Does whitening teeth hurt?

Usually, people with sensitivity to teeth whitening will experience discomfort or pain during whitening treatments or in the minutes, hours or days following a specific treatment. Typical discomfort is often attributed to either the teeth or gums and is based on the type of teeth whitening treatment.

How long will teeth hurt after whitening?

Because of the process used in teeth whitening, sensitivity can occur immediately following the procedure. The high intensity lasers used in a laser whitening session combined with the strong bleaching agents are the causes of this sensitivity. Luckily, it only lasts for 24 to 48 hours at most.

What does teeth whitening pain feel like?

Your teeth may start to ache during the whitening procedure, and you may feel discomfort when drinking or eating hot or cold products. This potential side effect of teeth whitening is usually short-term, and goes away with time.

Is whitening teeth worth?

So, is it worth it? Whether you choose to have your teeth whitened in-office, or opt for the take-home trays, professional teeth whitening is the best choice for permanently whiter teeth. The quick and lasting results combined with an increased comfortability make the higher cost completely worth it.

Why does teeth whitening hurt so much?

Tooth sensitivity is a possible side effect after teeth whitening and is most often caused by the bleaching solution used to whiten teeth. This solution can remove minerals within the enamel and cause the teeth to become temporarily porous, exposing micro tubules within the teeth.

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt? Hygienist Kim answers!

What are the risks of teeth whitening?

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 teeth whitening permanent?

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last? Unfortunately, teeth whitening is not permanent. The length of your results will depend on your unique case, but typically teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few months to 3 years.

Can I eat after teeth whitening?

Enjoying the most benefit from this gentle, effective procedure includes watching what you eat for the first day afterward. In general, you should avoid foods that are likely to cause re-staining or irritate sensitive teeth. After a short time you can resume a normal healthy diet, normally between 24-72 hours.

Do I brush teeth after whitening?

We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.

What should I do before teeth whitening?

Before a teeth whitening treatment, the focus is on protecting your teeth and gums as much as possible, to reduce the chances of post-treatment sensitivity. The night before and the morning of your treatment, brush your teeth very gently, taking care to avoid your gums as much as possible.

What to expect after teeth whitening?

Although the effects are brief and usually mild, you should be aware of these common side effects from whitening: Heightened sensitivity in teeth: After treatment, teeth should be expected to have increased sensitivity for a day or two. This may range from a dull ache to sharp, sporadic pains.

Can yellow teeth become white?

Yellow teeth can often be fixed with teeth whitening treatments. At Old Town Smiles, we offer our patients cutting-edge treatments that efficiently and effectively whiten teeth. After a treatment with us you will have a dazzling smile that is up to ten shades brighter!

How long does a teeth whitening take?

In the dentist's office, the procedure will take approximately half an hour to ninety minutes. To completely whiten your teeth, you will have to have one to three appointments. Depending on the severity of your stains and how white you desire your teeth to be, you can have more procedures done.

How do dentist whiten teeth?

Professional whitening can be done in a dentist's office in about an hour. The procedure involves application of a tooth whitening gel containing between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide, and then aiming a special heating lamp at your teeth for three 20-minute intervals, with reapplication of the gel between intervals.

Can teeth whitening be painless?

Teeth whitening doesn't need to hurt, though. Painless dentistry can make the treatment not just tolerable, but manageable.

Do LED lights brighten teeth?

First, the bleaching agent is applied to your teeth, and an LED light, laser, or halo light is then directed at your teeth. LED lights speed up the tooth-bleaching process by helping the peroxide to break down faster, forming free radicals that whiten the teeth.

Which teeth whitening is safest?

The American Dental Association (ADA) has also said that hydrogen peroxide whiteners are safe and effective. Look for the ADA seal of approval. You'll find it on whitening toothpastes and teeth bleaching products that have been found safe and effective in independent tests.

How often should I whiten my teeth?

So how often should you whiten your teeth? Generally speaking, it's a good practice to return to your dentist for teeth whitening services roughly once per quarter, or once every three months. This is even if you haven't noticed a dramatic dulling of your smile yet.

How do I keep my teeth white after whitening?

Are yellow teeth stronger?

Yellow teeth seem to get a bad reputation and are usually associated with poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, we have some good news for those who lack those pearly whites. Yellow teeth are actually stronger than bright white teeth!

Can teeth naturally whiten?

Brush with baking soda

Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it's a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It's a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth ( 10 , 11 ).

How much is professional teeth whitening?

Professional, in-office teeth whitening is the most expensive option with a national average of $650 per visit (pricing can vary between $500 to $1,000). However it does have the benefit of being performed by an experienced dental professional, helping to ensure that you get the sort of results you're looking for.

Can all teeth be whitened?

Once the dark tooth matches the rest of the teeth, that may provide the best cosmetic outcome. If the single dark tooth becomes lighter than the unbleached (other) teeth, then all the teeth can be carefully whitened together if needed.

What age can you start teeth whitening?

However, dentists recommend waiting until children are at least 14 years old before considering teeth whitening for kids. If you want to learn more about whitening your child's teeth, talk to your dentist and have them examine your child's teeth to determine if they can be whitened.

When is the best time to whiten your teeth?

The best time to whiten your teeth is just before

Immediately after whitening (regardless of the product you use), your teeth are more susceptible to restaining. The pores in your teeth are slightly more open and can more easily allow stains in.