Teeth whitening is an extremely popular cosmetic procedure because it can lighten your teeth up to 8 shades and remove stains in a single dental visit. But is teeth whitening safe for sensitive teeth? In this article, we answer this question and discuss what you need to consider when choosing a whitening procedure.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Sensitive Teeth?
A teeth whitening procedure can be safe for sensitive teeth, but only if it is professionally and responsibly performed. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, on the other hand, are never safe, even for teeth with strong enamel, let alone for sensitive teeth. Let us look at the main differences between professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter solutions and what effect they can have on sensitive teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth
If you have sensitive teeth, it means that the enamel is weak, demineralized, or compromised in some way, making your teeth more susceptible to damage and bacteria. Teeth whitening typically uses a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, which temporarily makes the enamel more porous, allowing the dark pigment in its deeper layers to be destroyed.
This process increases sensitivity for 10 to 14 days, even in healthy teeth with strong enamel, and can cause irreversible damage to teeth whose enamel is weak to begin with when whitening is performed irresponsibly. In addition, it can harm the gums, causing irritation or burns. In fact, some people might be advised against teeth whitening if their oral health is at risk.
Before professional teeth whitening, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth to determine which type of whitening solution they can safely handle without the procedure resulting in permanent damage. The strength of the solution and the application time will be carefully chosen based on your oral health needs and can be adjusted during the process as your teeth respond to the procedure. This means the whitening procedure might not yield dramatic results, but it will preserve your oral health.
Professional teeth whitening can be performed in a dental office, or your dentist may provide you with a home-use whitening kit that you will use over several days (do not confuse dentist-provided whitening solutions with over-the-counter kits). Also, your dentist might use additional tools, such as lasers, or recommend supplementary procedures, such as fluoride treatments, to help your enamel remineralize and heal after your whitening procedure.
Why Over-the-counter and DIY Whitening Solutions Are Not Safe for Sensitive Teeth
As we mentioned before, irresponsible teeth whitening can cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. With over-the-counter and DIY solutions, you cannot control the strength of the solution, and you do not take your personal oral health needs into account.
Often, such self-performed procedures result in burns to the gum tissue and permanent tooth sensitivity, as the enamel cannot be restored once it is severely damaged. On top of that, teeth with damaged enamel are prone to decay. That is why we strongly recommend avoiding over-the-counter or DIY whitening solutions, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Otherwise, you might require more costly, time-consuming procedures to treat the damaged teeth than professional teeth whitening.
Get Teeth Whitening at Shodhan DHS
If you require teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a leading dentist in Desert Hot Springs today. At our dental office, we prioritize the safety and oral health of each client. We are looking forward to your visit.
