Teeth whitening is a popular, safe, and effective treatment for tooth discoloration. Most people do not experience side effects from whitening treatment, but some notice increased sensitivity or irritation of the soft tissues in the mouth. These side effects are usually temporary.
Teeth Whitening Treatment & How It Works
Teeth whitening uses a strong bleaching agent to remove surface stains. These stains are usually caused by exposure to coffee, tea, nicotine, or other agents that commonly discolor the teeth. The whitening agent is applied in the dental office by our dentist. It is stronger than whiteners available over the counter. Typically, the whitening procedure lasts about an hour. The whitener is applied and left on for about twenty minutes, then removed and reapplied.
After your whitening treatment, you’ll be able to see results right away. Over the next few days, these results will become more obvious as your teeth are restored to their natural whiteness. Whitening treatment is long-lasting, but you’ll probably want to return every few months for a touch-up treatment.
What Can I Expect After Teeth Whitening?
In most cases, there are no noticeable side effects after teeth whitening. Sometimes, however, your teeth can become more sensitive than normal. This is more common if you have your teeth whitened frequently. If your teeth are sensitive to begin with, you should talk to our dentist before you decide on a whitening treatment. You might want to forego whitening or use a product specifically designed for more sensitive teeth.
The soft tissues of the mouth can also become irritated after whitening. With in-office whitening, the gums, lips and tongue are protected with plastic appliances and a special protective gel. If the whitening agent contacts your gums, though, it can cause irritation. Over-the-counter whiteners are more likely to cause irritation because of the lack of protection for the soft tissues. Both increased sensitivity and irritation of the soft oral tissues are temporary side effects.
Call our office at (214) 821-8639 and set up your next teeth whitening appointment.
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