How to Help Sensitive Teeth After Whitening
Over 35 million people in America use whitening treatments every year. Developing sensitive teeth after whitening is a common side effect that can cause minor discomfort. Luckily, there are many different types of whitening treatments and different ways to help with sensitivity.
This article will outline how whitening teeth works, why it causes sensitivity, and what you can do to fix the discomfort.
Table of Contents
Sensitive Teeth After Whitening: How Whitening Works
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. Other causes can be trauma, aging with the natural thinning of enamel, and certain medications.
- The 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. Your dentist can help match any restorations with the tooth shade you want. Check out our Top Industry Tips for Whitening for additional information.
Why Sensitive Teeth After Whitening Occurs
The whitening gel is absorbed by the tooth’s layers through the tooth’s tubules. This is how the sensitivity reaches the nerves causing discomfort.
Whitening causes the sensitivity due to the following reasons:
- Teeth absorbing the whitening gel will expose the tooth’s tubules, opening the layers and causing sensitivity.
- Whitening gel demineralizes the superficial enamel layer causing sensitivity.
How to Stop Sensitive Teeth After Whitening
Sensitive teeth after whitening is the most common side effect when bleaching your teeth. The discomfort is usually short-term and resolves itself after the whitening gel is removed and absorbed or the treatment period is finished.
So, how to stop sensitive teeth after whitening? Follow these easy tips:
- Switch to a sensitive toothpaste during the whitening treatment period. Try brushing your teeth right before applying the whitening gel.
- Minimize the application of the whitening gel. Try decreasing the time the gel is on the teeth. If applied daily, try doing it every other day.
- 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.
- Try a different whitening treatment. There are so 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.
How Long Does the Sensitivity Last After Whitening?
Every tooth in each smile is unique. Any discomfort is usually short-term and goes away on its own up to a day or two. Sensitivity will start to decrease as soon as the gel is removed and absorbed and will go away after the whitening treatment period is finished.
Answering ‘how long does sensitivity last after whitening?’ can be different from person to person, but generally speaking, the sensitivity will stop when you stop treatments.
Recommendations on How to Stop Sensitive Teeth After Whitening
If you continue to have to ask yourself the question ‘how long does sensitivity last after whitening?’ longer than your treatment period, then chances are you need to call a dentist.
Sensitivity should stop once you stop treating your teeth. If you continue to have sensitive teeth, give your dentist a call and see if they want to set up an appointment for you.
It’s always best practice to keep your dentist up to date with any at home treatments that you’re using, including teeth whitening treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop sensitive teeth from hurting after whitening?
Most discomfort will go away over a course of a day or two. For some, relief happens after a few hours. Avoid hot and cold temperatures and stick to a soft food diet. If pain increases or doesn’t go away, consult your dentist. You may have a cavity that you weren’t aware of before whitening.
Will my teeth go back to yellow after whitening?
Teeth are naturally yellow and grey hues. There are also stains in most foods and beverages. All whitening treatments will not last forever. Professional whitening treatments are more long-lasting for most patients. Consult your dental professionals to find what is best for your smile.
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