Tooth Whitening And Sensitivity Article

	1888 Articles Home \| Health Articles	Health RSS
Tooth Whitening and Sensitivity

We all start out with pearly whites, but as we age, our teeth may start to become dull and discolored. Tooth whitening is a great solution to discolored teeth, but it may cause sensitivity.

Author: Sara Goldstein

Article Tools:

Many people feel very self conscious about their smile due to their discolored teeth. We all start out with pearly whites, but as we age, our teeth may start to become dull and discolored. There are certain things which can increase the amount of discoloration your teeth may have, such as:

• Tobacco use from smoking and chewing tobacco. This is typically the most common reason for stained teeth.
• Drinking coffee, tee, red wine and soda. Some fruit juices can also cause staining of teeth.
• Certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline can cause tooth discoloration.
• Amalgam or silver fillings can sometimes stain the surrounding tooth area.

Sensitivity After Whitening

Tooth whitening is becoming more and more popular as people find that they can have a bright smile they will be proud of. There are several options for tooth whitening, from over-the-counter products, to professional teeth whitening procedures. While these treatments are all typically pain free, some patients will suffer from tooth sensitivity following a whitening procedure.

Tooth sensitivity can develop due to the bleaching agents that are used in all tooth whitening products and procedures. These agents are caustic and can be irritating to the mouth. It is important for your dentist to use something called a dental dam in your mouth before the bleaching procedure. This is a safety precaution to ensure that the bleach only touches your teeth and doesn’t soak into the soft tissue in your mouth.

Even with these protective measures, you may still experience some sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages. This is called thermal sensitivity and it will typically go away within a few days of your procedure. If you experience severe pain or the pain lasts for more than a week, you should contact your dentist immediately.

Sensitivity Remedies

There are some remedies known to help tooth sensitivity. One remedy is for your dentist to place a fluoride application onto the sensitive teeth. This fluoride barrier can cut down on the amount of sensitivity you may have from the whitening procedure.

Another remedy is to use toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes contain a product called potassium nitrate, which when used over the course of several weeks will help reduce the sensitivity you may feel.

About Author

If you are considering a tooth whitening procedure, contact the office of Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta serving cosmetic dentistry patients in Reedley, Fresno and surrounding areas of California for a complimentary consultation.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-sara-goldstein-4751.html

Tooth Whitening and Sensitivity