How to reduce teeth sensitivity after whitening

Why do teeth feel sensitive after whitening?

The ADA's MouthHealthy page says peroxide in the whitener can pass through the enamel to the dentin and irritate the tooth's nerve. Cleveland Clinic says temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation is very common after starting a whitening product, is not a sign of long-term damage but can be uncomfortable. Healthline says strips are known to cause increased tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, usually mild, and that the risk rises with higher peroxide concentration and longer contact time.

How long does sensitivity last?

Cleveland Clinic quotes a dentist saying sensitivity and gum irritation usually resolve pretty quickly, and gives no timeframe. The ADA says it is temporary in most cases and gives no timeframe. Healthline says sensitivity typically starts during treatment and lasts several days, and gum irritation may begin within a day and also last several days. The sources agree it is temporary but give no firm figure.

How do you reduce sensitivity after whitening?

Cleveland Clinic's advice is to take a break from bleaching, switch to a milder whitening product, follow the product's instructions on how often and how long to use it and not overdo it, and ask your dentist which products suit your teeth. The ADA says to pause whitening for a while and resume once the sensitivity fades, and warns that overuse of whiteners can damage the enamel or gums. It says to follow directions closely and talk to your dentist.

Does desensitizing toothpaste help?

None of the sources we read mentions desensitizing toothpaste for sensitivity after whitening; Cleveland Clinic's page does not mention it, and the ADA page does not either. Dentists often recommend it, which is general knowledge and flagged. Ask your dentist or pharmacist, and see our guide on why teeth are suddenly sensitive for other causes.

Should you stop whitening?

Pausing is the advice from the ADA and Cleveland Clinic. The ADA does not say to stop entirely. If sensitivity comes back each time you whiten, that is a reason to talk to your dentist about a gentler product or a different method, such as a dentist-supervised kit, which the NHS says is an option and that sensitivity to cold or sweet food, sore gums and white patches on the gums are possible side effects.

What helps while you wait?

The sources we read give no home remedies. Avoiding very hot, cold or sweet food and drink, and brushing gently with a soft brush, are general steps and flagged. Our guide on how to get rid of tooth pain explains when to see a dentist.

Can whitening damage your teeth?

Cleveland Clinic says sensitivity is not a sign of long-term damage. Healthline says high hydrogen peroxide concentrations may damage enamel, citing studies of damage from a strong carbamide peroxide product. The ADA warns that overuse can damage enamel or gums. Cleveland Clinic also says to address gum disease or cavities before whitening, since bleaching will not fix them.

How can you avoid sensitivity next time?

Cleveland Clinic says to follow the product's instructions on how often and how long to use it and not to overdo it, and Healthline says the risk rises with higher peroxide concentration and longer contact time. That points to not leaving strips on longer than the box says and not using them more often. The NHS says whitening is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and that kits from pharmacies or online and treatments at beauty salons work less well and may harm the teeth and gums. A dentist can check for cavities or gum disease first, as Cleveland Clinic advises, and choose a product that suits your teeth. Our guide on how long it takes for whitening strips to work covers the usual routine.

Is gum irritation different from tooth sensitivity?

Yes, and the sources treat them separately. Healthline says gum irritation may begin within a day and usually lasts several days, while sensitivity typically starts during treatment. The NHS lists sore gums and white patches on the gums among the side effects of dentist-supervised whitening, which should fade, and says to talk to your dentist about any that bother you. A strip or tray that slips onto the gum is a common cause, which is general reasoning and flagged. The sources we read do not explain why gums turn white after whitening, so we do not.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your check-up.

• Why are my teeth so sensitive after whitening?
• Is there a milder product or method for me?
• Do I have a cavity or gum problem that needs treatment first?
• How long should I wait before whitening again?
• Should I use a desensitizing toothpaste?

Frequently asked questions