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 (hydrogen peroxide solution) to remove surface stains. These stains are usually caused by exposure to coffee, tea, nicotine, or other agents like food colorants which will discolor the teeth. The whitening agent is applied in the dental office by the dentist. It is stronger than whiteners available over the counter that can be bought from shops or ordered online. 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 apparent as your teeth are restored to their natural whiteness. Whitening treatment is long-lasting but you’ll probably want to return over time 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 to hot and cold drinks. 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 deciding on a whitening treatment. You might want to forego the procedure or use a product specifically designed for 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 soft tissues in the mouth. Both increased sensitivity and irritation of the oral tissues are temporary side effects. Although home kits for teeth whitening can be purchased over the counter, we do not recommend them.
Call our office at (214) 821-8639 and set up your next teeth whitening appointment.
Please be advised that teeth whitening is a procedure for adults over the age of 18 and is not suitable for children or teenagers.
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