I was so excited to get my teeth whitened with Zoom and I am regretting it today. No one told me my teeth would hurt! I don’t feel like eating or drinking and it even hurts to breathe in normally. Does this sound normal? If it is, why on earth didn’t my dentist warn me? Please make it stop! If I don’t hear back soon I may be off to the ER. I know you are probably thinking I’m over-exaggerating but OMG they hurt!
– Kendell in Michigan
Kendell,
Do you normally have sensitivity? From what you have described you sound like someone that probably has very sensitive teeth. The good news is, this should be temporary.
You may not realize it, but your teeth are actually made of very minute pores or what are called tubules. When you undergo Zoom whitening, these small “pores” are opened up and that is how your teeth are whitened. The whitening treatment by your dentist enables the area below the surface to be whitened. Really with any type of teeth whitening there is a possibility of sensitivity afterwards. These tubules remain open for a short time which means anything you eat or drink after may reach the inside of your tooth for a couple days. The inside of your tooth is where all the nerve endings are, so that is why you are experiencing this.
Sensitivity varies between individuals but you really shouldn’t be in pain. There is a possibility that something else is going on if you are in so much pain that you want want to go to the ER. Definitely give you r dentist a call since he or she is most familiar with your specific case. If the pain doesn’t subside after a few days, you may need to get in for an emergency dentist appointment just to be checked out.
Ibuprofen should help manage the discomfort for the time being. Both breathing through your nose should help and using a straw will probably minimize the sensitivity. Sometimes patients have success with fluoride rinses or paste after whitening with Zoom. But typically that is recommended prior to the whitening treatment.
If the pain intensifies, throbs, or keeps you up during the night, you need to get into the dentist as soon as possible. You may require further treatment.
This post is sponsored by Evanston dentist Winning Smile Dental Group.
