One of the most common cosmetic treatments that we perform at Eagle Gate Dental in Salt Lake City is teeth whitening. Professional, in-office teeth whitening removes stains and discoloration, making your smile look pristine.

While teeth whitening is generally non-invasive and can have some excellent results, it is not without side effects, albeit mild ones. Let's look at those side effects right now.

Tooth Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening

One of the most common side effects after a person undergoes teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. This refers to an acute sense of discomfort when a patient eats or drinks a food or beverage that is hot or cold. Tooth sensitivity will generally only last a few days, with the most serious sensitivity common in the first 24 hours.

Why Tooth Sensitivity Occurs After Bleaching

It's important to consider the structure of the tooth to properly answer this.

Teeth whitening targets the enamel, the topmost layer of the tooth structure. It does this by using a bleaching agent that penetrates into this enamel layer to whiten and brighten the discolored material.

In the process of doing this, the bleaching gel will partially affect the dentin layer, which is located just below the enamel. This dentin layer contains small pores in the structure known as tubules that lead directly to the dental pulp and root structure. The tubules become more sensitive as a result of the bleaching agent passing through the enamel, hence triggering acute sensations of discomfort to hot or cold substances.

Ways of Reducing Tooth Sensitivity After Bleaching

When undergoing professional teeth whitening, your dentist will place a tooth desensitizer on the teeth in order to reduce the amount of sensitivity experienced in the first day after treatment. Some at-home kits come with a tooth desensitizer as well, and the bleaching agent itself should be used as directed to avoid overexposure and even more acute sensitivity from treatment.

Patients are advised to avoid hot or cold foods and beverages until the sensitivity abates. Rinsing with lukewarm water when brushing or flossing is also advisable.

Gum Irritation After Teeth Whitening

Another potential side effect after teeth whitening is gum irritation. This can lead to the gums (or other soft tissues of the mouth, for that matter) feeling acutely sensitive and tender for a few days. This tends to be less of an issue with professional in-office whitening.

Why Gum Irritation Occurs After Bleaching

Gum irritation occurs when bleaching gel winds up on the patient's gum tissue rather than remaining on the teeth. The soft tissue will become irritated by the exposure to the active ingredient in the bleaching gel, which is usually hydrogen peroxide or a similar substance.

Ways of Reducing Gum Irritation After Bleaching

With professional in-office whitening, the dentist and the dental hygienist take care to wipe off any bleaching gel should it get on the gums, which is why we mentioned this side effect is usually unlikely in professional settings.

When patients use a whitening kit at home, they should remain attentive about where the whitening gel winds up. If whitening gel gets placed somewhere other than the teeth, it should be wiped off with a cotton swab.

Learn More About Dental Care Treatment

To learn more about teeth whitening treatment and your many other options for dealing with tooth discoloration and aesthetic problems affecting your smile, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. The entire team at Eagle Gate Dental looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve the best dental health results possible.