If you’ve been thinking about whitening your teeth to reverse stains and yellowing in St. Clair Shores, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea, especially if you have sensitive teeth. So, can teeth whitening cause sensitivity? The answer is yes. But the longer answer is “yes, but that’s normal.”
Some sensitivity after whitening is very common, and it usually lasts only a few days. In this blog from St. Clair Tooth Co., we’ll discuss sensitivity caused by teeth whitening, why dentists think it happens, and a few ways to deal with it and keep yourself comfortable after treatment.
If you get your teeth whitened at St. Clair Tooth Co., you’ll probably experience some mild sensitivity for a few days after your treatment from Dr. Carly Cassleman. This is normal, and happens to most patients. And if your teeth are naturally sensitive, this may persist a bit longer and be more intense.
Still, this is nothing to worry about. When you get your teeth whitened by a dentist, they will plan your treatment to ensure your teeth are not damaged in any way by the whitening process. This is one of the reasons we recommend against at-home whitening with over-the-counter kits. It’s more difficult to whiten your teeth properly, and you could end up damaging your teeth personally.
The precise cause of teeth sensitivity after whitening is still not 100% understood by dentists. But most theories involve small structures in the teeth called “dentinal microtubules.”
These are very thin, capillary-like structures in the teeth that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside the tooth, and let you feel things like pressure and temperature. They are important because the outer layers of your teeth have no nerves of their own.
The theory is that when your teeth are whitened, this weakens the tooth slightly and exposes them, making them more sensitive. Then, as you brush your teeth after treatment, the fluoride in your toothpaste helps rebuild the tooth and covers the microtubules back up, reducing sensitivity once again.
First, make sure you tell Dr. Cassleman if you have sensitive teeth before your treatment begins. This way, she can adjust your treatment to accommodate your sensitivity, and make sure you stay comfortable. Dr. Cassleman may recommend that you whiten your teeth more gradually over multiple sessions, for example.
We also recommend brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy. You can use an anti sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne to help reduce sensitivity, too.
It can also be helpful to avoid very hot and cold foods and drinks, or tough and hard foods that require a lot of force to chew. This will help keep you more comfortable while your teeth are sensitive.
Teeth sensitivity can be a little bit uncomfortable after whitening, but it’s nothing to be concerned about, and it will go away quickly, leaving you with a beautiful, picture-perfect smile. And at St. Clair Tooth Co., Dr. Cassleman uses the latest whitening technique and advanced products to minimize sensitivity.
So don’t wait. Take the first step toward a brighter smile by contacting us online or giving us a call today, and scheduling an appointment at St. Clair Tooth Co. We’re always happy to see new patients in St. Clair Shores and Grosse Pointe.
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