Written By: Dr Anitha Anchan | Published : June 18, 2015 4:54 PM IST
I had my teeth whitened yesterday. But now I have this weird feeling while eating. Is teeth sensitivity after whitening procedure normal? How long is it going to last?
Bleaching, or tooth whitening, can help you get a brighter smile. But it can come at a price. Teeth are whitened using peroxide group of compounds such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When they come in contact with the surface of a tooth, these compounds are activated to release free radical oxygen. The free radical oxygen penetrates the outer layers of the tooth and oxidizes the colour producing pigments, which gives it a whiter appearance.
But teeth whitening procedures have their own side effects mainly due to the use of various bleaching agents and abrasives. When done under trained hands, the side effects are negligible and limit themselves to slight sensitivity of teeth. The sensitivity may last for about a few hours to a few days post the bleaching session. Bleaching removes the protective protein layer on the surface of your teeth and increases tooth porosity causing sensitivity. Using higher concentrations of bleaching agents than you need and using for longer than necessary can cause the bleaching molecules to penetrate deeper into your teeth and cause severe sensitivity.
Some dentists recommend using toothpaste to reduce sensitivity several days before the procedure and for a few weeks afterward. Do not overdo teeth whitening: Repeating the procedure too often can erode the enamel or the outermost layer of your teeth.
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