Teeth whitening is an excellent way to get a white, radiant smile.
There are lots of success stories, but just like anything else, there are teeth whitening side effects.
Whitening side effects are all mild.
There could be some pain or irritation in the teeth or another part of the mouth.
In each case, it is caused by the bleaching agent.
The dosage may be too high, or it may trigger sensitivity in the teeth.
Let's look at the possible side effects of teeth whitening.
Sensitivity And Irritation If you have sensitive teeth, you may suffer some irritation during the whitening process.
The gel will most likely produce a slight tingling sensation in the teeth and gums.
Your dentist will be careful to protect your gums and other tissue from the gel.
But for folks with extra sensitive teeth, there could be some discomfort.
If it hurts at all, tell the dentist.
They will use a gel with lower concentration and may recommend waiting to do your teeth whitening.
Some folks experience sensitivity and irritation after the teeth whitening is finished.
While you're starting to see the results of your whitening, you're also finding a heightened sensitivity to certain hot and cold foods or drinks.
This is a common side effect and occurs in a high percentage of people who have had whitenings.
It goes away after a few weeks, when the teeth have had a chance to fully recover from the bleaching agent.
Pain In The Teeth Or Gums Sometimes, there will be pain after the procedure in a certain tooth.
This is caused by the bleaching agent coming into contact with the nerves in the tooth.
It can be a little painful, but it's nothing to worry about.
Your tooth's nerve will naturally grow back in a few days and the pain will go away.
If the pain persists or worsens, it may be something else and you should talk to your dentist.
You may also experience gum irritation.
This can be caused by the teeth whitening tray not fitting snugly enough in the mouth.
If you have it done in a dental clinic, this is rare.
It usually happens with do-it-yourself kits where the tray is not custom molded to your mouth.
If the gel is leaking and causing pain in your gums or another part of your mouth, you should quit using it for awhile, and start again when you feel alright.
This irritation is most common with trays that are worn overnight.
Over-Whiten And Your Teeth Will Turn Brown! This may sound strange, but using too much teeth whitening gel can actually turn your teeth brown or yellow.
This is because the gel is highly abrasive.
The acids in the bleach eat away the stains, but if you use too much gel, it could end up eating away at your enamel.
The way to be safe is to use a minimal amount of gel.
If you have it professionally done, your dentist will be able to monitor the bleaching process and use a lower concentration if necessary.
If you're doing it at home, follow product directions carefully and don't overbleach.
Be sure you understand teeth whitening side effects before you start your treatment.
All of these problems are minimal and easy to fix.
Once the irritation dies down, you can enjoy your white, healthy smile for many days to come.
There are lots of success stories, but just like anything else, there are teeth whitening side effects.
Whitening side effects are all mild.
There could be some pain or irritation in the teeth or another part of the mouth.
In each case, it is caused by the bleaching agent.
The dosage may be too high, or it may trigger sensitivity in the teeth.
Let's look at the possible side effects of teeth whitening.
Sensitivity And Irritation If you have sensitive teeth, you may suffer some irritation during the whitening process.
The gel will most likely produce a slight tingling sensation in the teeth and gums.
Your dentist will be careful to protect your gums and other tissue from the gel.
But for folks with extra sensitive teeth, there could be some discomfort.
If it hurts at all, tell the dentist.
They will use a gel with lower concentration and may recommend waiting to do your teeth whitening.
Some folks experience sensitivity and irritation after the teeth whitening is finished.
While you're starting to see the results of your whitening, you're also finding a heightened sensitivity to certain hot and cold foods or drinks.
This is a common side effect and occurs in a high percentage of people who have had whitenings.
It goes away after a few weeks, when the teeth have had a chance to fully recover from the bleaching agent.
Pain In The Teeth Or Gums Sometimes, there will be pain after the procedure in a certain tooth.
This is caused by the bleaching agent coming into contact with the nerves in the tooth.
It can be a little painful, but it's nothing to worry about.
Your tooth's nerve will naturally grow back in a few days and the pain will go away.
If the pain persists or worsens, it may be something else and you should talk to your dentist.
You may also experience gum irritation.
This can be caused by the teeth whitening tray not fitting snugly enough in the mouth.
If you have it done in a dental clinic, this is rare.
It usually happens with do-it-yourself kits where the tray is not custom molded to your mouth.
If the gel is leaking and causing pain in your gums or another part of your mouth, you should quit using it for awhile, and start again when you feel alright.
This irritation is most common with trays that are worn overnight.
Over-Whiten And Your Teeth Will Turn Brown! This may sound strange, but using too much teeth whitening gel can actually turn your teeth brown or yellow.
This is because the gel is highly abrasive.
The acids in the bleach eat away the stains, but if you use too much gel, it could end up eating away at your enamel.
The way to be safe is to use a minimal amount of gel.
If you have it professionally done, your dentist will be able to monitor the bleaching process and use a lower concentration if necessary.
If you're doing it at home, follow product directions carefully and don't overbleach.
Be sure you understand teeth whitening side effects before you start your treatment.
All of these problems are minimal and easy to fix.
Once the irritation dies down, you can enjoy your white, healthy smile for many days to come.
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