What Causes Pain after Tooth Whitening

If you have teeth that are yellow, stained, or otherwise not as while as you wish they could be, then you may want to consider teeth whitening. Teeth whitening treatment at our Broward County cosmetic dentistry practice is much more effective than the toothpastes, rinses, whitening strips, and tray systems you can get at the store. In just a single one-hour visit to our office, your smile can look much white and brighter by several shades.

Now, with that said, some patients have experienced issues with tooth sensitivity and some pain after teeth whitening. While this discomfort is an annoyance, it’s not uncommon. It can be dealt with rather easily as well. Let’s take this opportunity to discuss why it is that some patients experience tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening, whether at the office or at home. We’ll also look at what can be done to reduce this tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity following teeth whitening treatments have to do with the way the bleaching agents react with your teeth. While removing stains from the surface of your teeth, the bleaching agents penetrate the enamel of the tooth and part of the dentin layer. This can affect the microsopic tubules within every tooth that link the surface of the tooth to the dental pulp and nerves within, leading to added sensitivity. If bleaching agents get on your gumline, tooth sensitivity can increase there as well.

When it comes to Broward County teeth whitening, there are many ways that we can reduce sensitivity in our office. For one, we can apply a desensitizing agent to your teeth to help reduce any undue sensitivity that you may be experiencing or might experience later after treatment.

There are things that you yourself can do as well. When using an over-the-counter whitening kit or a take-home kit, be sure to follow the instructions to the letter. Do not use too much bleaching agent and do not leave the strips or trays on for too long. When cleaning your teeth during the duration of your teeth whitening treatment, use a gentle toothpaste for sensitive teeth and use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Be sure to rinse with lukewarm water.

There’s plenty more to discuss with teeth whitening, but it’d be better if we could do that with you in person. To schedule an appointment, contact our Coconut Creek and Pompano Beach cosmetic dentistry practice today.