Does It Hurt to Whiten Teeth | Narre Warren Dental Care (2024)

More and more patients are considering teeth whitening to improve their smile, but most are concerned about the pain involved. The good news is, for the most part, teeth whitening doesn’t hurt. However, there are a few things you should know before getting started. If you’re interested in getting a professional teeth whitening treatment and you want to know if the treatment process hurts, continue reading our blog post to find out.

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  • What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
  • Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
  • Common Side Effects of Teeth Whitening
  • How to Deal With Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening
  • Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
  • Reasons to Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
  • Are There Any Alternatives to Teeth Whitening?
  • Final Thoughts

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. This procedure uses bleaching agents to remove stains and discolouration from natural teeth, resulting in a brighter smile. There are many benefits to professional teeth whitening, including its effectiveness, efficiency and affordability. In most cases, professional teeth whitening can be completed in just one or two office visits.

While over-the-counter teeth whitening kits are cheaper, there are several reasons why professional teeth whitening may be a better option. Professional teeth whitening is performed by trained dental professionals using state-of-the-art equipment. This means that the whitening gel is applied evenly and thoroughly to all surfaces of the teeth, resulting in more evenly white teeth. In addition, professional teeth whiteners use bleaching agents with higher concentrations than those available for at-home use. This means that the results are more dramatic and happen more quickly. And because dentists can control the amount of bleaching agent used, they can avoid over-whitening, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. If you’re looking for whiter, brighter teeth, professional teeth whitening is the way to go.

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

Does It Hurt to Whiten Teeth | Narre Warren Dental Care (1)

Patients with sensitive teeth usually report experiencing some level of discomfort or pain during or following the tooth whitening treatment. This is usually due to the bleaching agents used to whiten the teeth. These agents can cause the nerve endings in the teeth to become irritated, leading to pain and discomfort. However, this side effect is usually temporary and should go away within a few days.

Common Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is very effective in improving one’s smile and overall appearance. However, it is important also to be aware of the potential side effects of this treatment before deciding to push through with it. Knowing what to expect can help you make an informed decision about whether or not teeth whitening is right for you.

  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold. If you whiten your teeth, you can expect a temporary sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks immediately following the procedure. This will often go away within a few hours or days.
  • Gum irritation. This may occur if the beaching solution comes in contact with your gums. If this happens, it will cause pain, swelling, and whitening of the gums.
  • Tingling sensations. People often describe these sensations as feeling as if they were receiving a mini electric shock. It would help if you noted things that may aggravate or cause the symptoms you are experiencing. Sharp electric-like pain is usually related to nerve affectation. Also, report any symptoms like numbness in the area or other types of pain.

How to Deal With Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening

Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of whitening and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help manage the sensitivity and keep your smile looking its best

  • Reduce active whitening treatment frequency
    Frequent professional teeth whitening can cause severe sensitivity due to the highly concentrated bleaching solutions used during the treatment. Scheduling the interval of your whitening sessions six months to one year apart can help reduce this occurrence. Talk to your dentist about how often you should come in for treatment.
  • Avoid food and beverage that trigger sensitivity
    Foods or beverages that are too cold or hot can trigger a painful response immediately after the teeth whitening procedure which is why it is best to avoid them for a couple of days. Additionally, acidic foods and beverages should be avoided for the same reason.
  • Drink through a straw
    When needing to drink something cold or chilled with ice, the use of a straw is recommended. The straw helps the liquid bypass the sensitive tooth area.
  • Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth
    Specially-formulated toothpaste can be used to minimize tooth sensitivity. These products can help to soothe the nerve endings in your teeth and provide relief from discomfort.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Even with the risk of increased tooth sensitivity and other potential side effects, teeth whitening is generally a safe dental procedure. Since teeth whitening makes use of bleaching solutions,precautions must be taken to avoid serious complications. Some of these precautions that need to be observed regardless of whether teeth whitening is done professionally or at home include:

  • Ensure the gums and other soft tissues do not come in contact with the bleaching solution
  • Avoid ingestion of the bleaching solution during treatment
  • Limit treatment time to the suggested duration
  • Observe the proper recovery period between cosmetic treatments
  • Proper preparation of the entire tooth

If you’re worried about the safety of teeth whitening, talk to your dentist, and they can help you choose the correct bleaching procedure for you. Always remember that your comfort is important, and if anything feels wrong during your treatment, stop immediately and inform your dentist.

Reasons to Consider Professional Teeth Whitening

Does It Hurt to Whiten Teeth | Narre Warren Dental Care (3)

Are you looking for a quick and effective method to achieve brighter teeth and a more attractive smile? Professional teeth whitening may be just what you need! Here are five reasons why you should consider professional whitening:

  • Boost your confidence
    A prominent benefit of teeth whitening is the restoration or boost in confidence it gives patients. Having brilliant, pearl-white teeth makes you more open to socializing and meeting new people.
  • Improve your appearance
    Bright white teeth have become the new aesthetic norm in our present day. Discoloured and stained teeth lead people to think about poor health and hygiene. A professional teeth whitening will help you improve your appearance, brightening both your teeth and future.
  • Save money
    In the long run, seeking professional care for your teeth whitening can save you money. Your dentist offers a quicker and more effective way of achieving the desired result than at-home commercial treatment options. On the other hand, human error on the part of the patient when using these at-home kits can cause complications that will lead to additional costs.
  • Make a strong first impression
    With the drastic results from professional teeth whitening, you may find it hard to stop yourself from smiling. Your new white smile will make people more inclined to see you in a friendly light. This will make it easier for you to make new friends and leave lasting impressions.
  • Improve your oral health
    Patients with whitened teeth are more inclined to devote time to oral hygiene. This is to prolong the effects of the whitening treatment. With regular dental cleanings and proper oral hygiene practices at home, oral health can be significantly improved. This refers to more than just your teeth but also your gum tissues and other structures.

Are There Any Alternatives to Teeth Whitening?

We all know teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. However, what if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional teeth whitening? Although there is limited data on the actual effectiveness of these home remedies, some people believe that these other tooth whitening options are worth the try:

  • Activated charcoal
    You have several options for this alternative. There is commercially available toothpaste that includes activated charcoal in its formulation. Other people opt to buy charcoal pills and crack them open. The powder is mixed with water to form a paste, which is applied to the teeth.
  • Tumeric
    You can dip a wet toothbrush into ground turmeric and scrub it across your teeth to supposedly help lift stains. The solution must stay on your teeth for several minutes to improve effectiveness. Follow this up with regular toothpaste to remove yellow powder residue.
  • Coconut oil
    In a process called oil pulling, coconut oil is used as a mouthwash and teeth cleanser. You put a teaspoon of oil into your mouth and wait for it to turn to liquid while you slosh it around your mouth.
  • Guava leaves
    A coarse toothpaste can be made by crushing the guava leaves with a mortar and pestle. Guava leaves are not acidic as opposed to other citrus-based or chemical teeth whitening solutions, limiting tooth enamel erosion.

Final Thoughts

With proper care and precaution, patients should not feel pain during teeth whitening procedures. In some cases, tooth sensitivity or gum irritation can occur when the bleaching solution is applied for too long. Professional teeth whitening significantly lowers these complications thanks to the care and attention of your dentist. You can learn more about our teeth whitening treatments at Narre Warren Dental Centre by calling 03 8771 4137.

Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.

Does It Hurt to Whiten Teeth |   Narre Warren Dental Care (2024)

FAQs

Does It Hurt to Whiten Teeth | Narre Warren Dental Care? ›

This is usually due to the bleaching agents used to whiten the teeth. These agents can cause the nerve endings in the teeth to become irritated, leading to pain and discomfort. However, this side effect is usually temporary and should go away within a few days.

How painful is teeth whitening at the dentist? ›

Some dental patients typically don't feel hurt while they're having the procedure done since all they need to do is sit back and relax while the bleaching agent does its work. Although most patients report minimal to no pain when it comes to teeth whitening, everyone experiences it differently.

Should teeth whitening hurt your teeth? ›

What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.

Is it worth getting your teeth whitened at the dentist? ›

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

How long will my teeth hurt after whitening? ›

Teeth sensitivity after a professional whitening treatment can last a few days or weeks, or up to several months after. The length of your potential teeth sensitivity all depends on you and your unique case.

What is the least painful way to whiten teeth? ›

But if you're nervous about the pain, all of the dentists I consulted said professional whitening is the way to go — and it's not just because they want your money. The newest professional treatments feature desensitizing agents and a neutral-pH bleach that minimizes “zingers,” the electric-shock pain unique to teeth.

Can teeth look worse after whitening? ›

In rare cases, the white patches or streaks can remain prominent and don't go away. If this happens, then there could be another issue at play, like thinning tooth enamel, which would mean the streaks were already present in the tooth enamel before the treatment, and whitening has just made them more noticeable.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.

Why does teeth whitening hurt so much? ›

The teeth whitening effect is achieved with active oxygen. It gets deep into the dental tissues and can irritate the dental nerves. If you feel pain, inform the doctor about it immediately. When the procedure is stopped, it can be given another try once the pain goes away.

How to stop tooth pain after teeth whitening? ›

Consistent teeth brushing is essential for relieving whitening-induced sensitivity. It's thought that sensitivity occurs after whitening because the teeth weaken slightly, and brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen them and relieves sensitivity.

How many sessions does it take to whiten teeth? ›

We can usually complete an in-office treatment in one or two visits and produce results within a matter of hours. Over the counter and in home teeth-whitening kits tend to take at least a month of wearing mouthpieces every night before they start to have an effect.

How to whiten teeth over 60? ›

Bleaching Trays

Compared to commercial products, whitening trays from your dentist are stronger and much safer for seniors in particular. As you age, your gums and teeth can become more sensitive. Your dentist can first evaluate your oral health to determine if you are eligible to receive teeth whitening.

What is the best thing to whiten your teeth with? ›

If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.

What do teeth feel like after whitening? ›

The most common side effect after using teeth whitening products is temporary tooth pain and sensitivity. But there are some tips you can try that may lower the likelihood of discomfort after the procedure.

What are the zaps after teeth whitening? ›

Zingers are sudden, sharp zaps in a tooth that some people may experience after tooth whitening. They usually last for a few seconds at a time. These can occur during the whitening procedure and may last for a day or two after treatment.

Do teeth stain faster after whitening? ›

While whitening treatments can temporarily make teeth more susceptible to staining immediately after the procedure, this effect is typically short-lived.

How long does teeth whitening take at dentist? ›

The length of professional teeth whitening depends on the dentist you choose, how many shades the patients want to lighten their smile, and other factors. In general, it typically takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The following is a review of professional teeth whitening and how long the process takes.

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