Uneven Color after Teeth Bleaching

Question:

My daughter just had her braces removed and she had some uneven color on her two front teeth that our dentist said was from fluoride in vitamins she took as a child - he said the way to even the "cloudy" color was to bleach her teeth which he did in his office with Zoom whitening teeth bleaching - a day after the teeth bleaching the bright white color is blotchy on all her teeth and the problem area on the two front teeth is not significantly improved - the dentist says wait a few days after the teeth bleaching and the color will even out - I am skeptical but trying to trust him since he has been our dentist for many years and has always done excellent work - is this uneven looking color normal immediately after teeth bleaching and should it even out after a few days? Also, should the teeth bleaching significantly improve the original problem of the "cloudy" appearance?

—Barbara in New Jersey

Barbara,

I hear many stories similar to yours. You have a wonderful, trustworthy, skilled dentist, and I'm sure he's all of those things. But he's not a cosmetic dentist.

He's right on one point about the teeth bleaching but not the other. Yes, the unevenness in the color will fade once you discontinue the teeth bleaching. No, teeth bleaching is not the answer for teeth with uneven color--it will typically make it worse.

My advice is to stick with your dentist. If you have a trusting relationship, that's hard to replace. But if you want the cloudy spots on your daughter's front teeth treated, for that you should consult a real cosmetic dentist, then go back to your long-time family dentist for your basic dental work.

Dr. David Hall

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