Teeth whitening is a popular way to brighten smiles and rid teeth of unwanted stains, and it can be done either at home or by a dentist near you. It is not uncommon for teeth to appear uneven after teeth whitening in Winnipeg. In this article, our team at Garden City Dental Centre discusses the steps that you need to take if you notice a large difference in color across your smile after whitening your teeth.
What Causes Uneven Color After Teeth Whitening?
Here are a couple of reasons why your teeth may appear patchy after undergoing teeth whitening near you:
- A lot of the time, the edges of your teeth respond more quickly to bleaching than the inner areas since the bleach can penetrate the enamel more rapidly. The center of your tooth has more enamel than the outside, so it takes longer to show results.
- 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.
In the majority of cases, the color of your teeth will even out over time. This can take anywhere from three to ten days.
How to Prevent Uneven and Patchy Results
While some patchiness cannot be helped, there are some things you can do to maintain the brightness of your smile:
After you get your teeth whitened at a dental clinic in Winnipeg, you should take some extra precautions to prevent staining. Bleaching makes your enamel more porous, so you should avoid dark substances such as red wine and coffee for the first couple of days after your treatment. If you do end up drinking or eating anything that could stain your teeth, try to avoid letting it come into contact with the surface of your teeth. For example, you could drink iced coffee with a straw and rinse your mouth afterward.
If you choose to whiten your teeth at home, then opt for professional whitening trays provided by a dentist. 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.
Ensure that you follow your dentist’s instructions before, during, and after your teeth whitening procedure. Remember that teeth whitening is not a permanent solution for brighter teeth because lifestyle choices and diet can cause your teeth to stain again. If you want to maintain a bright, white smile permanently, then you will need to maintain your teeth with touch-up appointments every six months.
Interested in Teeth Whitening Near You?
If you would like to find out more about teeth whitening and determine if you are a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure, please contact our team of dental professionals at Garden City Dental Center. We are happy to provide you with professional teeth whitening to help you show off a radiant smile and answer any questions or concerns you may have concerning the treatment. Please contact us to book your appointment today!
FAQs
Post-Whitening Dehydration
How do you fix patchy whitening? ›
Use a remineralizing toothpaste or gel
These agents help replenish lost minerals and strengthen the enamel, reducing the appearance of white stains and restoring the health of the teeth.
Why are my teeth patchy white? ›
Technically called white spot lesions; they are a sign of early decay. White spot lesions may be due to fluorosis (overexposure of fluoride to the teeth), enamel hypoplasia (thinner development of the enamel on teeth), demineralization of the enamel on the teeth, low calcium diet, and poor oral hygiene.
Why are my teeth not white enough after whitening? ›
Darkening or relapse of the tooth shade is expected after whitening. Relapse of shade occurs almost immediately as the freshly whitened dehydrated tooth rehydrates. Repetitive prolonged exposure of the chemical is the only way to achieve optimal results.
Why do teeth whitening strips go patchy? ›
White spots might appear after using whitening strips but should fade within a few hours. This is caused by the way whitening agents are applied with the strip. Crest, a major producer of whitening strips, claims this spotting is caused by lost water in your tooth's enamel.
Why are my teeth blotchy after bleaching? ›
White Stains After Whitening Treatments. Noticing white spots on the surface of your teeth after a whitening treatment is caused by hypo-calcification. Teeth whitening does not cause white spots on your teeth; however, tooth whitening treatments can make already present spots more visible.
How can I even out my teeth whitening? ›
Apply a very small amount of gel on each tooth inside your whitening tray, you can use the tip to spread the gel equally on the tray. Make sure you do not put too much gel on your trays, as your trays are designed to fit your teeth perfectly.
How long do white spots on teeth last after whitening? ›
The duration of white spots on teeth after whitening can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cause and individual factors.
How to rehydrate teeth after whitening? ›
Drink Plenty of Water : The most simple and effective way to rehydrate your teeth after whitening is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps replenish the moisture levels in your mouth and promotes saliva production, which aids in washing away acid and bacteria.
How do you fix uneven white teeth? ›
Treatments
- Enamel microabrasion. Some people may be able to have microabrasion done to treat their white spots. ...
- Teeth whitening or bleaching. Whitening or bleaching teeth can help to reduce the appearance of white spots and other stains. ...
- Dental veneer. ...
- Topical fluoride. ...
- Composite resin.
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. Ensure that you follow your dentist's instructions before, during, and after your teeth whitening procedure.
Why are only parts of my teeth whitening? ›
The most common explanation for white spots on teeth is hypocalcification, or the loss of calcium from the tooth enamel. This might happen for several reasons: Exposure to too much fluoride as a young child, when your tooth enamel was still developing.
Why are my teeth not responding to whitening? ›
These teeth may have a denser enamel layer or more pigmented dentin, making them more resistant to whitening treatments. Teeth with a thicker enamel layer tend to respond better to whitening methods because the enamel acts as a barrier, allowing the whitening agents to penetrate more effectively.
Why are my teeth patchy? ›
Eating too many acidic foods can cause white spots on your teeth. This is because highly acidic foods eat away at your tooth enamel. This outer layer protects your teeth from damage. A diet high in sugar also causes the formation of acidic plaque, which can erode enamel.
How long does it take for teeth pores to close after whitening? ›
Once the pores close, which usually happens within 24-48 hours after the procedure, you can resume your normal habits.
Why do my teeth look grey after whitening? ›
Why Did Your Tooth Turn Gray After Whitening It? There are several things to consider: It may be that your tooth was damaged before you applied the whitening gel to it, and it became irritated afterward. The problem might stem from the whitening gel.
How to fix uneven teeth whitening? ›
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. This can correct the unevenness.
Why is one of my teeth not whitening? ›
The natural color of teeth can vary due to various factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle habits. Some individuals naturally have teeth that are darker or have a yellowish tint. These teeth may have a denser enamel layer or more pigmented dentin, making them more resistant to whitening treatments.
Do teeth continue to whiten after treatment? ›
Color Spotting on the teeth may occur after in office Whitening due to temporary dehydration of the teeth. This should diminish within a few days after treatment. The whitening process will continue for 48 hours after treatment.
How long does it take for teeth to rehydrate after whitening? ›
Rehydrating Teeth After Whitening
After your procedure, your teeth will naturally rehydrate themselves in two to seven days. However, there are things you can do to help your teeth during this time. Drink plenty of water – water naturally hydrates every part of your body, including your teeth.
