How do we manage tooth sensitivity after whitening treatment?

Teeth whitening is a procedure that many patients request, out of a desire to have a neat, beautiful smile.

As well as the fact that a well-groomed dentition suggests increased self-care, it can also automatically mean increased self-confidence.

Indications for teeth whitening

There are many situations in which teeth whitening is recommended, the most common of which are:

• Genetically yellower teeth – each person is born with a certain phenotype, i.e. they possess certain characteristics from the time of intrauterine development.

Likewise, the color of the teeth, in some situations it can be naturally darker and in the same type disturbing for the patient, so they will opt for whitening treatment.

• Acquired stains – these stains may be the result of smoking or the consumption of liquids and foods that have a chromogenic potential, i.e. that favor the deposition of staining substances in the dental units (red wine, dark berry juices, red beetroot).

• Some medications in patients undergoing chronic treatment or even certain oral cavity care products (chlorhexidine mouthwashes) can have the same effect of changing the color of teeth. Depending on the frequency with which these chromogenic factors act but also the duration of contact with the dental units, they can produce minor or severe staining.

• Excessive fluoride consumption, especially in children, and the administration of fluoride tablets can lead to intoxication, a phenomenon called fluorosis, which is characterized by the appearance of white spots on the crowns, initially, and then, as the disease progresses, these spots turn brown.

Many patients confidently turn to teeth whitening treatments without first investigating what they entail.

Treatments carried out in a dentist’s surgery or at home, but with the doctor’s consent, give good results because they are supervised by a specialist in the field.

Sometimes whitening treatments done after the patient’s ear can lead to adverse side effects.

Even if whitening is done in the surgery or at home, one of the side effects that occurs inconsistently and in varying degrees of severity is tooth sensitivity.

This phenomenon present after tooth whitening is mild to moderate in intensity, but transient.

A few years ago, when these treatments were still in their infancy, the number of patients experiencing tooth sensitivity was higher compared to the situation today, because desensitizing agents, amorphous calcium phosphate, fluoride and potassium nitrate were included in the bleaching gel formulations.

The reaction is perfectly normal, the patient should not be frightened if during or after the treatment he/she shows tooth sensitivity, that is why it is recommended that tooth whitening is done in the office, to reduce the risk of irritation of the gums and the appearance of tooth sensitivity.

Usually, the dentist may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the day the teeth whitening is performed and as guidelines, the patient should avoid very cold or very hot drinks, rinse the mouth with lukewarm water and use fluoride toothpaste.