Teeth whitening sensitivity is almost always temporary, lasting 1-4 days after treatment. Professional whitening under a dentist’s supervision in Bryn Mawr offers the safest results with proper enamel protection and minimal discomfort.
If you have been contemplating getting your teeth whitened but are concerned about whether or not they will be sensitive permanently, well, good news! After practicing on the Main Line for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is very rare to have permanent tooth sensitivity to whitening. The most common type of sensitivity people experience from whitening is temporary discomfort that lasts only a couple of days and can be reduced or eliminated with some simple techniques.
I regularly hear from patients in my office located in Bryn Mawr (Dillon Family Dentistry) asking about whitening their teeth before attending weddings, going to reunions, and taking headshots for work. The questions about permanently sensitive teeth come up at almost every appointment when someone comes in to whiten their teeth. Therefore, let’s address what happens to your teeth during the whitening process, why some people feel a “tingling” sensation after whitening, and most importantly, how you can have a nice, bright smile without any discomfort!
What Actually Causes Tooth Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening?
The sensitivity that you experience after having your teeth professionally whitened actually occurs when the active ingredient (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) enters through the enamel and reaches the dentin layer of your tooth, where the nerve endings are located. You can visualize the enamel of your tooth as if there are small “pores” in the enamel. When the whitening solution is used on your teeth, the peroxide works its way through the microscopic channels in the enamel and enters the dentin layer, where it can reach the nerve endings.
When the peroxide makes contact with the nerve endings, it creates an inflammatory response, which your tooth may react to by signaling you with this message, “Hey, something’s happening to me!” Fortunately for you, this inflammatory response does not last long, and while your tooth won’t sustain any damage, it will be more sensitive to changes in temperature for a day or two than it was before you had the teeth whitened. Additionally, the effects of sensitivity will likely be amplified for a few days if you are moving from cold outside air into a warm environment like the Bryn Mawr Film Institute when you are just outside walking by the building.
Not all people will experience the same degree of sensitivity. Some of my patients describe the sensation as slight, while others will have sharp or sudden “zingers.” If you experience sensitivities, if your enamel is thin, if you have exposed roots or gum recession, you may have additional discomfort while your teeth are whitening than individuals with more normal, healthy teeth.
Is Teeth Whitening Sensitivity Permanent?
The vast majority of cases indicate that post-whitening tooth sensitivity is usually temporary. In most patients I see in my Bryn Mawr office, that sensitivity will be completely resolved within 48 hours. Usually, the transient sensitivity you might experience will last between 1 and 4 days following the completion of the whitening process.
Numerous studies have consistently shown that the majority of patients experience only temporary sensitivity after having their teeth bleached. Studies published in dental journals report that 1/3 – 2/3 of users of over-the-counter bleaching systems have mild to moderate sensitivity during treatment and experience no sensitivity after the treatment is over. There has never been any documented evidence showing that the use of properly used over-the-counter bleaching systems can cause irreparable damage to the structure of your teeth.
However, if you have pre-existing sensitivity issues due to gum recession, wear on the enamel, or cavities that were not treated, you will still have those sensitivity issues after whitening. The whitening process may temporarily highlight your existing sensitivity issues, but it does not create any new or permanent damage to your teeth. This is why I perform a comprehensive dental examination before any cosmetic treatment is done in my Bryn Mawr office.
How Long Does Whitening Sensitivity Last?
The duration of post-whitening sensitivity is influenced by several different factors, including: the amount of whitening agent used, how long it remained on your teeth, how sensitive your teeth are before the treatment, and if you are using in-office professional treatment, or over-the-counter whitening strips.
When using an in-office treatment like ZOOM whitening (which we’ve been providing on the Main Line for over 20 years), the highest level of sensitivity is generally within the first 24 hours of the whitening procedure and then decreases steadily thereafter. Most patients have no sensation of sensitivity by the 2nd or 3rd day. At-home tray systems using custom-made trays have less initial sensitivity, but may lead to persistent minor sensitivity over the duration of the treatment.
Over-the-counter whitening strips typically contain significantly less peroxide (about 5-6% vs. 25-35% for professional) and result in less intense sensitivity initially, but can produce longer-lasting discomfort due to the usage of the strips at least once per day for 10-14 days. In this situation, it is like the difference between funneling water through a funnel vs. a steady stream from a hose.
If prolonged, significant sensitivity persists after two weeks of the whitening treatment, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination, as there are possible underlying conditions (e.g., broken fillings, cavities, or recession) that need to be addressed.
Professional vs Over-the-Counter Whitening: What’s Safer for Sensitive Teeth?
“How do I choose between at-home whitening strips or a professional dentist? Only the person thinking of how white their teeth will be after either option knows the answer to that question.” Each option provides the person with a result that might have varying levels of sensitivity based on the above variables. Professionally performed whitening will eliminate many of the causes of tooth sensitivity that result from gum irritation caused by inappropriate use of toothpaste and/or teeth whitening products. The use of a barrier (usually a gel or rubber dam) will keep the whitening solution off the gums; timing and mg/ml strength of the whitening agent can be altered until you reach an acceptable level of whitening without producing unintended side effects such as tooth sensitivity; if you do have discomfort during the procedure, we will be able to immediately stop your procedure and/or apply a desensitizer if needed.
The level of customization associated with over-the-counter products is not as great. You may find that the generic whitening strips are not able to cover every tooth evenly, and they may even overlap onto your gums, so you will know when they do this, since this can develop some sensitivity. Over-the-counter products do not have any guidance from a professional; therefore, you may not have any issues with the whitening strips; however, if you have untreated tooth decay and/or exposed roots, the whitening strips could cause you more than just sensitivity; they could also result in a lot of pain.
The fact that they do work well for people who have healthy teeth and very little sensitivity, and who would like gradual results, and have no problem with longer treatment times, does not mean that they are bad. However, if you are sensitive or would like very fast and dramatically whitened teeth with the oversight of a dentist, in-office whitening is your best option. If you would like to have the benefit of professional strength whitening at home and would like to use a custom-made tray to achieve these results, you will be able to obtain this option through us at our Bryn Mawr dental office location.
How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening
If you have sensitivity after whitening, you don’t have to suffer through it until it gets better. There are numerous strategies to help alleviate your discomfort:
Using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth 2 weeks before your whitening appointment will help prepare your teeth, and there are many to choose from with potassium nitrate as a key ingredient that decreases the nerve response in your teeth. I have recommended Sensodyne or similar types of toothpaste to all of my patients in Bryn Mawr. By using the toothpaste in the morning and at night, your teeth will have some protection prior to whitening your teeth.
Avoid serving your whitening-treated teeth with hot and cold temperatures, and avoid hot coffee or ice water for the first couple of days after treatment. Use room temperature liquids or lukewarm foods as they won’t cause your teeth to have that zinger feeling. If you are grabbing lunch at one of the many great places to eat on Lancaster Ave in Bryn Mawr, request that your water be served without ice.
Some patients may require some type of over-the-counter pain medication before their whitening procedure. Ibuprofen is often recommended for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, if you cannot tolerate NSAID medications, Acetaminophen will also provide relief. Taking either of these medications prior to your whitening procedure can help to reduce potential sensitivity from your treatment.
Speak to your dentist about an in-office professional desensitizing treatment. Your dentist can use fluoride varnish or desensitizing gel immediately after your whitening procedure to create a protective barrier over your enamel that will help reduce sensitivity for weeks.
With at-home trays, it’s not necessary to whiten on consecutive days; for example, whitening every other day, or even every third day, will allow you to achieve your desired results while allowing your teeth time to recover.
Does Whitening Damage Enamel?
You are only worried about your teeth because you don’t want them to be damaged by whitening products. The science and reasoning behind this concern will be explained here for your peace of mind.
Whitening products can safely be used without damaging enamel when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The two types of whitening products available (hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) work through (1) oxidation and (2) chemical alteration of stain pigments trapped in the microscopic pores of tooth enamel, not by removing tooth enamel. So the structure of the enamel on the tooth will remain unaffected after the use of a whitening product.
However, there can be issues with improper or excessive use. Bleaching too often and using high concentrations without a dentist’s supervision can temporarily dehydrate your enamel. This will give it a chalky appearance and make it more porous or fragile, increasing its sensitivity. For these reasons, I limit my patients to no more than two whitening sessions a year and recommend they see a professional while doing the procedure.
Enamel will remineralize after whitening. Saliva contains calcium and phosphorus, which help to restore enamel. Drinking enough water and practicing good oral hygiene will help support this process. If you’re concerned about the health of your enamel, I’m happy to measure your enamel thickness and recommend the safest method to whiten during your consultation.
Safe Teeth Whitening Options for Sensitive Teeth in Bryn Mawr
If you are someone who has sensitive teeth, you are not disqualified from whitening; you simply need a more thoughtful plan. At Dillon Family Dentistry, we have established specific protocols that are designed for patients who have sensitivity concerns:
Lower concentration whitening solutions with longer exposure times tend to provide superior results than using a higher concentration professional whitening solution quickly. We can create a custom tray whitening system utilizing 10%-15% carbamide peroxide as opposed to higher concentration carbamide peroxide (e.g., 20%-35%). As a result, you will have the opportunity to wear