What Causes the Bright White Spots on Teeth

When teeth are whitened, you can have white spots appear from dehydration of the teeth during the process.  The whitening did not cause the white spots.  They were there before but not as visible.  With some whitening processes, the whole spots can get better by continuing the whitening process until it blends in more.  There is also a great in office process to remove the spots that do not blend.  It is called Icon.

The white spots on your teeth were likely present before starting the Zoom treatment. Before you start any whitening treatment, you should be evaluated to determine if you are a good candidate. By that, I mean that if you have any white spots, other enamel defects, any restorative work like crowns, fillings, or veneers, you may not be a good candidate. White spots on the teeth typically are a result of hypocalcified areas of enamel that occurred while the tooth was formed. These should be addressed prior to any whitening treatment, as they can become more noticeable after any whitening done.
One way that we address these spots is by a treatment called "MI Paste." MI paste can be used at home and in the dental office (with application of acid etch material) to help remineralize these areas and make them less noticeable. One added benefit of MI paste treatment prior to whitening is that it can greatly reduce sensitivity that occurs as a result of whitening. 
If you have these white spots after whitening that have now become more noticable, don't worry, they will eventually rehydrate and over time will return back to their original state (similar to what was present before the whitening).

These White spots were there prior to your whitening treatment, this is called decalcification of the enamel. The good news is the spots should be temporary. These spots should subside after a week or so. IF these spots are very bothersome you can contact the dentist to see what could possible be done. 

Craig, thank you for the great question. Some good news and some not so much.Those white spots on your upper teeth were there BEFORE the whitening, but were not noticeable as much. They are caused by decalcification of the enamel. We see them more often in men, especially after braces. The good news, after a couple of weeks they will subside. If it still bothers you, there are several techniques available, which will minimize or totally eliminate them.

The whitening process dehydrates the teeth making the hypo calcified areas already present on your teeth stand out as visible white spots. This gets better soon as the teeth begin to rehydrate after the procedure but does not completely go away. 
These spots are usually already present in your teeth and are not caused by the whitening process.

Excellent question. In my office, before undergoing any whitening treatment, I explain to my patients that white spots will likely appear, however within days, even hours, they will begin to blend in. Your initial feelings of disappointment are completely understandable,
since the goal of whitening is not only to whiten your smile, but to
achieve a consistent shade across the surface of the tooth. The tooth structure is composed of different minerals which respond differently to the whitening process. Depending on the surface consistency (primarily calcium content), bright white spots or streaks will appear on the whitened surface. Drink lots of water, as the whitening process temporarily dehydrates your teeth. Your saliva will accomplish this as well. As they begin to re-hydrate, you will immediately see the results you were expecting and hoping for - a brighter, whiter, (spot free) smile, that you will love to flash around town.Best of luck,James Asaf, DDS

The white spots we sometimes call "headlights " are areas of de mineralized enamel. If white spots are very noticeable TO THE PATIENT, before they bleach, patients usually ASK ME about HOW THEY WILL BLEACH.  If they are very small, and BARELY NOTICEABLE  AND patient is not aware of them, I ALWAYS POINT THOSE AREAS OUT TO THE PATIENT because they are something that we as dentists are able to see.  Prior to bleaching, I make them look in a mirror, and point out that these areas may show up "whiter " than the rest of the tooth right after bleaching.Good news, rarely do they stay that way, and in a few days they will fade and be barely noticeable. Larger headlights can be white or brownish in color. Those are more noticeable to begin with, and will NOT BLEACH AWAY.  If they detract from otherwise nice teeth, we have ways to treat them.  Did you have braces? The white spots sometimes can be from where the brackets were attached, or if higher up near the gum line, from not brushing as well as you could have! Now see why the orthodontist was all over you??There is a newer treatment that I have used on a bride-to-be for small white spots on her teeth.  Worked fairly well, and takes 1 visit.

Whitening does not cause the white spots but they do become more apparent. Once the stain is exfoliated from the teeth the white spots which already existed become more prominent.  Since the tooth is dehydrated immediately after the procedure, the white spots are even more prominent.  As the tooth rehydrate over the next few days the white spots calm down and have a much better appear appearance.

Regards,

Peter Mann DDS
 

Prior to bleaching a patients teeth, they are closely examined for areas of enamel thinning, chemical erosion and hypo-calcification or chalky white spots. (The chalky white spots are caused by poor calcification of the enamel while the tooth is being formed.) Patients are advised and made aware of how these white spots will become more obvious during the early stages of bleaching. They become more obvious because the bleaching effects these areas first. Knowing this will occur, when patients proceed with bleaching , they are initially Zoomed and then in conjunction, use the take home trays for two weeks allowing the body of the tooth without the chalky spots to whiten, creating a good result.

The white spots on your teeth weren't caused by the whitening process.  In fact, they were there before your teeth were whitened, but were not as noticeable.  They are areas of hypo-calcified enamel, which unfortunately, won't disappear even after your teeth rehydrate.  

To eliminate these white spots completely involves a very specific process of remineralizing enamel.  The literature on this treatment is fairly new, but I have had great success in my own practice with this technique.  It involves treating your tooth surface with micro air-abrasion or etchant, and subsequent application of amorphous calcium phosphate every day for a period of 2 weeks.  After this initial 2 week period, you may see slight improvement or complete reversal of the white spot.  At this point in time, another treatment of micro air-abrasion or etchant may be necessary, followed by daily application of amorphous calcium phosphate.  You will likely see complete reversal of the white spots after this second round. 

If your dentist is not familiar with this technique and if it is something you are interested in, I'd be happy to speak with him/her about the specific details of the technique and/or refer him/her to the literature.  Good luck!