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 more yellow after using whitening strips? ›
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. So, when the enamel thins, your teeth become translucent and may look yellow.
Why do my teeth look darker after whitening? ›
If teeth are overexposed to the hydrogen peroxide agent in whitening gel, the outer layers of enamel may begin to wear away, exposing the dentin and soft inner tissues. This results in lasting sensitivity and discoloration, as dentin is a naturally darker color than enamel.
Do teeth stain faster after whitening? ›
During the teeth whitening procedure, your tooth enamel is slightly weakened due to the bleach. Beverages and food with high acidic content, such as citrus fruit, pickled food, and processed meats, can further weaken your enamel. This can lead to even more sensitivity and increased risk of re-staining.
Why are my teeth so transparent after whitening strips? ›
Therefore, if the enamel wears away, this makes the edges are translucent. Few people believe that when you put teeth whitening strips or trays in your mouth for a long time than required, it can lead to the erosion of your tooth enamel, and hence, your teeth appear translucent.
How many days does it take to whiten teeth with strips? ›
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.
Do whitening strips work better on dirty teeth? ›
Brushing Before Applying Whitestrips
A widely endorsed practice when using Whitestrips is to brush your teeth beforehand. The rationale behind this method is straightforward: a clean dental surface promotes better adherence to the Whitestrips and enhances the efficacy of the whitening gel.
Why do my teeth not look white 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.
Do teeth get whiter days after whitening? ›
Your teeth will continue to lighten for a couple of days even after you stop a whitening session.
Can dark yellow teeth become white again? ›
Whitening Yellow Teeth
Discolourations are generally responsive to bleaching procedures, and dentists can advise on how to whiten yellow teeth, depending on your case. Your dentist can provide bleaching kits to take home and use over a period of time, as well as in-office bleaching procedures.
After teeth whitening strips, the teeth are more prone to stains since the pores in the teeth stay open for a couple more hours after you use the strips.
What not to do after using whitening strips? ›
After applying the white strips, ensure that you avoid certain foods and beverages for a certain period of time. Coffee, wine, and other flavored/colored beverages should be avoided for at least a couple of hours after applying.
Should you brush your 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.
Why do my teeth look more yellow after whitening strips? ›
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.
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.
Can yellow teeth really be whitened? ›
Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.
Does leaving whitening strips on longer make teeth whiter? ›
It's tempting to think that leaving them on longer will yield a more dazzling smile, but this isn't necessarily the case. Overextending the application time can lead to increased tooth sensitivity without delivering significant additional benefits.
Why are my teeth whitening unevenly? ›
Often, the edges of a tooth respond to bleaching quicker than internal areas, since the bleach penetrates the enamel faster. The center of a tooth has a thicker layer of enamel than the edges, so internal tooth bleaching can take longer to show results.
