Why do my teeth look weird after whitening strips?

Author: Dr. Deonte Kutch PhD  |  Last update: Saturday, October 11, 2025

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.

Why do my teeth look patchy after whitening strips?

As the acids leach away minerals from the tooth enamel, they leave behind chalky, white patches.

Do teeth go back to normal after whitening strips?

Yes, teeth can gradually return to their original color after using whitening strips. This is because the whitening effect is not permanent. The rate at which teeth revert to their original color can depend on dietary habits, oral hygiene, and the natural tendency of the teeth to stain over time.

How to fix translucent teeth from whitening?

How Do You Treat Translucent Teeth? Your dentist may use methods like bonding, veneers or crowns to fix the translucency of your teeth.

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.

Does Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth? A Dentist Explains #smiletipsforlife #crestwhitestrips

Why won't my teeth whiten with strips?

Some stains are on the surface of the teeth, while others are internal. Teeth whitening strips can't fix internal staining caused by an injury or a side effect of a medication like an antibiotic or antihistamine. Teeth whitening strips also don't work well on dental restorations like crowns, caps, and veneers.

What teeth cannot be whitened?

Teeth that have yellowed with age

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

Can whitening strips make teeth translucent?

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.

Can you rebuild tooth enamel?

Your body cannot make new enamel; however, you can strengthen and repair existing enamel. This happens through a process called remineralization, which naturally occurs when essential minerals like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate reunite with your enamel.

Can you reverse translucent teeth?

Yes, there are many professional dental treatment options available to help correct the issue of translucent teeth.

How long does it take for teeth pores to close after whitening strips?

Also, avoid acidic foods such as fermented items, vinegar, pickles, and citrus fruits. Although the pores should return to normal size after 48 hours, you can be cautious for a full week to make the most out of your teeth whitening treatment.

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.

Why do my teeth whiten unevenly?

Another cause of uneven whitening that happens because of whitening is the weakening of enamel. As the enamel weakens, it reveals the underside (known as dentin), which is much yellower than the tooth's surface. If you whiten your teeth too much, it can lead to dentin exposure.

What do dentists think of whitening strips?

Are Teeth Whitening Strips Safe to Use? Whitening strips that contain bleaching products like chlorine may harm tooth enamel. This is why it's important to make sure you review the ingredients on the package, follow the brand directions, and consult with a dentist.

What happens if you leave whitening strips on longer than 30 minutes?

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.

How do you rehydrate teeth after whitening strips?

A primary way to ensure that your teeth remain hydrated is to drink enough water throughout the day. Most health professionals recommend around 8 to 9 glasses of water a day.

What does damaged enamel look like?

They usually look frail, darker in color (because of the exposed yellow dentin behind your enamel), and might even start to show signs of chipping or cracks. You can usually tell your teeth are getting thinner because the enamel seems smoother than normal.

Is there a way to whiten teeth without damaging enamel?

Here are six ways for you to naturally whiten your teeth without the use of any harmful chemicals:
  1. First things first, brush your teeth regularly: ...
  2. Oil pulling: ...
  3. Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste: ...
  4. Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels: ...
  5. Take a diet rich in fruits and vegetables: ...
  6. Go to the dentist:

Do whitening strips damage enamel?

However, if directions aren't followed and strips are left on for too long or used too often, they can be bad for teeth. Why? The active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide can not only whiten teeth, but it can also damage enamel if not used correctly.

Why didn't crest white strips work?

The Contact With the Teeth Is Not Good

They cannot hold full contact enough to whiten your teeth. This often leaves untreated areas. Teeth whitening strips often take time to work. If you have dental sensitivity, placing the dental strips on your teeth may become too strong for you to take.

Why do my teeth look see through after whitening?

Translucent teeth are usually caused by over-whitening, over-bleaching, or other excessive forms of treatment. If you see your teeth looking like this, it's time to stop what you're doing and check if your teeth have suffered long-term damage from what you're applying on them.

Why are my teeth blotchy after whitening strips?

What happens if after using Whitestrips, I have white spots on my teeth? The white spots are temporary. These spots are not harmful and will go away. The white spots are caused by a loss of water from the tooth enamel.

Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening?

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!

What gets teeth the whitest?

The following strategies may help whiten teeth:
  1. Making dietary changes. Eliminating foods that mark the teeth can prevent further staining. ...
  2. Trying oil pulling. ...
  3. Brushing with baking soda. ...
  4. Using hydrogen peroxide. ...
  5. Whitening with fruit. ...
  6. Chewing high fiber foods.

Do whitened teeth look fake?

This is a common concern, but we can assure you that professional teeth whitening treatment won't make your teeth look unnaturally white. If you've seen people whose teeth look too white to be natural, you're probably seeing their veneers, not their real teeth.

Previous article
What are the 5 S's of waxing?
Next article
How many cc is 25 units of Botox?