Why do Your Teeth Hurt After Whitening?

Millions of people have had their teeth whitened around the world. The majority of people do not notice any substantial drawbacks that would prevent them from whitening again. Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. However, there may be some negative effects, like with any medical operation. Although the majority of side effects are modest, inappropriate usage of over-the-counter whitening products like peroxide gels can result in sensitivity, pain, and even chemical burns.

What Are The Consequences Of Teeth Whitening?

Increased tooth sensitivity is the most common negative effect of teeth whitening. This is the most prevalent negative effect of peroxide-based dental whitening. While your teeth are exposed to severe temperatures, such as when eating ice cream or hot soup, you will suffer some discomfort. Fortunately, this is only temporary and will go away when you finish your whitening gel treatment. Toothpaste containing peroxide for enhanced whitening does not have high enough peroxide concentrations to induce this negative effect in the majority of persons.

Another common negative effect of whitening is gum inflammation. The harsh chemicals used in whitening gels come into touch with your gums, causing this. Most dentist-assisted teeth whitening treatments employ custom-fit trays to keep the whitening gel in touch with your teeth while keeping it away from your gums. Because at-home whitening treatments use one-size-fits-all trays, filling the tray with too much gel can easily expose your gums to the bleaching ingredient. Follow the whitening gel’s directions exactly as written and do not apply more than a little teardrop-sized amount to the tray. This will keep your gums from becoming inflamed.

Stomach irritation and nausea from consuming teeth whitening gels are less prevalent and easily avoidable side effects of tooth whitening gels. This can be avoided by limiting the amount you apply and simply avoiding drinking and eating while whitening. Tooth sensitivity is, unfortunately, more difficult to avoid for those who are prone to it.

Why Does Teeth Whitening Make Teeth More Sensitive?

Peroxide-based whitening gels can cause pores in the structure of your teeth, exposing the inner dentin layer to food and drink. Peroxide induces a chemical reaction that opens up the microscopic tubes that make up dentin, known as dentinal tubules. The root nerve of your tooth is exposed to external temperature impacts because of this. If you have this adverse effect, even cold winter air can trigger painful sensitivity. The soreness will fade when the dental nerve and dentin warm or cool back to body temperature, but it can be a major irritation in the meantime.

Use a good restorative toothpaste to strengthen the structure of your teeth and reduce sensitivity before starting an at-home whitening treatment if you already have sensitive teeth. Consider using a whitening gel with a lower peroxide content to avoid the sensitivity side effect entirely, but keep in mind that this will necessitate more whitening treatments.

When you’ve achieved the whitening results you sought and stop using the bleaching gel, the heightened sensitivity will fade and eventually disappear. If the increased dental sensitivity doesn’t go away quickly enough for you, simply start using fluoride and NovaMin-containing restorative toothpaste on a daily basis to reduce your tooth sensitivity. You’ll be able to eat and drink everything you want without discomfort once more. Just remember to avoid highly pigmented meals to avoid staining your teeth again, and use a decent whitening toothpaste after the whitening gel treatment to keep your new, better smile looking wonderful.

Why Does Teeth Whitening Irritate the Gums?

If the powerful peroxide chemical found in teeth whitening solutions like gels and strips comes into contact with the sensitive tissue of your gums, it can cause painful chemical burns and irritation. This gum discomfort is usually just transient and goes away once you stop using the whitening gel for a few days. To whiten your teeth safely and avoid adverse effects, carefully follow the guidelines for any whitening products you buy. To avoid gum irritation, make sure you only use the amount of gel stated in the directions and wipe away any excess that comes into contact with your gums. You only need a small bit per tooth, about the size of a teardrop.

Because the over-the-counter versions are not individually fitted, the trays used with whitening gels might irritate gums on their own. When the tray rubs on the gums, it might irritate the delicate tissue. Limiting the amount of time you wear the tray can help to alleviate the irritation, but it will take more sessions to get the ideal shade.

The varied quantities of peroxide found in various whitening products cause diverse reactions in different persons. If you’re worried about peroxide whitening’s adverse effects, I recommend utilising whitening strips or gels with a reduced carbamide peroxide content to avoid gum and tooth sensitivity. This allows you to gradually increase the concentration of peroxide required to whiten your teeth to the desired degree, rather than buying the strongest peroxide product available, which is more likely to create adverse effects.

How Can You Whiten Your Teeth Without These Harmful Side Effects?

Purchase a whitening gel from a respectable and well-reviewed firm, preferably one that manufactures all of its goods in the United States, as my favoured brand does. Always read and follow the guidelines carefully, and don’t use the whitening gel excessively. Remember that putting extra gel in the tray and overfilling it will not whiten your teeth, but will expose your gums to chemical burns and discomfort! Consider starting with a low-strength peroxide gel and gradually increasing the dosage until you achieve the desired shade of white teeth. Remember that even professional teeth whitening can cause unpleasant or bothersome side effects such as increased sensitivity. This is simply a byproduct of the peroxide used in all traditional whitening techniques to whiten your teeth.