Yellowing or dark stains on your teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. If you suffer from dental discoloration, you can meet with your cosmetic dentist to find a targeted treatment to whiten your tooth color. Though you might look forward to whitening your teeth, you may also worry that the treatment could make your teeth hurt.
Fortunately, modern dental solutions prioritize patient comfort, so you can look forward to pain-free teeth whitening at your dentist’s office. The dentist can explain more about what you can expect from this treatment when you schedule a cosmetic dental consultation. But you can also read on to learn more about teeth whitening treatment from your dentist and why this process will not cause you pain.
Is the Professional Teeth Whitening Process Painful?
Your dentist offers two types of teeth whitening: one performed in the dentist’s office and one involving a take-home kit. Both options feature non-invasive techniques that ensure that you do not experience pain or discomfort during the process.
In-office teeth whitening involves the dentist cleaning the teeth and then applying bleaching gel to them. They use a laser to activate the bleaching agents that will lift stains to the teeth’s surface where the dentist can easily wash them away.
The dentist chooses professional-grade ingredients that will not hurt your teeth during the process. The skilled application of the gel to the teeth also ensures you receive a beautiful, even finish in a safe manner. They also use a protective barrier so that your gums do not experience irritation from the product.
Take-home whitening kits feature custom-made trays built from impressions of your unique smile. Then you fill the trays with bleaching gel and wear them as directed to gradually brighten your tooth color. The personalized fit of the trays minimizes the risk of gum irritation and other discomforts.
Will Teeth Feel Sensitive After Whitening Treatment?
Some people may fear that bleaching agents from teeth whitening treatment will damage the tooth enamel in some way. If the enamel weakens, it could expose nerves within the tooth’s interior. When an external stimulant, like food, touches an exposed nerve in the tooth, you can feel a sharp jolt of pain known as tooth sensitivity.
Your dentist purposely uses safe products in their teeth whitening treatment to minimize the risk of tooth sensitivity as a side effect of the dental work. Supervision of this process from a dental professional can keep your teeth pain-free.
You cannot see this same prioritization of your comfort from a store-bought teeth whitening kit at your local shop. These one-size-fits-all products might feature ill-fitting trays that could hurt your teeth or gums. And you will not see individualized care to guarantee optimal results from smile enhancement.
For this reason, you should talk to your dentist about brightening your smile rather than look for an over-the-counter product. They can also suggest alternative cosmetic dental work that might suit your aesthetic goals better.