You know that mini somersault your stomach does when you walk into the dentist office? Somehow they all have that same, triggering smell. A drill or instrument whirs ominously in a nearby room. Your gut knows what those sounds and smells mean: pain is imminent. But if you’re just getting some teeth whitening is it really going to hurt?
Teeth whitening treatments have become more popular in recent years as white teeth have become more commonly associated with wealth, education, youth, and attractiveness. Whiter teeth help you to smile with confidence and thus appear more approachable.
Some teeth whitening methods can cause a high level of sensitivity for certain people. If you have sensitive teeth, you may experience minor to severe pain following a teeth whitening treatment. The amount of discomfort you experience after whitening is directly tied to the type of treatment you use.
Thankfully, there are methods to reduce sensitivity and whitening treatments that are specifically designed for sensitive teeth to help avoid this pain. Sensitive teeth should never be a reason to stray you away from a pearly white smile! Read on to learn why tooth whitening sometimes causes discomfort and how you can avoid pain when you have your teeth whitened.
Why Does Whitening Your Teeth Cause Discomfort?
Bleach-based products tend to dominate the teeth whitening industry. There are many forms of bleach, from household cleaning products to the more gentle kind in teeth whitening. In teeth whitening solutions, peroxide is one of the most common ingredients and usually comes in the form of gels or other mixtures applied directly to your teeth. This solution can irritate the nerves in your teeth, making them feel sensitive, similar to how they feel when biting into something very cold. Those with thin enamel (the outside protector layer of your teeth) experience more discomfort than those with thick enamel.
The danger with take-home drugstore teeth whitening solutions is that over-bleaching can wear down the enamel that protects the inside layers of your teeth and prevents tooth decay. When this happens, the dentin, or inside layer of teeth, is exposed and therefore causes dentin hypersensitivity. When tooth enamel is thin, this can cause gum pain and further discomfort. At Jet Dental we have a much safer way to go about whitening your teeth because of our professional and effective procedures.
Side note: looking to have your teeth whitened? Send us a note at Jet Dental! Rather than making you take time out of your busy day we’ll show up right at your office or wherever you work. Our mobile dentistry trucks and mobile staff can set up a dentist office right in the break room! Our services are 100% free to employers. Have your boss give us a call and we’ll be happy to set up a time to come.
How to Prepare for a Professional Teeth Whitening to Avoid Sensitivity
Although professional teeth whitening is a safer option than take-home solutions, proper preparation beforehand can help with sensitivity. Here are 3 preparations you can make before your professional teeth whitening appointment.
- Invest in a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth like Sensodyne or Colgate Sensitive and start using 2 weeks before your appointment.
- If you know your teeth are naturally sensitive, talk to your dentist about receiving a lower dose of whitening treatment and lengthen time between treatments.
- Have your dentist perform a “touch and air” test to evaluate the sensitivity of your teeth before treatment. This way they can recommend the best treatment for you.
Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity
You may be wondering, how do I know if I have sensitive teeth? The following are symptoms someone with sensitive teeth may experience:
- Sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
- Discomfort when flossing or brushing teeth
- Sensitivity to foods and drinks that are acidic and/or high in sugar
Teeth Whitening Aftercare: How to Avoid Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening
Teeth sensitivity is usually the highest after whitening treatment, so make caring for your teeth a priority. Sensitivity can last from a few days up to a few weeks and is different for everyone depending on their teeth. After 48 hours if your teeth are still extremely sensitive then call your dentist and they can prescribe you something stronger to help with the pain.
Here are 4 tips on how to avoid tooth sensitivity after whitening:
- Use a tooth sensitivity toothpaste.
You can use a tooth sensitivity toothpaste until your teeth are no longer sensitive and you return to your normal routine. The most active ingredient in sensitive toothpastes is potassium nitrate because it soothes gum pain and minimizes pain signals from the mouth to the brain. If used twice daily, you should notice a reduction in tooth pain after only a few uses.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid extreme temperatures of water.
When brushing after a teeth whitening treatment, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid extreme temperatures of water to decrease sensitivity. Brush gently and let the toothpaste linger in your mouth a little longer to decrease tooth discomfort.
- Avoid drinks that are very hot or cold.
After a teeth whitening treatment, your teeth will be extra sensitive to extreme temperatures. To avoid the discomfort, don’t consume anything extra hot or cold. Stay away from ice cream, popsicles, ice water, coffee, tea, etc. If it is too hard to stay away from coffee, drink through a straw so that it doesn’t touch your teeth.
- Don’t brush right after whitening.
Brushing immediately after a teeth whitening treatment can cause extra sensitivity because it opens your pores and exposes the inner dentin layer of your teeth. Sometimes brushing right after can erode your enamel as well. To prevent this, wait a couple hours at least before brushing again.
