A gleaming white smile can boost your self confidence, and today’stooth-whitening productsare easier than ever to use at home.
Years ago, most whitening products contained very harsh ingredients that were found to actually damage teeth and cause extreme sensitivity. Products have improved greatly since then and now use high-quality ingredients that are gentler on your teeth.
Tooth whitening is a rather simple procedure that can be accomplished either at the dental office or inyour own home. The only downside to whitening your teeth is the sensitivity that sometimes develops.
This article discusses what tooth sensitivity is, how whitening treatments can cause it, and what you can do to reduce the symptoms.
Morsa Images / Getty Images
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is experienced as a rush or wave of pain, usually in response to hot or cold foods and drinks. It isn’t known exactly why tooth whitening causes sensitivity.
However, peroxide—one of the main ingredients in most tooth-whitening products—can weaken enamel and penetrate close to thedentin layerto cause sensitivity and irritation.
Dentin is a sensitive part of the tooth. It surrounds the tooth’s pulp (where the nerves are), and is made up of tiny tubes. When a tooth’s nerves are irritated, it can cause pain.
The Possible Side Effects Teeth Whitening
If you already suffer from tooth sensitivity and are thinking about whitening your teeth, you may want to reconsider because it could make your sensitivity worse. However, there are ways to combat this issue and still allow yourself to whiten your teeth and achieve a beautiful smile.
Tips to Reduce Sensitivity
If you are whitening your teeth at home and develop sensitivity, the techniques below may help. These tips may also be helpful if you’ve had your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office.
Although tooth sensitivity with whitening is very common, it is usually of short duration, lasting just 24 to 48 hours.
How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast
Summary
Even though tooth-whitening products are safe to use at home, it’s still possible to develop sensitivity from using them. Knowing the steps you can take to reduce sensitivity symptoms and knowing when to contact your dentist can help you complete your treatment and put you on the path to a bright, white smile.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kalliath C, Mukunda A, Pynadath M, Venugopal V, Prethweeraj J.Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.Ayu. 2018;39(2):113-117. doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_82_18Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Davari A, Ataei E, Assarzadeh H.Dentin hypersensitivity: etiology, diagnosis and treatment; a literature review.J Dent (Shiraz). 2013;14(3):136-145. PMID:24724135Additional ReadingAcademy of General Dentistry.Why are my teeth sensitive?Reviewed January 2012.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kalliath C, Mukunda A, Pynadath M, Venugopal V, Prethweeraj J.Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.Ayu. 2018;39(2):113-117. doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_82_18Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Davari A, Ataei E, Assarzadeh H.Dentin hypersensitivity: etiology, diagnosis and treatment; a literature review.J Dent (Shiraz). 2013;14(3):136-145. PMID:24724135Additional ReadingAcademy of General Dentistry.Why are my teeth sensitive?Reviewed January 2012.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kalliath C, Mukunda A, Pynadath M, Venugopal V, Prethweeraj J.Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.Ayu. 2018;39(2):113-117. doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_82_18Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Davari A, Ataei E, Assarzadeh H.Dentin hypersensitivity: etiology, diagnosis and treatment; a literature review.J Dent (Shiraz). 2013;14(3):136-145. PMID:24724135
Kalliath C, Mukunda A, Pynadath M, Venugopal V, Prethweeraj J.Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.Ayu. 2018;39(2):113-117. doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_82_18
Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079
Davari A, Ataei E, Assarzadeh H.Dentin hypersensitivity: etiology, diagnosis and treatment; a literature review.J Dent (Shiraz). 2013;14(3):136-145. PMID:24724135
Academy of General Dentistry.Why are my teeth sensitive?Reviewed January 2012.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
