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.
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FAQs
How will my teeth' color change shortly after teeth whitening? Your teeth color may lose some of their light shade the week following the procedure. Sometimes, part of the color change is due to dehydration.
What to expect after a teeth whitening procedure? ›
After a professional whitening session, you might feel a slight sensitivity. This is a temporary and common side effect, which is nothing to worry about. It usually disappears within two to three days. Contact our office if you continue to experience sensitivity.
How long does it take for teeth to settle after whitening? ›
teeth whitening may include temporary tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or mild discomfort during the procedure. These effects are usually temporary and resolve on their own within a few days.
How long will my teeth hurt after teeth 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 to see results from teeth whitening? ›
Teeth should appear whiter in about 10-14 days if used as directed. Using a dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste can work to brighten your smile, but the results may be less noticeable and it can take some time – usually about two to six weeks – if used twice a day.
How long do teeth pores stay open after whitening? ›
The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.
How do I close the pores on my teeth after whitening? ›
By gently coating your teeth with a product like MI Paste or Colgate's Pro-Argin Toothpaste, you will plug up open pores on your teeth and reduce sensitivity. Additionally, the remineralizing effects of these pastes help to improve whitening.
What shouldn't you do after teeth whitening? ›
The following are some ways you can optimize your investment and get the most out of the in-office teeth whitening treatment.
- Avoid drinking colored beverages. ...
- Don't eat dark colored food. ...
- Avoid acidic food. ...
- Brush your teeth regularly. ...
- Cut out tobacco use. ...
- 7 Causes of Bleeding Gums. ...
- 7 Causes of Bleeding Gums.
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 long does it take teeth to rehydrate after whitening? ›
The whitening gel raises your tooth's internal temperature, releasing its moisture and potentially leading to dehydration of the tooth. The teeth rehydrate themselves within a few days, but there are things you can do to improve the process.
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.
What are zingers after teeth whitening? ›
Generally for most patients, this sensitivity will be in the form of sensitivity to hot or cold, but for some patients this could also be in the form what is commonly called “Zingers”. What are “Zingers” and how can I reduce it? Zingers are sudden quick pains that can occur in the teeth after Zoom teeth whitening.
How long will my gums stay white after teeth whitening? ›
Soft tissue or gum irritation caused by teeth whitening gel is considered a chemical burn, very comparable to a sunburn. When a chemical burn occurs, the area becomes mildly sore, turns white, and will eventually flake off. The tissue will return to normalcy within twenty-four hours.
Do your teeth get more yellow after whitening? ›
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
Do teeth stain more easily after whitening? ›
After the treatment, it is natural for teeth' color to regress somewhat over time. This is normal and should be gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, colas, citrus drinks, fruits, etc.
How many shades lighter after teeth whitening? ›
Most patients have an average result of 7-8 shades lighter when using Zoom® Whitening. The average whitening potency of Opalescence® Boost instead, is approximately four shades lighter.
What is the recovery time for teeth whitening? ›
For most patients, sensitivity lasts one to three days. In the meantime, consider using ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lessen the sensation. After the 48 hours, you can resume mouthwash usage. Our dentists will also provide some at-home whitening trays.
Do you brush your teeth after teeth whitening? ›
Brushing quickly after whitening can help remove any residual gel or substance from your teeth, keeping it from remaining on the enamel and potentially causing irritation or damage. Brushing after whitening can also help eliminate any tiny stains or discolorations that were lifted during the whitening process.
