Over time, many patients accumulate tooth discoloration from food and drinks, leaving their smiles darkened or yellowed. With a professional teeth whitening procedure, our Nashville patients can once again smile with confidence. If you are considering teeth whitening as a way to remove years of surface and sometimes even deep stains, you should also understand what to expect after Teeth Whitening.
With the right expectations and an accurate understanding of the risks, you can have a satisfying and worry-free experience.
Side Effects after Whitening
While teeth whitening carries few inherent risks and side effects, patients can expect some discomfort in their teeth and possibly gums after treatment. This is due to the active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, which is responsible for expunging stains from teeth. Although the effects are brief and usually mild, you should be aware of these common side effects from whitening:
- Heightened sensitivity in teeth: After treatment, teeth should be expected to have increased sensitivity for a day or two. This may range from a dull ache to sharp, sporadic pains. For a majority of patients, sensitivity is easily manageable with over-the-counter pain medication and by avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks. Those who have sensitive teeth prior to treatment are more likely to experience discomfort, and may wish to consider a take-home whitening kit rather in-office treatment , as the gel contains smaller doses of hydrogen peroxide per application.
- Irritation in gums:If the whitening gel comes in contact with gum tissue, it may result in a brief but irritating chemical burn. The gums will appear discolored and may sting for a few hours, but should fully heal within the first or second day. With professional treatment by an experienced cosmetic dentist, accidental gum exposure to the gel can be greatly minimized or avoided completely. This is further aided by an appropriately fitted dental tray, which will limit gel from leaking out onto the gums.
Because children and younger adolescents still have developing teeth, the dentin tissue within their teeth is not as well protected. As a result, whitening treatment would result in even greater side effects and possible risks. Treatment is therefore reserved for patients who are 16 and older.
The Effects of Over-bleaching
Teeth whitening is a relatively safe cosmetic treatment, posing few (if any) risks to most patients. However, those who undergo too many successive whitening treatments do put themselves in danger of over-bleaching.
If teeth are overexposed to the hydrogen peroxide agent in whitening gel, the outer layers of enamel may begin to wear away, exposing the dentin and soft inner tissues. This results in lasting sensitivity and discoloration, as dentin is a naturally darker color than enamel. Moreover, eroded teeth are left vulnerable to injury or disease, and may thus require permanent protection by porcelain veneers or dental crowns.
If you have previously benefited from teeth whitening and are considering another whitening treatment, speak with your dentist to determine if enough time has passed.
The Limitations of Teeth Whitening
Keep in mind that whitening gel is most effective on surface stains, which are generally the result of food, drink, and tobacco use. Deeper stains, such as those formed by injury, medication, or fluoride, are more difficult to remove. Depending on the nature of discoloration, whitening may not be able to address all stains. For alternative cosmetic options to conceal stubborn stains, consider dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
Additionally, teeth whitening is not particularly effective on restorations. Dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and visible fillings will not benefit from the effects of whitening as natural teeth would. If, after treatment, your restorations no longer match the color of your teeth, you may replace them to blend in with your brighter smile.
Get Started On Your New Smile
Whiter teeth are just one office visit away. Contact us to learn more about this procedure or any of our similarly effective cosmetic treatments.
Related to This
FAQs
Heightened sensitivity: After undergoing whitening, patients will likely experience an increase in tooth sensitivity over the next 24 to 48 hours. The degree of sensitivity varies among patients, and is largely dependent on one's prior sensitivity.
How long does it take for teeth to heal after whitening? ›
But, there is no need to get panic. This discomfort will disappear shortly, and you will get healed in 1-2 days following the Teeth Whitening Treatment in Pasadena.
What are the don'ts after teeth whitening? ›
DON'T Drink Dark-Colored Beverages
There are certain beverages that should be avoided within the first week of your teeth whitening treatment - and should be kept to a minimum going forward. These drinks include coffee, red wine, sodas, tea, and the like. All of which are known to cause staining.
How long do your teeth hurt after whitening? ›
Sensitive teeth are a common side effect of most whitening treatments. The good news is that these zingers typically only last a few hours after treatment. If they persist for more than a day or two, contact your dentist in Rancho Bernardo to discuss possible causes and solutions.
How long does it take for teeth pores to close after whitening? ›
Once the pores close, which usually happens within 24-48 hours after the procedure, you can resume your normal habits.
Do teeth turn yellow again after whitening? ›
Teeth whitening is an effective way to brighten your smile, but it's not a permanent solution. After teeth whitening, your teeth can turn yellow again due to several factors. Diet: Certain foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, red wine, cola, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables, contain pigments that can stain teeth.
How long do teeth take to rehydrate after whitening? ›
Rehydrating Teeth After Whitening
After your procedure, your teeth will naturally rehydrate themselves in two to seven days. However, there are things you can do to help your teeth during this time. Drink plenty of water – water naturally hydrates every part of your body, including your teeth.
How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally? ›
When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening. Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.
What are the zaps after teeth whitening? ›
Zingers are sudden, sharp zaps in a tooth that some people may experience after tooth whitening. They usually last for a few seconds at a time. These can occur during the whitening procedure and may last for a day or two after treatment.
How to make teeth hurt less after whitening? ›
How to get rid of teeth sensitivity after whitening?
- How to get rid of teeth sensitivity after whitening? ...
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. ...
- Avoid exposure to hot and cold drinks or food. ...
- Apply a sensitive teeth toothpaste. ...
- Mouthwash.
What Causes Uneven Color After Teeth Whitening? Here are a couple of reasons why your teeth may appear patchy after undergoing teeth whitening near you: A lot of the time, the edges of your teeth respond more quickly to bleaching than the inner areas since the bleach can penetrate the enamel more rapidly.
Do teeth stain faster after whitening? ›
While whitening treatments can temporarily make teeth more susceptible to staining immediately after the procedure, this effect is typically short-lived.
What happens if I accidentally drink coffee after teeth whitening? ›
Since any of these drinks can leave stains on the teeth, they can cause them to appear unevenly whitened. In addition, they are both acidic, which can cause the teeth to become sensitive or wear down enamel.
How long until I can eat normally after teeth whitening? ›
When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening. Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.
How do you restore enamel after whitening teeth? ›
Your dentist may recommend a post-whitening fluoride treatment, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Fluoride works to restore minerals onto the tooth's surfaces after dental procedures like tooth whitening. This treatment helps with preventing future re-staining and long-term tooth sensitivity.
How long to wait to brush your teeth after teeth whitening? ›
Immediate Aftercare: Wait for at least an hour after the whitening procedure before brushing. This time allows your enamel to recover without causing any sensitivity. First 24 Hours: For the initial hours after whitening, avoid brushing to give your teeth time to settle.
How long does it take to go from yellow teeth to whiten teeth? ›
Ideally, you will use an electric toothbrush to eliminate as much staining as possible. Use teeth whitening toothpaste two times per day and you might notice whiter teeth in as little as half a month's time. However, it could take upwards of a month and a half to produce meaningful results.
