teeth still look yellow after whitening?

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.

Should I brush after whitening strips?

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.

Why do my teeth not look white after whitening?

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.

How do you know if teeth whitening strips are working?

However, after a few days, many people who use Crest 3D White Whitestrips can already see a brighter difference in their smile. Friends or family may also begin to comment on the change! You can also see the result by looking at your back teeth.

How do you align whitening strips?

Start by aligning the strips with your gum line, being careful not to overlap with the gums to avoid irritation. Smooth the strips gently over the front surface of your teeth, ensuring that the gel side is in full contact with the enamel.

What happens if I leave a teeth whitening strip on for too long?

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.

What do dehydrated teeth look like?

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.

Do whitening strips work better wet or dry?

The general rule of thumb is that your teeth should be dry when applying whitening strips. Moisture can interfere with the adhesion of the strips to your teeth, reducing their effectiveness. Before applying the strips, it's crucial to ensure your teeth are clean and completely dry.

What is the lawsuit against Crest White Strips?

Procter & Gamble Co. was hit with an infringement lawsuit in federal court in California by Cao Group Inc., which says the consumer supplies giant's Crest 3D Whitestrip products violate its peroxide gel patents. Cao, which launched its Sheer White!

Why is my teeth whitening not working between my teeth?

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.

How to fix patchy teeth whitening strips?

Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

According to the American Dental Association, teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide breaks up stains, which helps brighten the surrounding tooth color and make white spots less noticeable.

What teeth cannot be whitened?

Teeth that have yellowed with age

Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.

Why are my teeth blotchy after whitening strips?

White spots on the surface of your teeth are usually the result of a loss of minerals in your tooth's enamel layer. It is not uncommon for patients to notice these white spots on the surface of their teeth, especially after completing an at-home teeth whitening treatment.

What not to do when using whitening strips?

Do not touch your gums with the whitening strips. The whitening agent in whitening strips can be harmful to your gums. Particularly, this agent can damage the soft tissue in your gums, which can lead to a wide array of oral health issues down the road. Apply whitening strips evenly.

Why are my teeth more yellow after whitening strips?

Whitening strips often contain peroxide-based chemicals to eliminate enamel stains, which may lead to temporary irritation and redness of the gums. This redness creates a visual contrast that can make the teeth seem more yellow.

Do I use crest 3D white strips every day?

The strips are applied to upper and lower teeth, once a day, for up to 30 minutes. Depending on the specific Crest 3D White Whitestrips product chosen, strips should be applied daily for anywhere from 10 to 20 consecutive days.

Why do whitening strips only cover the front teeth?

We do not recommend using Crest 3D Whitestrips on your back teeth because the strips are specially designed to fit front teeth — the teeth shown when you smile. If you use Whitestrips on the back teeth, the strips may become loose and eventually fall off during the wear period as a result.

Why won't my teeth whiten after whitening?

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.

Can badly yellow teeth become white again?

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

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