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Just because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, it doesn’t mean you’re going to have a bad day at work. And just because you’ve decided to get teeth whitening treatment, it is not a forgone conclusion you’re going to have to deal with sensitive teeth. There are steps you can take to prevent that discomfort or at the very least minimize it. Here are common causes of teeth sensitivity after a whitening session and a game plan from your cosmetic dentist in Norton Shores to ensure it won’t be an issue for you!
Why Can Whitening Treatments Make My Teeth Hurt?
Enamel strength and the quality of teeth vary for each person, so the level of sensitivity will vary as well when people elect to get their teeth whitened. Enamel erosion, age, and previous dental work can all factor in, not to mention that some people just have naturally sensitive teeth. If you felt discomfort after a whitening treatment in the past, it would make sense to verify that it wasn’t the result of a cavity, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or a recent dental treatment.
If you’ve ruled out those possibilities, the sensitivity could have resulted from the whitening treatment you recently had. The reason this can happen is the use of peroxide-based whitening agents. Peroxide, which gets below the tooth’s surface to lighten it, is present in whitening toothpaste, store-bought whitening kits, and whitening treatments at the dentist’s office.
The whitening treatment temporarily removes microscopic amounts of minerals from your enamel. Although they are replenished within a few days, you may experience sensitivity to the air, cold foods and beverages, brushing your teeth, or eating items that are sweet, sour, or acidic.
How Do I Sidestep Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening?
If you are thinking of whitening your teeth, you should discuss it with your dentist. They can conduct a “touch-and-air” test to evaluate your teeth sensitivity prior to whitening and recommend the treatment that will work best for your individual needs. When you are having a whitening treatment at the dentist’s office, you can request that they use a desensitizing treatment or a varnish to provide immediate relief.
If you are using a whitening kit at home, you could avoid discomfort by using a lower concentration of peroxide, reducing the amount of whitening treatment in the bleaching agent tray, taking a break between your treatments until the discomfort subsides, or using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
Potential discomfort will probably come down to how frequently your teeth have been exposed to peroxide-based whitening agents, but maybe you have sensitive teeth in general. The best thing you can do is inform your dentist in Norton Shores of your concerns and ask them any questions you may have so you can make attaining your white smile as painless as possible!
About the Practice
At Laketown Family Dental, Dr. Eric and Ariel Heisser utilize their amazing partnership for the benefit of your smile, as they collaborate on cases frequently. Both have obtained Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is an accreditation achieved by less than five percent of dentists nationwide. If you are interested in professional teeth whitening, they offer in-house treatments or take-home kits that can be personalized to suit your smile. You can schedule a consultation on their website or by calling (231) 737-2273.