How to Avoid Tooth Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening (Part 2)

One side effect of whitening your teeth is sensitivity to hot and cold. This article explains what causes tooth sensitivity and how to prevent it.

Why Does Tooth Whitening Sometimes Cause Tooth Sensitivity?

Hydrogen peroxide is the most commonly used bleaching agent in whitening gels. This is also the ingredient in blonde hair bleach. It actually penetrates the surface of your teeth, which is how it does more than just remove surface stains. Beneath the enamel of the tooth is the dentin, which is made up of tiny tubules. The bleaching agent enters these tiny tubules, exposing the nerve of the tooth to external temperatures. Drinking hot coffee or tea, or eating a bowl of ice cream, can become a painful experience when you have tooth sensitivity. In more severe cases, even cold winter air can make your teeth hurt. If you have tooth sensitivity, you should avoid any tooth whitening agents and seek out a good toothpaste that will help improve the structure of your teeth to prevent and treat sensitivity. Then, consult a teeth whitening dentist in NYC before choosing any form of cosmetic whitening treatment. When your tooth sensitivity is successfully treated, a mild-acting whitening agent may be used. 

Why Do Teeth Whitening Agents Cause Sore Gums?

As discussed previously, hydrogen peroxide that is used in most teeth whitening products has an abrasive nature that can “burn” your gums or create canker sores and redness. However, this is usually temporary and your gums heal relatively quickly after the whitening treatment is discontinued. If you use the product as directed by your dentist in New York or by the package insert, you can avoid most gum irritation unless you have sensitive gum tissue already.

Most tooth whitening gels only require a pea-sized amount for optimal effectiveness. Applying too much of the gel to the whitening tray can cause it to overflow and get on your gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. You only want the whitening gel to cover your teeth since this is the only thing you are trying to whiten. A custom-made tooth whitening tray will also prevent mouth sores because it will fit your mouth better than a one-size-fits-all mouth tray. Using an ill-fitting tray that is too large or too small for your mouth can cause soreness even without any bleaching agent. You definitely don’t want to combine a poorly fitting tray with too much whitening gel! You should also avoid using the strongest bleaching gel on the market. A lighter-strength whitening gel takes a little longer to whiten your teeth, but it can prevent nearly all side effects from occurring.