What Are Vertical Lines On Teeth After Whitening?

Have you noticed vertical lines after you are done with a round of teeth whitening? This is something you do not expect nor desire, and that is why many people fear going for a teeth whitening treatment. 

Teeth whitening is a popular process that lets you get your bright smile restored without the unsightly spots and stains. While you do have DIY options for whitening your teeth, but an in-office treatment can give you faster results that also last longer.

In this article, you will understand why these white lines appear and what you should do about them.

Teeth Whitening Process

Your teeth get stained over the years by eating and drinking all sorts of foods and beverages. You can improve the colour of your teeth by a few shades by making a couple of visits to your dentist for the teeth whitening process.

It works by applying hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth. The compound is activated by light, which helps penetration of hydrogen peroxide into the teeth, breaking the stains. 

Why The White Lines Appear After The Treatment?

It is very common to get white lines on your teeth after a whitening process. Some of the primary reasons for the lines are:

• Tooth enamel has thinned – The outer covering or enamel of your teeth can get thin due to various reasons like lack of brushing leading to bacteria eroding the enamel, excessive pressure applied while biting hard objects, grinding teeth, biting nails, etc. These lines appear stronger after a whitening process, making evident which part of the enamel is thinner.
• Hypocalcification – It occurs just before cavities start appearing. The main reason for this is improper oral hygiene. If food is leftover in your mouth, it produces bacteria that weakens your teeth by the process of demineralization. These white or craze lines appear stronger after the whitening process. Hypocalcification can be avoided by cutting down on sugary food.
• Dehydration – Hydrogen peroxide is a dehydrating agent that can leave white lines on your teeth. This is a temporary problem and poses no harm to your teeth.

How to Treat These White Lines

If lines are caused due to dehydration, then there is nothing to worry about as they will blend with the new shade of your teeth in time. But if the line persists, then there is an underlying issue that needs to be treated by your dentist. White lines increase the risk of decolourization and teeth staining, so you must deal with it soon. 

If the white lines have appeared after teeth whitening and do not seem to go with time, the reasons could be demineralization or thinning of teeth enamel. Both of these are dangerous situations as they increase the risk of developing cavities since the protective layer of your teeth has diminished.

To avoid such situations, you must keep up with your oral hygiene and avoid putting undue pressure on your teeth by activities like opening a soda bottle. Other causes for vertical lines after teeth whitening are the use of tobacco or smoking.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!