Categories: Teeth Whitening

Can Teeth Be Sensitive After Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to remove stubborn stains and improve the appearance of your smile. However, it can cause a temporary side effect called dentinal hypersensitivity. This can cause your teeth to react with discomfort to foods that are acidic, sweet, or sour or to temperatures of hot and cold.

Dentinal hypersensitivity from whitening is usually temporary and resolves after a few days. In the meantime, there are things you can do to help keep it under control.

What causes sensitivity after teeth whitening?

Each tooth contains microscopic channels that start at the surface of the enamel and extend down to the nerves at the center of the tooth. These channels are called dentinal tubules. The reason that teeth whitening agents work so well is because they can penetrate deep down into the enamel. As a result, they sometimes get into the dentinal tubules and irritate the nerves within the tooth.

This is the most common cause of sensitivity from teeth whitening. It can also occur because of irritation of your gums when the bleaching gels come in contact with them. If your dentist uses whitening trays that you bite down into, teeth may become sensitive due to the pressure exerted on them during the whitening process.

What can you do about sensitivity from teeth whitening?

There are things that you can do before the treatment to help reduce sensitivity. If you still experience symptoms following the treatment, there are things you can do to lessen those symptoms. 

What to do before treatment

Starting a week to 10 days prior to your appointment, you can brush your teeth with a desensitizing toothpaste. This has ingredients that help to block pain signals at the surface of the tooth from reaching the nerves at the center. It may also cover up the tubules, blocking the bleaching agents from reaching the nerves. 

Just prior to treatment, you can apply a desensitizing gel to your teeth. Follow the directions provided on the package for applying the gel and then rinsing it off with water. 

What to do after treatment

You can continue to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth for brushing after your whitening treatment. Be sure to use a soft-bristle brush to avoid any damage to the enamel. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to build up tooth enamel, so use dental hygiene products that include it to help to build your teeth back up more quickly after whitening. Use lukewarm water rather than cold to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.

For the first few days after teeth whitening, choose foods and drinks that you can enjoy at room temperature and avoid any foods that are too sugary or acidic. If this is not possible, you can prevent potentially irritating beverages from reaching your teeth by sipping them through a straw. 

Conclusion

It is normal to experience some sensitivity following teeth whitening. This is temporary and usually goes away within a few days. You can try desensitizing toothpaste prior to treatment to try to prevent the sensitivity, and there are several steps you can take after the treatment to reduce the symptoms until they resolve completely. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.hudsonerdental.com or call Hudson Emergency Dental and Implant Center at (201) 620-9574 for an appointment in our Bayonne office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in Bayonne, NJ.

Related Posts

The Most Common Types Of Gum Disease

If you notice that your gums are bright red, swollen-looking, or bleed when you brush or floss, then you may have gum disease. This disease, also known as periodontal disease, is unfortunately quite common though, so you are not alone. It happens most often due to a build-up of bacteria on and around teeth thanks…

How Dental Bonding Can Minimize Gaps Between Teeth

If you have gapped teeth, dental bonding can be an option to restore your smile. It is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses composite resin materials to transform the teeth’s appearance. Dental bonding can correct not only small spaces between teeth but also other flaws like discoloration and minor tooth decay, cracks, or chips. It…

Tips For Comfort And Secure Attachment For New Dentures

Dentures help some people regain their smiles without surgery. Breaking them in is important. It is the period of making your prosthesis a part of your life. Learning how to wear your dental prosthesis is important. If you want to find out how to maintain a secure and comfortable attachment for your dentures, here are…

General Dentist Tips For Tooth Pain

A general dentist can help you to get past any toothache. Toothaches tend to occur as the worst possible times and they are usually an indicator there is something wrong with that specific tooth.Toothaches are often the result of a tooth being damaged by decay or trauma. It can also be a symptom of an…

Hudson ER Dental

Share
Published by
Hudson ER Dental

Recent Posts

The Most Common Types of Gum Disease

Gum disease is not something to mess around with.

3 weeks ago

How Dental Bonding Can Minimize Gaps Between Teeth

If you have gapped teeth, dental bonding can be an option to restore your smile.

2 months ago

Tips for Comfort and Secure Attachment for New Dentures

Dentures help some people regain their smiles without surgery.

3 months ago

General Dentist Tips for Tooth Pain

Toothaches are often the result of a tooth being damaged by decay or trauma.

4 months ago

What Are the Advantages of Getting Dental Implants

If one of your neighboring natural teeth needs attention, it does not affect your implant.

5 months ago

Why You Need to Have an Emergency Dentist

Having an emergency dentist can ensure a person receives urgent medical care.

6 months ago