How to avoid common side effects of teeth whitening

This is an article about the side effects of tooth whitening and how to avoid them.

If you missed part 1 of this series, please go back and read it first. In this second part of the series, we address some common questions about the side effects of tooth whitening. This information will prepare you for your first consultation with a cosmetic dentist in New York to learn about the best tooth whitening method for your individual case. Keep in mind that working with a professional throughout the entire tooth whitening process will help prevent any of the side effects mentioned here.

1. Why does tooth sensitivity occur as a result of some tooth whitening treatments? How can I prevent tooth sensitivity if I want to whiten my teeth?

As we discussed in part 1 of this series, the active ingredient in most tooth whitening products is hydrogen peroxide. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in a given product typically ranges between 10% and 22%. This is the same ingredient used in hair bleach.

If you’ve ever bleached or highlighted your hair or if you’re a beautician who frequently works with bleaching agents, you already know that leaving the bleach on hair too long can damage the delicate hair shaft and create frizz or even break the hair strands.

Tooth whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide penetrate below the surface of your teeth. This is what separates whitening gels and strips from whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses, which only remove surface stains. Tiny, living tubules beneath the enamel of your teeth become penetrated by the hydrogen peroxide. This whitens the tubules, much like a sand dollar that eventually turns white underneath the sun as sunlight gradually penetrates the tiny tubules in the sand dollar.

If you leave the whitening gel on each tooth for just the right amount of time, it will slowly penetrate the tubules until you rinse the solution off. However, if you use too strong of a solution or if you leave the solution on too long, the tubules will become so saturated that the bleach begins to penetrate the nerve root. This is when tooth pain and sensitivity occur. If you use a high-strength whitening gel or leave it on too long, you may have pain for several days or even weeks every time you are exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Ice cream and hot cocoa will be painful experiences.

Teeth whitening dentists in NYC usually recommend using a mid-strength or medium-strength whitening gel, as opposed to the full-strength gels containing higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

2. Why do teeth whiteners cause sore gums for some individuals?

Another frequently encountered issue people have when using an over-the-counter teeth whitening product is sore or bleeding gums and even mouth sores. This happens as a result of getting the hydrogen peroxide bleach on the sensitive periodontal and oral tissue. While this can sound inevitable, especially if you are prone to canker sores and bleeding gums, it is usually preventable. The best way to prevent any gum irritation or mouth sores is to get a custom-fitted dental tray that is made in your dentist’s office. Using a custom-fitted tray instead of an over-the-counter one-size-fits-all mouth tray will ensure that the whitening gel is distributed evenly on all your teeth and doesn’t overflow onto your gum tissue. You should also only apply a pea-sized amount of whitening gel to each tooth. More gel is not necessarily better.