Why Does Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening Differ from Person to Person?

Tooth sensitivity after whitening,

why does it differ from person to person?

Hello.

I’m Kim Moo-jin, chief director of D-Day Dental Clinic.

Right after coming out of whitening,

even a sip of warm water

made your teeth sensitive?

Even when nothing cold touches them,

if they tingle just from the wind brushing by,

it can be really surprising.

Many people feel uneasy for days,

wondering, “Did something go wrong?”

If you read this article to the end,

you’ll be able to tell whether that sensitivity

is a natural reaction

or a warning sign.

Tooth sensitivity after whitening, why does it differ from person to person?

<Contents>

The mechanism behind sensitivity after whitening / Characteristics of people who experience stronger sensitivity

― 1. The mechanism behind sensitivity after whitening

Whitening agents (mainly hydrogen peroxide or

carbamide peroxide)

penetrate the tooth surface and break down internal pigments.

During this process, the whitening agent

temporarily exposes the dentinal tubules

(tiny channels within the dentin).

The dentinal tubules are

connected to the tooth nerve,

so external stimuli (cold, sweetness, acidity)

are transmitted more directly

to the nerve than usual.

It is similar to skin that has been exposed to sunlight for a long time

and stings from even a light breeze for a few days.

This kind of sensitivity is

usually strongest within 24 to 72 hours,

and naturally subsides within a week.

Tooth sensitivity after whitening, why does it differ from person to person?

― 2. Characteristics of people who experience stronger sensitivity

Even when the same whitening agent is used,

the degree of sensitivity

differs from person to person.

First, people whose gums have receded

and whose tooth roots are exposed

tend to experience stronger sensitivity.

That is because roots do not have enamel

and are therefore

more sensitive to external stimuli.

Teeth with tiny cracks

or early-stage cavities

also react sensitively to stimulation.

People who already had sensitive teeth,

those whose gums bleed

when brushing,

and those who often consume acidic foods or carbonated drinks

are also in a high-risk group for sensitivity.

That is why, before whitening,

gum and cavity checks

and confirmation of areas that were already sensitive

are recommended.

If needed, using products with sensitivity-relief ingredients

(toothpaste containing fluoride or potassium nitrate)

in advance can help make sensitivity much milder.

Sensitivity after whitening is common,

but it is not the same intensity

for everyone.

If you start while knowing the condition of your gums and teeth,

your satisfaction after the procedure can

differ greatly as well.

A treatment that does not hurt,

and one that makes sense.

Thank you for reading this long post.

Sincerely,

Kim Moo-jin, Chief Director, D-Day Dental Clinic.

Tooth sensitivity after whitening, why does it differ from person to person?