A lot of people who try home teeth whitening for the first time are not sure what to expect. At SportingSmiles, we often find that new customers are concerned when they experience some tooth sensitivity or gum pain after teeth whitening. It’s perfectly natural to have some teeth sensitivity or burning gums after teeth whitening. However, teeth whitening does not need to result in prolonged or severe discomfort. There are techniques and products that can help to reduce any sensitivity or pain after teeth whitening. Getting the perfect smile should not be a scary or unpleasant experience!
Teeth Whitening Techniques:
Custom-Fitted Trays
One of the easiest ways to prevent discomfort is by investing in custom-fit whitening trays. The main source of discomfort when teeth whitening is overflowing gel getting onto the gums. Custom whitening trays help to keep the whitening gel away from the gums. Since the trays are custom-fitted, less whitening gel is needed as well, meaning that you save money in the long run.
Quality Gel
The quality of the whitening gel that you use can have a major impact on your comfort. Gels made outside the USA may not be subject to the same regulations and therefore could contain chemicals that are harmful to the teeth and gums. Always buy quality gel that is made in the USA. There should be an MSDS sheet available for the whitening gel.
Correct Gel Amount
Custom-fitted trays are the most important factor in preventing gel overflow, but overfilling the tray, no matter how well it’s made, will always result in an overflow. Overfilling is the most common cause of sensitivity and spotted, burning gums. When using custom whitening gel you want to use around .5ml per tray. However, this will vary depending on mouth size, so a little bit of trial and error may be necessary to get it just right. A small bead should be applied to the lower front of the tray.
Custom fitted trays, like we offer at SportingSmiles, help to reduce the risk of gum sensitivity. In addition, it is essential that you follow the directions with any tooth whitening product. For instance, if you keep the whitening product on too long, you may experience additional tooth sensitivity.
Wipe Away Extra Gel
While testing out gel amounts to find the perfect fit for your mouth size, it is normal that you will get some gel on your gums. If any gel does get onto the gums, you want to wipe it away as quickly as possible. A Q-tip or tissue can be used.
Whitening Time
Another common cause of people experiencing discomfort or sensitivity after whitening is keeping the whitening trays in for too long. You only need to wear your trays for 10-15 mins. The gel loses its effectiveness after about 15 mins and any extra time will just increase your chance of getting gel onto your gums and causing a burning sensation.
Products
There are some products available that can help to relieve pain or discomfort after whitening. Remineralization (remin) gel will help to relieve any “zing” or burning sensation on the teeth and gums. After whitening, you should always rinse and dry the whitening trays. The remin gel can then be placed in the whitening tray and used in the same way as the whitening gel. If you are still experiencing discomfort, there are lower-percentage whitening gels available. It will take longer to reach your desired whiteness, but will not cause as much tooth sensitivity.
If you have any questions at all about the teeth whitening process, feel free to get in touch with our team at [email protected].
