You’ve just finished a teeth whitening near you with those promising whitening strips you bought from the pharmacy, expecting a brilliant, white smile. However, as you look at your teeth in the mirror, you unexpectedly realize that they now appear more yellow than before. It’s essential to comprehend the potential causes of this before you start to freak out or second-guess the choice you made. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this counterintuitive outcome.
What are Whitening Strips?
A typical over-the-counter dentistry product known as whitening strips is intended to assist in improving the appearance of teeth by lighting their colour. The material used to make these strips is often thin and flexible and is coated in a tooth-whitening gel containing a bleaching chemical, commonly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
How They Work
The way that whitening strips function is by carefully applying a bleaching substance to the surface of the teeth. By dissolving and releasing oxygen molecules, the peroxide in the gel effectively removes stains and discolouration by penetrating the enamel and dentin of the teeth.
Effectiveness
- Depending on the individuals, strips for teeth whitening in Newmarket may or may not be effective. Deep-seated stains can be removed less successfully than surface stains.
- The level of whitening obtained depends on the bleaching agent’s concentration in the gel and how often you use the strips.
- Results can last for several months, but over time, factors like diet and oral hygiene may cause teeth to regain some of their original color gradually.
Reasons Why Teeth Appear Yellowish After Using Whitening Strips
Initial Sensitivity and Redness
Your teeth may appear yellower after using whitening strips for several reasons, one of which is the initial discomfort and redness they may create. In order to eliminate stains from the enamel, whitening strips often contain peroxide-based whitening chemicals. They may irritate the gums during this process, resulting in momentary redness and inflammation. This redness can create a visual contrast that makes your teeth look more yellow in comparison.
Tip: After using whitening strips, give your gums some time to heal. During this time, stay away from foods and beverages like coffee and red wine that can discolour your teeth.
Dehydration of the Teeth
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.
Tip: Drink water before, during, and after using whitening strips to stay hydrated. Your teeth’ temporary dehydration can be avoided in this way.
Uneven Whitening
Uneven whitening can be another factor contributing to the yellowish look. The consistency with which whitening strips cover your teeth could cause differences in the shade of your smile. Some patches may stand out as yellower in comparison to the brighter parts if they undergo less whitening treatment.
Tip: To reduce the possibility of uneven whitening, make sure you apply the whitening strips evenly to your teeth and carefully follow the directions.
Stain Removal and Tooth Sensitivity
While whitening strips are effective in removing surface stains, intrinsic stains—those that are embedded in the tooth’s structure—may not be completely removed. Intrinsic stains can often be more challenging to remove and may need professional assistance from a dentist in Newmarket. Your teeth may appear more yellow due to the contrast between the deeper intrinsic stains and the whiter surface.
Tip: To learn the cause of intrinsic stains and discuss possible treatments, consult with a dentist.
Colour Perception
Our sense of colour can have a significant impact on how white we think our teeth are. Your teeth could not actually be more yellow; instead, the way they look could be caused by alterations in lighting, the environment, or the colour of your teeth.
Tip: For a more accurate evaluation of your outcomes, take pictures of your teeth in constant lighting both before and after using whitening strips.
Safety Considerations
- When used as instructed, whitening strips are usually considered safe. However, some people might have gum irritation or tooth sensitivity. It is advised to cease using it and see a dentist near you if these problems arise.
- It’s essential to follow the instructions on whitening strips strictly and to stick to the recommended usage duration. Overusing them might cause dental discomfort or damage to the enamel.
Enhance Your Smile with Professional Whitening Treatment
At Keep 28 Dental Centre, we take pride in being your reliable dental care partner, with over 35 years of dedicated service. Our uncompromising dedication to quality ensures you receive optimal care personalized to your dental needs. Our experts offer safe and effective teeth-whitening treatments to help you achieve the smile you always wanted.
Give us a call or click “Schedule an Appointment” below to book your teeth whitening treatment and make your smile shine bright!
FAQs
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 are my teeth still not white after whitening strips? ›
Intrinsic stains stay in the inner layer of the tooth. They can also come from medications, dental injury, or excessive fluoride. These stains can leave your teeth with a grayish color. These difficult stains do not respond at all to teeth whitening strips, even if you leave them on longer.
Why are my teeth more stained after whitening? ›
[6] There may be a loss of organic components from bleached enamel and dentin surfaces. Changes in the microstructure of teeth may be partly due to the loss or denaturing of protein,[7] and these alterations may facilitate the recurrence of extrinsic staining.
Are some teeth still yellow after whitening? ›
Due to intrinsic stains, teeth may still appear yellow after Zoom whitening. Intrinsic stains develop inside the tooth and are often caused by trauma, certain medications, or excessive fluoride exposure. While Zoom whitening can help improve the appearance of intrinsic stains, it may not be able to eliminate them.
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.
Why are whitening strips making my teeth more yellow? ›
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 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 my teeth look patchy after whitening strips? ›
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 is my teeth whitening making my teeth worse? ›
Gum irritation – the peroxide in the whitening strips can irritate your gums. This usually happens when you misuse the strips or wear them too long. But it might last for a few days. Tooth damage – In some cases, the peroxide may destroy some parts of your teeth, causing erosion and demineralization.
Can stained teeth ever be white again? ›
Stains that occur on the outside of the teeth, along the enamel, are considered extrinsic stains. These stains affect the outermost layer of a tooth and can often be corrected with whitening techniques. Inadequate brushing, drinking a lot of tea or coffee or smoking are all typical sources of teeth staining.
Enamel erosion is a common cause of yellowish teeth — and often requires a different type of treatment than simple stains would. Before you rush to whiten, take a look at the do's and don'ts of enamel wear care.
Why won't my yellow teeth whiten? ›
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.
How many days does it take for yellow teeth to turn white? ›
The UV light is said to activate the peroxide and expedite the whitening process. If you use this every day, you can see results within 10-14 days. Whitening toothpaste contains enzymes that eliminate stains while brushing your teeth. If you do this twice a day, results can range anywhere from two to six weeks.
Why are my teeth not responding to whitening? ›
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.
Why won't my teeth whiten no matter what? ›
You may not see it, but your teeth may have a dirty biofilm or layer of plaque buildup that is preventing the whitening agents from targeting your tooth stains. Consider teeth whitening after your next routine dental cleaning.
Why no results after teeth whitening? ›
Intrinsic Stains
Since teeth whitening treatments primarily target the outer layer of the teeth, they may have limited effectiveness in removing these deeper stains. In such cases, alternative cosmetic dentistry options like dental bonding or veneers may be recommended to improve the appearance of the teeth.
How long does it take for whitening strips to whiten your teeth? ›
Typically, you use whitening strips twice per day for 2 weeks . You usually leave them on for about 30 minutes at a time. Tooth lightening can be seen in as little as several days and can lighten your teeth by a shade or two.
