Teeth Whitening and the Matter of Sensitivity

Thanks to how safe and effective dental whitening really is, it has been the leading cosmetic dental treatment amongst many patients that trust the results they can get from it. With just a single trip to the dentist, you can have the best-looking smile of your life, but for those of us with tooth sensitivity, is it really that easy?

The way tooth whitening works are by using a whitening agent to break down the discolored molecules within your teeth to appear fainter when looking at your overall smile. This does involve the breaking down of your tooth enamel as well which could have adverse effects for those with weak enamel, to begin with.

What Causes Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening

To really understand why sensitivity happens after tooth whitening, it is important to note the structure of our teeth. In the center, we have the pulp, and the pulp is enveloped by the rest of our tooth structure, called the enamel, that has thousands of tiny tubules that can catch microscopic debris, making your teeth look dull. With the whitening agent, these tubules are opened and cause sensitivity.

What to Do About Sensitivity

Fluoride rinses can be of great help to those seeking to whiten their teeth as it works to preemptively strengthen the enamel of your teeth. You can even improve your tooth comfort after treatment by drinking at room temperature and with a straw.

Here at Image Dental, we want you to know that any of your needs or desires in terms of dental care are our top priority. If you have any more questions about tooth sensitivity or teeth whitening, be sure to give our SW Calgary, AB, office a call in order to set up an appointment today!