Do you have stained or yellow teeth? Have you been considering getting professional teeth whitening at our dental practice? If you have, you may be concerned about any side effects from this process, for example, sensitivity. As your local Shepparton Dentist, this is something we are often asked by patients.

In this article, we will discuss teeth whitening, sensitivity, how long the whitening process will last, what can be done to deal with tooth sensitivity and much more!

Will my teeth feel sensitive if I have them whitened?

The straightforward answer to this is yes. Most dental patients have mild sensitivity following the procedure. Typically, some 2-3 days following the procedure, patients’ teeth feel more sensitive. However, people with highly sensitive teeth or thinner enamel may find it lasts between 1-2 weeks after the initial treatment.

At Maude Street Dental we use the most up-to-date, advanced teeth whitening treatment products and procedures to help reduce teeth sensitivity. However, it is highly likely that your teeth will still be a little sensitive following the initial treatment. Why? We give an insight into this below.

So why does the teeth-whitening procedure cause sensitivity?

To date, this is still an unknown factor to all dentists. Nonetheless, many scientists believe that it is connected to the small dentinal microtubule structures in your teeth.

These microtubules are minute, tube-like structures connecting the tooth’s surface to the nerves within your tooth. While the outside layer of teeth has no nerves, the tubes send out sensations into the nerves, enabling you to feel things when you bite and chew.

It is believed that when teeth are whitened, they become marginally weaker from mineral loss – a common consequence of teeth whitening products. In turn, the weakening exposes the dentinal microtubule, making them more susceptible/sensitive to pressure, cold, heat, etc.

As you continue with your oral hygiene routine of brushing and caring for your teeth, minerals are drawn back to your tooth enamel and once again cover the microtubules, bringing the sensitivity back to its normal level. This perhaps explains why patients experience higher sensitivity levels following the teeth whitening procedure.

What can I do to reduce Teeth Whitening Sensitivity after treatment?

We set out below a few steps that we recommend you take after a teeth-whitening procedure.

1. Prior to any treatment, speak with your dentist about any pre-existing teeth sensitivity. If you are already experiencing this, be sure to mention it to your dentist before any treatment.

Your dentist may recommend a modified treatment plan to safeguard your comfort, for example, undergoing multiple, lower-strength sessions rather than a single appointment.

2. Following treatment, you may like to consider using anti-sensitive toothpaste. Be sure to consistently brush your teeth after the procedure to help restrengthen your teeth. Sensodyne toothpaste is readily available on the market and is a good anti-sensitive toothpaste to use after the whitening process.
3. Avoid food and beverages that may aggravate your teeth sensitivity after the whitening procedure – very hot and extremely cold food and drink should be avoided, as well as those foods which are tough or crunchy, as these may cause further discomfort.

Contact us today at Maude Street Dental to learn more about our professional teeth whitening or discuss your cosmetic teeth whitening needs. We are here to help!