Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Whiten Them?

By Amber-Lee, IRDH16 Years Experience

~35 sec watchVideo FAQ

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Quick Answer

Your teeth have tiny tubes running toward the nerve. Whitening gel opens them up, so cold water or a toothbrush can reach the nerve more easily and cause a sharp zing. This is common and temporary, and it usually goes away within a couple of weeks. If it lasts, a sensitivity toothpaste left on your teeth without rinsing can help.

More about professional teeth whitening in Riverview.

Answered by the team at Bright White Dental Hygiene Clinic in Riverview, NB, serving Moncton and Dieppe.

Key Takeaways

1Bleach leaves tiny tubes open, and those tubes lead to the nerve.
2It usually goes away within a couple of weeks.
3Spit out sensitivity toothpaste, then do not rinse for half an hour.

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Video Transcript: Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Whiten Them?

Full transcript of the video answer on why your teeth hurt when you whiten them, given by Amber-Lee, IRDH, at Bright White Dental Hygiene Clinic in Riverview, NB, serving Moncton and Dieppe.

Question: Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Whiten Them?

“When you whiten your teeth, a lot of times you'll have sensitivity after. This is because the bleach goes in, and in our teeth we have hundreds of little holes, and these little holes open up. When it does that, it leaves those tubes open, and those tubes have a direct link to the nerve. So when water touches it or you touch it with your toothbrush, it can be sensitive. Usually within a couple of weeks, this goes away. If it doesn't, you can try using a sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne or PreviDent 5000. Just make sure that when you're brushing, you're just spitting after and leaving it, and not rinsing for half an hour.”

What Is Happening Inside the Tooth

Under the enamel is dentin, a layer full of tiny tubes that run toward the nerve. Whitening gel travels through the tooth to reach stain, and it leaves those tubes more open for a while. Cold, air or touch then reaches the nerve more easily. That is the sharp zing people describe. It is a known side effect, and it does not mean your enamel has been damaged.

What Helps

Use a sensitivity toothpaste twice a day. These work best with time on the tooth, so brush, spit, and leave it there for half an hour. Amber-Lee names Sensodyne and PreviDent 5000 in the video. PreviDent is a stronger fluoride paste, so ask which one suits you.

For the first day or two, go easy on ice water and very cold food. If you are using take-home trays, take a night or two off and start again when your teeth feel better.

Who Should Check First

Whitening gel on an open cavity, a cracked tooth or exposed roots can really hurt. If your teeth are already sensitive, have them checked before you whiten. Store-bought strips are the same: if one tooth hurts much more than the rest, stop and have it looked at.

When to Book

Call if the pain lasts longer than a couple of weeks, keeps you up at night, or comes from one tooth. Whitening sensitivity fades. Pain that stays has a different cause, and a cavity or crack needs a dentist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions people search right after this one.

Often only a few days, and usually gone within a couple of weeks. If it is still there after that, have your teeth checked.

A sensitivity toothpaste, left on without rinsing for half an hour, helps most. Avoid very cold drinks for a day or two, and take a short break from whitening if you are using trays.

Often yes, but have them checked first. Bright White uses a gel designed to reduce sensitivity, and your hygienist can tell you which option will be more comfortable for you.

Short video answers from Amber-Lee, IRDH — 16 years experience.