Teeth whitening sensitivity can be an issue for some people. However lets clear up the basics.

Sensitivity caused by teeth whitening is not permanent and it is not harmful, however it can cause pain that ranges from a mild tingling sensation to excruciating pain.

Teeth Whitening Sensitivity

Once you have decided to undergo a teeth whitening treatment you need to be aware of all the aspects of the process, whether thats a dental procedure, a take home teeth whitening kit or Crest Whitening Strips.
 

Teeth ‘bleaching’ is a strong chemical process using either carbamide or hydrogen peroxide.

Sensitivity during teeth whitening can be an issue and according to Dr. Rod Kurthy, DDS, a recognized expert in the field of whitening science, “how severe the reaction is depends on each individual and three important factors:

• genetics
• bleach stability
• acidic reaction

Before you commence teeth whitening it is important to understand general tooth sensitivity…
 

What Causes Teeth Whitening Sensitivity?

There are millions of tiny “tubules” inside every tooth that start at the nerve and extend to the tooth’s outer surface.

Inside the tiny dental tubules there is a fluid, when this fluid moves it causes sensitivity.

This movement is prevented by saliva which forms on top of the tooth’s surface and in doing so the saliva ‘plugs’ the tiny holes, preventing the movement and therefore any sensitivity.

During the whitening process the whitening gel breaks down the saliva and the holes are then opened up, creating tooth sensitivity.

The impact of sensitivity varies from person, and here are the 3 main areas to consider:-

1. Acid Reaction

This is the biggest issue surrounding teeth sensitivity during the whitening process.

‘Bleach’ reacts in different ways on the tooth enamel, dentin and gums and it is the biggest cause of sensitivity.

If you have teeth that have slight cracks, or receding gums and slight decay from daily consumption of acid foods, this can weaken the enamel.

This weakness can cause small openings in the enamel to make it easier for for acids to reach the inside of the tooth and dissolve the ‘plugs’.

When you are considering a teeth whitening treatment it is important that you have a good oral care program. A check up with your dentist beforehand would then reveal a set of teeth suitable for whitening.

2. Bleach Stability

Beware of unknown whitening gels and brands. Manufacturing a whitening gel is a science – think how powerful it has to be to whiten teeth.

It takes just 48 hours without brushing for plaque to form rock solid on the tooth. Failure to brush your teeth regularly allows the build up of plaque, that you cannot remove, and it becomes yellow tooth stain.

Over time if plaque is not removed by regular brushing it starts to build up and discolour and eventually penetrate the tooth’s surface enamel, becoming harder to bleach intrinsic stain.

The only option is to bleach’ the stain, however it is very hard to get it right. If you make a whitening gel too strong it makes if difficult to keep them at their optimum levels during blending, shipping and storage, make them to weak and they will not whiten teeth.

Most manufacturers therefore er on the side of caution and produce a ‘mid’ strength quality gel, this would be anything from 15 – 28% carbamide peroxide.

They are trying to produce a high quality whitening gel with the sole aim to produce a gel that is shelf stable with a completely neutral acid / alkaline ration or pH.

This is very hard to do and I would urge caution when choosing kits that claim 40% + whitening gel. If gels are just a little bit off ‘neutral’you are going to increase the possibility of sensitivity.

This is because if the gel is too acidic it can dissolve the tubules or plugs even more, which will lead to more sensitivity.

So if you see ‘amazing claims’ of whitening and Hollywood Smiles in just 30 minutes beware, how much science has really gone into that whitening gel? Then think again…

3. Genetics

The best analogy that can be drawn is the one between fair skinned people who burn in the sun as opposed to those darker skinned people who dont, or who suffer less sensitivity to the sun.

Everybody is different and reacts differently.

Teeth whitening sensitivity is the same, sensitivity can range from just a mild irritation or tingling, or to acute or even excruciating pain.

People with dental problems, or a history of dental problems are more likely to suffer from sensitivity, in particular those affected by hot or cold foods.

Therefore it is very important to undergo a thorough dental examination before under going a whitening treatment.