What can I expect after teeth whitening?

What can I expect after teeth whitening?

If you’ve recently had a tooth whitening service or even just done some over-the-counter whitening at home, you may be curious about how to care for your teeth following the procedure and what to expect, especially regarding sensitivity.

Some patients can experience mild to severe tooth sensitivity or pain after the whitening session. This is normal and usually mild but can be severe in susceptible individuals. Patients with existing sensitivity, recession, exposed dentin/root surfaces, abfractions (micro-cracks) and other dental conditions are more susceptible to discomfort after teeth whitening. To reduce pain or soreness, Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) up to 800mg every 6 hours can be taken unless you are allergic or have otherwise been instructed not to take it. Additionally, using a sensitivity toothpaste containing potassium nitrate such as Sensodyne can help to alleviate tooth sensitivity.

Please adhere to the following instructions to improve the overall results of your whitening and avoid any unnecessary discomfort and inconvenience:

1. It is important to avoid any food, drink, or mouth product that could cause staining for the first 48 hours following whitening.

2. Tooth Sensitivity Is Normal and Should Subside

3. If Parts of Your Gum Tissue Appear White, Do Not be Alarmed

4. Take Medication

A good rule of thumb is if it can severely stain a white T-shirt, it should be avoided. Some common foods/drinks/products to avoid include:

• Mustard

• Dark Juices

• Berries

• Colored Toothpaste

• Ketchup

• Coffee/Tea

• Red or dark sauces

• Colored Lipstick

• Red Wine

• Cola

• Tobacco Products

• Drinks Containing Red Dye

If you have received an in-office whitening with us, please know that these whitening solutions are stronger than over-the-counter whitening, and they can sometimes seep into the gum tissue and cause it to turn white. This is only temporary, and will return back to normal to normal over the next couple of days. Placing Vitamin E oil on the gum tissue can help expedite this process.

Medication should be taken as instructed by the doctor. If you are experiencing pain, Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) up to 800 mg every 4-6 hours can be taken unless you are allergic or have otherwise been instructed not to.

For best results, maintain regular dental hygiene appointments to maintain good oral health. Feel free to use at-home whitening trays for touch-up treatment between routine dental appointments, and avoid food or drinks that can cause staining. Do not forget to brush and floss regularly!

What if the sensitivity I am experiencing is unbearable?

While rare, some patients experience extreme sensitivity following a strong whitening treatment. This is why we require that whitening only be performed on patients we have performed comprehensive exams for. If the doctor sees any dental conditions that might cause pain or sensitivity, she will recommend taking care of those first. However, some patients may not have any conditions or indications that they have high sensitivity to whitening, but they may still experience it. Unfortunately, this is not always avoidable, and when it does happen, we recommend the following:

• Application of a de-sensitizing gel or fluoride varnish

• Taking a pain reliever medication such as Ibuprofen or a combination product such as Dual-Action Advil

• Usage of a sensitivity toothpaste

The sensitivity will subside, but in rare cases, we have seen it take up to 24 hours.

What can I do to prevent sensitivity before whitening?

If you would like to minimize the chance of sensitivity before any whitening treatment, we recommend a few things to help beforehand:

• Up to 2 weeks before your whitening appointment, discontinue the use of any “whitening” toothpaste or “tartar control” products which may make your teeth more susceptible to sensitivity

• Consider visiting your dentist for a fluoride varnish application before your whitening session

• Before your whitening, take a dose of Ibuprofen (if you do not have any conditions that would preclude this) to minimize the feeling of sensitivity in case it does affect you

• Ask your dentist if a de-sensitizing gel can be used for your situation

If you are considering whitening treatment but are afraid of sensitivity, please call us to see what might be most appropriate for your situation. If you are feeling sensitivity and are worried about potential issues, please know that sensitivity from teeth whitening does subside and should not have any negative effects on your dental health. However, we are always here to provide any support or to provide additional clinical diagnoses for you.

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