Why Do My Teeth Look Spotty After Whitening?
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I used whitening strips before an upcoming event, but now parts of my teeth look much whiter than others. A few areas are almost chalky white. Did I damage my enamel? Should I use another strip to even everything out? This event is coming up soon and I don’t want to look ridiculous.
Emma
Dear Emma,
First, don’t panic. I know uneven results, which create a spotty appearance on you teeth, can send you into a tailspin, especially when you have an important event coming up. The good news is that white spots or streaks immediately after whitening can be dealt with.
There are several possible reasons for the uneven color, and applying more whitener right away could make the contrast—and any sensitivity—worse, instead of giving you the help you need.
Teeth Whitening Can Temporarily Dehydrate Your Teeth
Teeth naturally contain moisture. Whitening products can temporarily dehydrate the enamel, causing it to reflect light differently. Some areas may look unusually bright, opaque, or chalky until the teeth rehydrate.
This effect does not necessarily mean the whitening product damaged your enamel. In many cases, the color begins to look more even within a few days. Philips, the manufacturer of Zoom whitening, advises that uneven whitening caused by temporary dehydration can take approximately two to seven days to settle.
For now, stop whitening and allow your teeth to rehydrate naturally. Drink water as usual, continue brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, and resist the temptation to apply additional whitening gel to the darker areas.
Whitening May Reveal Spots That Were Already There
Sometimes whitening does not create white spots but makes existing variations in the enamel easier to see.
Here are a few reasons white spots can develop:
- Enamel that formed differently during childhood, especially due to medications.
- Excessive fluoride exposure while the permanent teeth were developing. Please note fluoride is important and the amount you get in your drinking water and at the dentist is necessary and not harmful. It would take an excessive amount to do damage.
- Mineral loss caused by plaque and acids. We call this demineralization and it is a precursor to decay.
- Previous orthodontic treatment, especially where plaque accumulated around brackets.
These areas may have been difficult to notice when the rest of the tooth was darker. Once whitening lightens the surrounding enamel, the contrast can temporarily make them stand out.
If the spots remain noticeable after your tooth color has had a week to stabilize, schedule a dental examination. A dentist can determine whether they are harmless developmental variations or signs of demineralization that require treatment. But don’t worry, even developmental variations can be fixed.
Uneven Application
One of the reasons good dentists insist on a cleaning before doing a tooth whitening procedure on patients, is to make sure the enamel surface is a clean as possible. Otherwise build up can block the whitening gel from having even application and effectiveness.
Additionally, over-the-counter strips and one-size-fits-all trays do not always maintain consistent contact with every tooth. A strip may lift away from a rotated or recessed tooth, while saliva can dilute gel in another area. Whitening gel that leaks onto the gums can also cause temporary irritation. I know of one patient who actually developed a root canal treatment from their store bought whitening kit. This is rare because the gels and strip you can purchase from a store are not nearly as strong was what you dentist can give you (which makes the whitening take much longer), but she had an underlying exposed part that she was unaware of which put her at greater risk.
Custom whitening trays from your dentist are custom-fit to your teeth, helping to distribute the prescribed gel more consistently. They also make it easier to perform controlled touch-ups rather than starting over with a new store-bought kit whenever stains return. And because the gel is contained in the trays it protects your gums.
Some Parts of a Smile Cannot Be Whitened
Dental restorations, such as porcelain crowns, veneers, composite fillings, or dental bonding will not whiten along with your natural teeth. Your teeth will get whiter, but the restorations will stay the same color.
For example, if you have bonding on a front tooth, the natural enamel around it may become lighter while the bonding remains its original shade. Continuing to bleach your teeth will not whiten the restoration. Instead, it may create an even more noticeable mismatch.
A cosmetic dentist can evaluate your smile before treatment and explain how existing dental work will affect your results. An older restoration can be replaced after your whitening color has stabilized so that it matches the new white shade.
My recommendation is to see your dentist to find out the reason behind the unevenness. Then, he or she can provide you with the best solution for your situation.
Some dentists only offer one type of whitening. Because you’re in a hurry with an event coming up, I recommend seeing a dentist who offers both take-home and Zoom in-office whitening.
If you have time, give the color several days to stabilize, but contact a dentist sooner if you experience any of the following:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Gum irritation or chemical burns
- A rough or damaged area of enamel
- A white spot that appears to be growing
- Sensitivity that does not gradually improve
Don’t attempt another round of whitening before seeing your dentist. Cavities, gum recession, cracks, and leaking fillings can allow whitening gel to reach sensitive areas and cause significant problems for you.
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