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’re committed to giving you a smile that’s more radiant and self-assured. With the help of our professional whitening service, you will see noticeable improvements in the removal of stains and discolouration. You can rely on us to improve your smile securely and effectively due to our skilled team and cutting-edge dental technology. Eliminate your yellowing teeth and welcome a brighter, whiter smile.
Contact us today to schedule your whitening treatment and unlock the full potential of your pearly whites.
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? ›
The white, patchy, streaky, or lined look of teeth after whitening is normal – it's called enamel demineralization. Enamel demineralisation is a process where the minerals in the tooth enamel are lost, resulting in weakened and more susceptible teeth.
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 my teeth yellow even though I whitened them? ›
Also, if you have poor oral health or an underlying medical condition that affects the teeth, the teeth whitening procedure may make the teeth yellow. This is because the dentin has a yellowish hue under the enamel.
Why won't my teeth whiten no matter what? ›
Your Teeth Aren't Clean
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.
Do whitening strips work on really yellow teeth? ›
Whitening strips target both extrinsic and intrinsic stains
Yellowish aging stains also respond well. Whitening strips may be best used when you're trying to make a small touch-up to your tooth color. For more significant changes, you may want to consider professional whitening from a dentist.
What not to do after whitening strips? ›
Avoid consuming staining substances, such as coffee, tea, red wine, or dark-colored sauces, during the treatment period, as they can interfere with the whitening process. Refrain from smoking or using tobacco products, as they can lead to discoloration and counteract the effects of the whitening strips.
Should I brush my teeth after whitening strips? ›
As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.
Can teeth be too stained to whiten? ›
Once your teeth are intrinsically stained, it becomes very difficult to remove the discoloration with over-the-counter or professional teeth whitening treatments. Cosmetic treatments such as veneers or dental bonding are common options for fixing intrinsic stains.
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are commonly used to whiten teeth. These ingredients are generally safe as long as the peroxide doesn't contact the sensitive gum tissue. The issue with Whitestrips is that the whitening gel isn't adequately sealed away from the gum tissue the way a custom whitening tray does.
Should your teeth be wet or dry when applying whitening strips? ›
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 happens if you don t brush your teeth after whitening strips? ›
Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips? The answer is yes – brushing your teeth after using teeth whitening strips is an essential part of the process. Brushing teeth after using teeth whitening strips helps to remove any excess whitening agent and also helps to reduce teeth sensitivity.
Can some yellow teeth not be whitened? ›
These types of stains are known as intrinsic stains, or stains that affect the deeper layers of the tooth (i.e., the dentin). Another common type of intrinsic stains that teeth whitening cannot treat are those caused by trauma to the tooth.
Can yellow teeth ever be white again? ›
Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.
How do you fix super yellow teeth? ›
Remedies for yellow teeth
- Brushing your teeth. Your first plan of action should be to brush your teeth more often and in the correct manner. ...
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ...
- Coconut oil pulling. ...
- Apple cider vinegar. ...
- Lemon, orange, or banana peels. ...
- Activated charcoal. ...
- Eating fruits and vegetables with a higher water content.
The packaging instructions for the particular version of the product being used should be followed. Some improvement may be seen after only 3 days. Final results are visible after 10 to 20 days, depending on the specific Crest whitening-strip product used.
Can teeth whitening fail? ›
Whitening Trays That Don't Cut the Mustard
When gel and saliva mix your whitening can get weaker, look splotchy, and even fail completely! Whitening kits you buy at the store aren't made for your particular mouth – they're one size fits all, and you know what that means: they don't really fit anyone!
How long does it take Crest White Strips to whiten teeth? ›
With crest 3d white 1 hour express white strips, you'll see whiter teeth in just 1 hour.
How long do Crest White Strips take to whiten? ›
Recommended Duration Guidelines
While specifics can vary based on the Crest White Strips product you choose, a general guideline is to leave the strips on for 30 minutes to an hour per session. This timeframe strikes a balance between achieving optimal results and minimizing the risk of increased tooth sensitivity.
