Sensitive Teeth after Whitening: It's Causes and Ways to Fix

Whitening your teeth is an excellent option for bringing back the confidence in your smile, though some wonder if it’s worth it as many experience teeth sensitivity after the procedure. Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that causes discomfort in the nerves of the teeth when encountering specific substances of varying temperatures.

This condition can happen to anyone due to the enamel being worn down due to overbrushing, or when the gum line has receded, resulting in the dentin become exposed. Keep in mind that the enamel is what protects the underlying layer of dentin, which is connected to the nerve that triggers pain in sensitive teeth.

While the pain is sharp and sudden, there’s no need to pass up on the opportunity to whiten your teeth as it is temporary and can be treated easily. To that end, we’re here to explore the different causes of teeth sensitivity after whitening and ways to get rid of it.

What Causes Teeth Whitening Sensitivity?

1. Sensitivity to Certain Chemicals in the Whitening Product

Many whitening products, be it from a professional or over-the-counter, feature hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient. This is usually the leading cause of teeth sensitivity after whitening as many people are vulnerable to peroxide as the harsh chemical tends to reduce the enamel in the teeth, leading to hypersensitivity.

Due to the loss of a protective layer, your teeth may ache during the procedure and when consuming either hot or cold products after the whitening process. Studies by Lasers in Medical Science suggest that irradiating teeth with a low-level red laser and an infrared diode after the whitening treatment significantly reduced the risk of teeth sensitivity.

2. Bleaching

When bleaching teeth, the molecules of the bleach tend to penetrate the teeth and disturb the normal blood flow. This leads to a feeling of pressure on the tooth pulp, resulting in mild pulpitis and teeth sensitivity.

Ways to Getting Rid of Sensitive Teeth after Whitening

Teeth sensitivity is temporary and will pass after a short period; however, there are remedial measures that can speed up the healing process.

• Decrease the Time Span of Bleaching

Wearing the bleaching tray for lesser time can reduce the chances of damaging the tooth pulp, which can help get rid of teeth sensitivity after whitening.

• Use Lower Concentration of Whitening Agent

Since teeth sensitivity is primarily caused by the quality of the whitening agent, decreasing the agent’s concentration can help lessen the risk of sensitive teeth after the procedure.

• Use Gel or Toothpaste that Caters to Sensitive Teeth

If the sensitivity persists, be sure to seek the help of your dentist as they will prescribe a gel or toothpaste that can soothe your discomfort and reduce sensitivity in the teeth.

If you’re looking for a local dentist to help you with your sensitive teeth, get in touch with us today for a free consultation!