If you have ever used whitening strips or any other type of whitening product, you may have noticed that your teeth feel a bit more sensitive afterward. This is perfectly normal and usually only lasts for a short period of time. However, if you are experiencing sensitive teeth after whitening, there are a few things you can do to help.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why you may be experiencing sensitive teeth after teeth whitening. We will also provide some tips on how to relieve sensitive teeth after whitening and how to prevent sensitive teeth before whitening.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a very popular procedure that is used to lighten the color of teeth. Teeth whitening can be achieved through at-home products such as teeth whitening strips, whitening kinds of toothpaste, and gels, as well as professional bleaching at the dentist's office. People opt for teeth whitening to achieve a brighter and more attractive smile. Teeth whitening works by using an oxidizing agent, such as carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, to remove surface stains. These agents break down into molecules that are small enough to penetrate the enamel of the teeth, allowing them to dissolve the chromogens in the tooth, thus brightening and lightening the shade of the teeth.
The process of teeth whitening
The process of teeth whitening involves the application of whitening products containing chemicals to the teeth. This is done by either an in-office procedure or an at-home procedure. In-office procedures use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and are more effective in a shorter amount of time.
However, this type of procedure is more expensive and involves more risks. At-home procedures use lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and are cheaper and less risky. A lower concentration also provides longer-lasting results, as whitening agents can be reapplied over time.
Reasons for teeth sensitivity after whitening
Teeth sensitivity after whitening is a very common side effect of the whitening procedure. This is due to the fact that whitening agents can cause the already delicate tooth enamel to become even more porous, which can lead to increased sensitivity.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why you may be experiencing sensitive teeth after teeth whitening. We will also provide some tips on how to relieve sensitive teeth after whitening and how to prevent sensitive teeth before whitening.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a very popular procedure that is used to lighten the color of teeth. Teeth whitening can be achieved through at-home products such as teeth whitening strips, whitening kinds of toothpaste, and gels, as well as professional bleaching at the dentist's office. People opt for teeth whitening to achieve a brighter and more attractive smile. Teeth whitening works by using an oxidizing agent, such as carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, to remove surface stains. These agents break down into molecules that are small enough to penetrate the enamel of the teeth, allowing them to dissolve the chromogens in the tooth, thus brightening and lightening the shade of the teeth.
The process of teeth whitening
The process of teeth whitening involves the application of whitening products containing chemicals to the teeth. This is done by either an in-office procedure or an at-home procedure. In-office procedures use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and are more effective in a shorter amount of time.
Reasons for teeth sensitivity after whitening
Teeth sensitivity after whitening is a very common side effect of the whitening procedure. This is due to the fact that whitening agents can cause the already delicate tooth enamel to become even more porous, which can lead to increased sensitivity.
The increased sensitivity is usually caused by the alteration of the nerve endings in the tooth’s dentin, as the whitening process removes the protective coating of enamel and allows the nerve endings to become exposed. Due to this, hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks can cause a painful sensation.
Another common cause of teeth sensitivity after whitening is dehydration. The whitening process inherently dehydrates the teeth, making the teeth more brittle and sensitive to cold and hot foods. Dehydration can also increase the risk of teeth damage, such as chips and cracks.
How To Prevent Teeth Sensitivity
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent teeth sensitivity after whitening:
The first and most important step is to consult with your dentist before you start the whitening process. Your dentist might advise you to use desensitizing products or to take a break from the whitening process for a couple of days.
You should also use a gentle toothbrush and a low abrasion toothpaste to help reduce any damage to the enamel. Additionally, you should avoid acidic foods and drinks, as well as tobacco and alcohol, as these can damage your teeth.
Using a good quality strip for sensitive teeth is also important. If you are interested in whitening your teeth without causing tooth sensitivity, the best thing you can do is to use a good quality whitening strip that is made especially for sensitive teeth.
Make sure that you do not apply the strip for more than 30 minutes. When you choose to whiten your teeth using a whitening strip, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are using the product correctly. Do not apply the strip for more than 30 minutes, as this could cause tooth sensitivity. If you feel sensitivity while using the whitening strip, stop using the strip and rinse your teeth with warm water. Also, ensure that you are not brushing your teeth too hard or too much.
When to see a dentist
If you're experiencing severe pain after whitening, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of the sensitivity and provide appropriate treatment. They may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste, a mouthguard, or a whitening gel with a lower concentration of whitening agents. In some cases, it may be best to stop whitening or to use at-home treatments such as whitening strips or whitening toothpaste. These products usually contain lower concentrations of whitening agents, so they are less damaging to the enamel.
Final Thoughts
Sensitive teeth after whitening is a common side effect of the whitening process and can be due to dehydration of the teeth, removal of the protective enamel, or nerve damage. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent feeling sensitive teeth after whitening, such as consulting with your dentist beforehand and using a gentle toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste. If you are experiencing severe pain after whitening, you should visit your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
You should also use a gentle toothbrush and a low abrasion toothpaste to help reduce any damage to the enamel. Additionally, you should avoid acidic foods and drinks, as well as tobacco and alcohol, as these can damage your teeth.
Using a good quality strip for sensitive teeth is also important. If you are interested in whitening your teeth without causing tooth sensitivity, the best thing you can do is to use a good quality whitening strip that is made especially for sensitive teeth.
Make sure that you do not apply the strip for more than 30 minutes. When you choose to whiten your teeth using a whitening strip, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are using the product correctly. Do not apply the strip for more than 30 minutes, as this could cause tooth sensitivity. If you feel sensitivity while using the whitening strip, stop using the strip and rinse your teeth with warm water. Also, ensure that you are not brushing your teeth too hard or too much.
When to see a dentist
If you're experiencing severe pain after whitening, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of the sensitivity and provide appropriate treatment. They may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste, a mouthguard, or a whitening gel with a lower concentration of whitening agents. In some cases, it may be best to stop whitening or to use at-home treatments such as whitening strips or whitening toothpaste. These products usually contain lower concentrations of whitening agents, so they are less damaging to the enamel.
Final Thoughts
Sensitive teeth after whitening is a common side effect of the whitening process and can be due to dehydration of the teeth, removal of the protective enamel, or nerve damage. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent feeling sensitive teeth after whitening, such as consulting with your dentist beforehand and using a gentle toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste. If you are experiencing severe pain after whitening, you should visit your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
