Is Teeth Whitening Painful?
When teeth whitening is performed properly, it should not cause pain. However, some patients may experience discomfort afterwards depending on the condition of their teeth. Here is a deeper look at these facts.
Professional Whitening Prevents Pain
Patients who visit our dentist to have their teeth whitened enjoy multiple safeguards against pain. Before every whitening procedure, our dentist places barriers that block the soft tissues from the peroxide gel. Our dentist also leaves the gel on the teeth only for a specific amount of time to maximize results and minimize risks of enamel damage.
Sensitivity Sometimes Occurs Afterwards
Even when it is not performed excessively, tooth whitening can harm enamel slightly if it is already thin. This can result in temporary sensitivity towards hot, cold, sweet, and sour foods and drinks. Teeth do recover from this naturally, however, and our dentist can apply fluoride after whitening to further speed elimination of any sensitivity.
The potential for pain is one of many reasons why patients should only receive professional whitening from a trained and licensed dentist. During all whitening procedures performed at our office, our dentist works to prevent these complications. You can contact our dentist to schedule a consultation and learn more about how pain is prevented during professional whitening.