{"id":944,"date":"2019-03-13T10:22:29","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T14:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drszarek.com\/blog\/?p=944"},"modified":"2019-03-13T10:22:31","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T14:22:31","slug":"causes-sensitivity-teeth-whitening-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drszarek.com\/blog\/causes-sensitivity-teeth-whitening-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Causes of Sensitivity from Teeth Whitening and 5 Things You Can Do about It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Teeth whitening is an easy way to rejuvenate your smile. But what if you experience sensitivity from whitening? Something is wrong. Whitening your teeth should be a comfortable and enjoyable experience<\/a>. Causes, treatment, and prevention of sensitivity or pain are discussed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes\nSensitivity with Teeth Whitening?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Decay <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Untreated cavities get worse and affect the layers of your\nteeth. When decay begins to affect tooth pulp, which includes nerves, your\nteeth can become sensitive to heat, cold, and other things\u2014including whitening\ngel\u2014that come in contact with your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Leaking restorations <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If dental fillings or other restorations, including dental crowns<\/a>, are not correctly sealed or bonded, bacteria and fluids can leak beneath them. The tooth pulp will become irritated. If you use teeth whitening gel while you have a leaking restoration, it can create even more sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Gingival recession <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Receding gums expose tooth roots. The roots can become\nsensitive to the touch and to temperature changes. Already sensitive roots can\nbe further irritated with teeth whitening gel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Cracks or other damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If a tooth has a small fracture or other damage, bleaching\ngel can leak in and create sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Dentin tubules <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dentin tubules are small channels in the dentin, or middle layer of a tooth, that transfer sensations<\/g> from outside a tooth to the inside. Although dentin tubules naturally have plugs, the chemical reaction during the whitening process opens the plugs. Some people experience sensitivity to the carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening gel as it flows to the tooth nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can You Do About Sensitivity from Teeth Whitening?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Use a lower concentration of whitening gel <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are varying strengths of whitening gel. You might get\nbetter results with a less potent gel. It might take a little longer to get\nyour teeth as white as you want, but the experience will be more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo
Teeth whitening should be comfortable<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Shorten the whitening session <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reduce the time you wear the bleaching trays. Shorter\nsessions can limit sensitivity in your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Whiten your teeth less often<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Give your teeth a break. Avoid whitening them for an extended period of time, and avoid excessive treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Use toothpaste for sensitivity <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some types of toothpaste are designed to reduce sensitivity\nin teeth. You can use them before and after whitening sessions. Your dentist\ncan provide you with desensitizing gel or paste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Protect your teeth in advance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you receive teeth whitening from a dentist, a\ndesensitizing agent can be applied to your teeth before and after bleaching\nsessions. Some dentists ask patients to use desensitizing toothpaste up to two\nweeks before a whitening session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing prolonged sensitivity in your teeth,\nschedule an appointment with your dentist. He or she will examine your teeth\nand gums and explain your treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dentist-supervised teeth whitening provides safe, comfortable, and predictable results. Speak with your dentist about your options for a brighter smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Teeth whitening is an easy way to rejuvenate your smile. But what if you experience sensitivity from whitening? Something is wrong. Whitening your teeth should be a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Causes, treatment, and prevention of sensitivity or pain are discussed below. What Causes Sensitivity with Teeth Whitening? 1. Decay Untreated cavities get worse and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[544,686,687,685,682,683,684,202],"class_list":{"0":"post-944","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-teeth-whitening","7":"tag-cosmetic-dentist-teeth-whitening","8":"tag-decay-teeth-whitening","9":"tag-gum-disease-teeth-whitening","10":"tag-teeth-whitening-desensitize","11":"tag-teeth-whitening-lowell-ma","12":"tag-teeth-whitening-massachusetts","13":"tag-teeth-whitening-pain","14":"tag-teeth-whitening-sensitivity","15":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nCauses of Sensitivity from Teeth Whitening and 5 Things You Can Do about It | Michael Szarek DDS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why are your teeth sensitive from teeth whitening gel? 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Prevention is also discussed.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.drszarek.com\/blog\/causes-sensitivity-teeth-whitening-prevention\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-03-13T14:22:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-03-13T14:22:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.drszarek.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/teeth-whitening-trays-lowell-ma.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"AllSmiles\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"AllSmiles\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Causes of Sensitivity from Teeth Whitening and 5 Things You Can Do about It | Michael Szarek DDS","description":"Why are your teeth sensitive from teeth whitening gel? 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