Dealing with Sensitivity During Teeth Whitening Service & Long Term Sensitive Teeth

If you are considering getting your teeth whitened, you have probably second guessed your decision because of tooth sensitivity issues. This is one of our most frequently asked questions. Does it hurt? Will it make my tooth sensitivity worse? While minor irritation to the gums may occur, because of our precise technique, we are able to avoid most contact with the gumline.

When it comes to whitening your teeth, one of the main concerned is tooth sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, you can still effectively whiten your teeth. During the teeth whitening process, you’ll receive Vitamin E to the gum lines combat irritation by keeping the Hydrogen Peroxide away from the Dentin exposed at the gum line. Then, our professionals paint on the Hydrogen Peroxide with extreme precision to ensure that only your teeth receive the product. While this method is more time consuming, it is effective and avoids getting most Hydrogen Peroxide on the gumline.

While our unique technique in painting on the Hydrogen Peroxide directly to the teeth, sometimes patients do experience tooth sensitivity. And this can be uncomfortable. While most patients don’t experience any sensitivity, those who do have tooth sensitivity have said it’s more of an annoyance than pain. However, we understand that every person is different. Some patients may feel sensitivity that leaves them unable to eat and drink without pain.

The science behind tooth sensitivity will help you understand why you might be experiencing discomfort. Like skin, our teeth are covered with tiny pores. During the teeth whitening process, it’s necessary to open these pores to remove stains. As the pores, or tubules, are opened, the nerves are alarmed. And, in effect, when anything cold or hot touches these pores on the teeth, the nerve endings respond.

Another concern for many patients is damage to the nerves in the teeth. There is no evidence that the teeth whitening has any harmful effects on a tooth’s nerve. There have been studies on this, with a 7-year follow up, and no one who used a tooth whitening system needed a root canal on any teeth that were whitened.

Some patients will feel sensitivity after treatment and some will never experience side effects. If you experience tooth sensitivity, there are strategies you can try to alleviate any discomfort:
● Be conscious of how you’re breathing. Breath through your nose and not your mouth.
● Avoid extreme temperatures when eating and drinking. Room-temperature is best.
● Try drinking from a straw so that ice and cold liquids do not directly contact your teeth.
● Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control discomfort
● Advise Technician before and during the procedure, so that they may reduce time to minimize saliva build up, which washes Hydrogen Peroxide onto the gumline.

Once you’ve received your initial treatment, if you follow maintenance suggestions, like avoiding beverages that stain teeth, you can wait one year or longer before any touch-ups are needed. While sensitivity can be a concern, don’t let it stop you from having a beautiful smile. The power a white smile can bring will transform your confidence.