Can You Get Teeth Whitening on Sensitive Teeth?

Even though keeping your teeth clean is vital to your dental health, brushing, flossing, rinsing, and regular checkups don’t guarantee they will remain as white as you want. Certain factors affect color, such as aging, genetics, dental conditions, and natural tooth color, which is why teeth whitening is so popular. While there are plenty of home and office options to see brighter teeth, some dental issues may make getting one a problem.

Teeth sensitivity is one of several symptoms people can develop from dental problems, but is it enough of an issue that you should avoid treatments like teeth whitening? Read more to discover the answers by examining the causes of sensitive teeth, how teeth whitening can affect them, and what will help.

Residents of the Brea and Banning California, area who want whiter teeth but struggle with dental problems can find help with Dr. Ayed Hawatmeh and his dedicated staff at Bravo Dental Group.

Common causes of sensitive teeth

The term sensitive teeth describes the sensation of pain that comes from exposing your teeth to food or drink that is hot, cold, sweet, and sour and can even stem from extreme temperature changes in the air. The condition is the result of exposure to your dentin (the layer beneath your enamel that helps determine tooth color), which can result from several issues, including:

• Dental problems: cracked teeth, cavities, and gum disease
• Hard brushing: pushing too hard on teeth when brushing 
• Bruxism: grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel 
• Plaque: this substance damages teeth and leads to sensitivity problems on the root surface
• Acidic foods: having lots of citrus, tea, pickles, and tomatoes erodes enamel
• Teeth whiteners: ironically, this is a common cause of sensitive teeth

Risks of getting teeth whitened if you have sensitive teeth

Before whitening your teeth, treat any underlying dental issues that cause sensitivity to ensure the situation does not worsen. Cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues that can damage the enamel need treatment first. The problem may be regular whitening, which can damage teeth if not done correctly. The process is safe, but any pre-existing dental problems should be cared for before moving forward. 

How we can help

While you can expect some temporary sensitivity from the treatment, the main risk from whitening is the ingredients. Professional whitening trays can use higher concentrations of substances, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. It takes control to bleach your teeth; at our practice, we know how much is safe to use and how long to keep it on your teeth.

Our process is a tried and true method of getting safe results to ensure healthy, whiter teeth without risking your dental health. We can safely perform this service to help you keep your teeth looking good and provide regular cleanings to keep them strong.

We can whiten sensitive teeth and address any underlying conditions that affect them. Let us give you whiter teeth and help you keep them healthy for as long as possible. Call the office or use our online booking feature to make an appointment with Dr. Hawatmeh and Bravo Dental Group today.