Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening is a very common practice used to brighten a smile. In fact, over 35 million people in America use whitening treatments every year. Does teeth whitening hurt? There are many different teeth whitening treatments on the market that can help you.
In this article, we’ll answer ‘is teeth whitening painful’ and explain how to support your teeth so you can safely whiten your smile.
Table of Contents
Is Teeth Whitening Painful?
The teeth whitening treatments come in two different categories, professional in-office treatments or at-home whitening kits. Is teeth whitening painful? Most people are able to brighten their smile and find a teeth whitening system that works best for their smile.
Understanding how teeth whitening works can help answer your question ‘does teeth whitening hurt’ and help you find a comfortable whitening treatment.
Teeth Whitening Process
Your natural tooth structure can range from yellow to grey hues. Yellow coloring accepts whitening easily and works with most whitening systems. Grey coloring is more challenging to whiten and usually requires professional help.
Discoloration Sources
The most common cause of discoloration is staining from food and beverages. Lifestyle habits like smoking can also lead to yellow teeth. Other causes can be trauma, aging with the natural thinning of enamel, and certain medications.
The Whitening Process
Teeth are porous like sponges, the whitening agents open up the tubules to get the intrinsic stain out (the inside coloring of the tooth). The active ingredient in whitening treatments reacts with stains and breakdown the bond. During this process minimize any staining food and beverages.
Tooth whitening treatment will only work on natural tooth structures. They will not work on fillings or restorations. For more information on this topic, check out our article Does Teeth Whitening Work on Fillings?
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Most people do not have to worry about answering the question ‘is teeth whitening painful’ and are able to achieve a bright, white smile. Does teeth whitening hurt? Teeth whitening treatments may cause some temporary sensitivity that will fade over time.
The slight sensitivity to the teeth occurs due to the way the teeth absorb the whitening agent.
Why You May Feel Sensitivity
The whitening gel is absorbed by the layers of the tooth through the tooth’s tubules. This is how the sensitivity reaches the nerves causing discomfort.
Whitening causes minor sensitivity due to the following reasons:
- Teeth absorbing the whitening gel will expose the tooth’s tubules, opening the layers and causing slight sensitivity.
- Whitening gel demineralizes the superficial enamel layer causing sensitivity.
Is Teeth Whitening Painful
Does teeth whitening hurt? You may feel some slight sensitivity to your teeth because of how the teeth absorb the whitening agent. This is completely normal and will fade over time. There are a few ways you can help sensitive teeth after whitening and avoid any discomfort.
Is teeth whitening painful? To avoid any pain, you may not want to whiten your teeth if you have any of the dental problems below.
- Cavities or at a high cavities risk
- Weak enamel
- High sugar and acid diet
- Gum recession in multiple areas of the mouth
- Poor oral hygiene
Helping Sensitive Teeth After Whitening
Does teeth whitening hurt? Any discomfort is usually short-term and resolves itself after the whitening gel is removed and absorbed or the treatment period is finished.
Follow these easy tips below to help any sensitive teeth after whitening.
- Switch to a sensitive toothpaste during the whitening treatment period. Try brushing your teeth right before applying the whitening gel.
- Decrease the time the gel is on the teeth and alternate days.
- Avoid hot and cold temperatures of foods and beverages during the whitening treatment.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication as instructed by the label. Consult your dentist or medical doctor before use.
- Try a different whitening treatment. There are many different whitening kits, professional and store-bought, that benefit everyone differently.
- To learn more about the different whitening treatments, check out Effective Tooth Whitening Treatment.
Additional information on dental sensitivity can be found in our How to Help Sensitive Teeth After Whitening article.
How to Safely Whitening Your Teeth
To answer the question ‘does teeth whitening hurt’, it all depends on your individual smile. Using whitening treatments incorrectly or too frequently can damage the enamel. Damaged enamel can increase your cavity risk and lead to dental sensitivity.
To safely whiten your teeth, follow our recommendations below.
- Always use a trusted brand and check to see if the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval is on the package.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.
- See your dentist at least every 6 months to ensure you don’t have any underlying problems.
- Have a well-established oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing 2 times a day and flossing daily. Use a remineralizing toothpaste to help strengthen the enamel.
- For help improving your oral hygiene, check out our Healthy Smile Guide.
- Do not over-use whitening products. Check out our Tips for Whitening Teeth article to get the most out of your teeth whitening treatments.
- Consult your dentist and dental hygienist before starting a teeth whitening treatment. They will be able to guide you on what works best for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do your teeth hurt after whitening?
Is teeth whitening painful? There may be some minor discomfort that will go away after a few days of finishing your teeth whitening treatment. If the pain increases or becomes unbearable, stop using it and see your dentist. There may be an underlying issue you are not aware of.
Is it worth getting my teeth whitened?
Teeth whitening is a great way to brighten your smile. White teeth are not necessarily a sign of a healthy smile. Teeth are naturally yellow and grey hues. In order to have white teeth, you may have to maintain the color by continual treatment periodically. Consult your dentist to find out if your teeth need to be whitened and if it’s worth your time and effort.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
