Post Teeth Whitening Treatment Guide Part 1: Dealing With Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

At Solterra Dentistry we know that getting those sparkly white teeth from our state of the art teeth whitening equipment might leave you with some questions when you leave our office. While we are always here to answer any of your questions we hope that this page can help answer some of those quick questions that may come to mind regarding tooth sensitivity after your whitening appointment.

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Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Whitening?

Your teeth may hurt after a whitening procedure for several reasons. Most notably due to the chemicals used to brighten your smile. The powerful bleaching agents that penetrate your enamel to deliver the sparkly smile of your dreams do have a side effect of leaving your teeth sensitive for a few days. 

These chemicals are completely safe for the average person and we ensure that you have healthy teeth before any whitening procedure. If you have any concerns, always feel free to call and discuss your options. 

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What To Do For Pain After Teeth Whitening:

After getting your teeth whitened it is very common to feel a tingling sensation or slight sensitivity to cold or hot foods and beverages. If you are experiencing pain after teeth whitening there are a few solutions to helping ease the pain:

1. Avoid Foods and Beverages That Are Hot or Cold: 

We don’t mean avoid consuming anything but after leaving your appointment give your teeth some time to respond to the treatment and avoid eating or drinking extremely hot or cold foods and drinks, especially those that are highly acidic.

2. Bypass Your Pain With a Straw:

Seems simple but bypassing your teeth can help you get past the initial pain after a treatment, especially if you are craving something very hot/cold or acidic!

3. Change Up Your Brushing Routine:

Soft-Bristled toothbrush

Using a softer toothbrush will help your teeth recover and heal after a whitening treatment.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

Using special toothpaste such as Sensodyne or any other toothpaste that is specialized for tooth sensitivity.

Brush your teeth with lukewarm water in a circular motion:

Make sure you aren’t using water that’s too cold or too hot when brushing your teeth, as well as brush in a circular motion. If you are unsure, schedule a hygiene appointment with us today and one of our amazing hygienists will walk you through the proper teeth brushing technique.

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4. Contact Us:

As with any dental emergency or pain that you may experience, don’t hesitate to call us! We are always here to answer your questions and ensure that you are happy with your experience.

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How To Get Rid Of Teeth Sensitivity After Whitening:

Now that we know how to manage tooth sensitivity, what if we need to get a quick fix for tooth sensitivity after a whitening appointment? While there aren't any foolproof ways to immediately solve this, there are a few tactics that may get your teeth back to feeling normal a little quicker than usual. 

1. Take An Over-The-Counter Anti-Inflammatory

Always consult your dentist, pharmacist, or physician before taking any medication, including over-the-counter variants.

2. Wait At Least a Few Hours to Brush Your Teeth

Due to the chemicals in bleach trays and other whitening equipment, it is usually wise to wait a few hours before brushing your teeth. This will help your teeth recover and not be as sensitive as the pores in your enamel will be vulnerable and brushing your teeth will only add to the distress.

3. After The Two-Hour Wait, Brush Your Teeth As Outlined Above

This brushing solution outlined above may provide some temporary relief and get past the first day of tooth sensitivity without feeling much discomfort.

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Be Proactive About Tooth Sensitivity Before Getting Your Teeth Whitened

If you frequently experience tooth sensitivity it could be wise to start using desensitizing toothpaste for a few weeks prior to your appointment to help counteract the heightened sensitivity of a whitening procedure. If you are extremely prone to tooth sensitivity be sure to mention it to your dentist as they may be able to use potassium nitrate in your whitening trays to reduce sensitivity. 

As always, be sure to consult your dentist or doctor before taking any actions to be sure that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, and can safely handle any side effects that may come. 

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