Can teeth whitening cause permanent sensitivity?
Are you getting tired of your yellow teeth? If so, you might be considering a teeth whitening treatment. But before you head to the drugstore and pick up a box of over-the-counter strips or go for an in-office procedure like laser whitening, there are some things you should know about the side effects. In particular, if your teeth feel extra sensitive after bleaching them, it can be disconcerting—but don’t worry: It’s not permanent! Here’s what causes this sensitivity and how to treat it if it happens to you.
Teeth Whitening can cause sensitivity.
You may experience sensitivity after teeth whitening. Sensitivity is a condition in which the tooth enamel becomes more easily worn away by foods and drinks, so that it feels as though your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
Sensitivity can be caused by several factors:
- Whitening strips are more likely to cause sensitivity than other treatments because they use hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient. The concentrated form of this chemical can cause irritation on its own, but it also breaks down into oxygen molecules that attack the enamel on your teeth–and this process makes them even more susceptible to damage from heat or cold (or anything else).
Whitening strips are more likely to cause sensitivity than other treatments.
Whitening strips are more likely to cause sensitivity than other treatments.
Whitening toothpastes can also lead to temporary sensitivity, but it’s less common than whitening strips.
Rinses do not cause as much sensitivity as either of these methods because they don’t contain any peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which are the chemicals that cause teeth whitening reactions in your mouth.
If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, you can try treating with a toothpaste containing fluoride and potassium nitrate.
If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, you can try treating with a toothpaste containing fluoride and potassium nitrate.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste: A milder way to treat sensitivity is by using a fluoride-based toothpaste. Fluoride helps remineralize the enamel on your teeth, making them stronger and less likely to be damaged by acid in the mouth.
- Use potassium nitrate mouthwash: If you don’t want to use a fluoride-based toothpaste or if it doesn’t work well enough for you, another option is potassium nitrate mouthwash (also called “baking soda” or “soda”). This type of rinse helps reduce pain caused by acid erosion by neutralizing acids in the mouth during brushing or rinsing after eating acidic foods like oranges or tomatoes
Sensitivity is a potential side effect of teeth whitening, but it usually goes away when you stop using the product.
Sensitivity is a potential side effect of teeth whitening, but it usually goes away when you stop using the product. If you’re experiencing sensitivity and your teeth are still sensitive after a week or two, then it’s likely that you have permanent damage to your tooth enamel.
You can reduce your chances of developing sensitivity by using toothpaste containing fluoride and potassium nitrate; this will help strengthen your enamel so that it’s less likely to be damaged by bleaching agents. You should also avoid acidic foods and drinks while undergoing treatment; they can make things worse if they come into contact with sensitive areas on your gums or tongue.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to treat or prevent sensitivity caused by teeth whitening products, contact us today!
Whitening your teeth can be a great way to improve their appearance and make them look whiter. But it’s important to know that this treatment has some potential side effects, including tooth sensitivity. If you experience pain after bleaching, try switching to a different product or stopping altogether until the problem goes away by itself over time–which usually takes about two weeks after stopping use of any whitening product.
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