Your Sensitive Side
Sensitivity in your teeth can occur for various reasons and present in a few different ways. Your sensitivity could be the result of a whitening treatment but could also result from recent dental treatment, thin enamel, or an underlying dental condition.
When it comes to whitening, teeth sensitivity may occur in some patients during and after select treatments that contain peroxide-based whitening agents. This will vary based on the product used, formulation, dosage, concentration, and your individual health history. If you're worried about possible sensitivity, speak with your dental professional or choose whitening products that advertise no sensitivity.
How will you know if you’re having a sensitivity issue? Well, you may experience short pain with the following:
- Air
- Cold foods or beverages
- Consuming sweet, sour, or acidic items
- Brushing your teeth
In cases when sensitivity occurs, it typically results from whitening treatment removing microscopic amounts of mineral from your enamel. This exposes the dentinal tubules in the second layer of your teeth, also known as dentin. This temporary dentin hypersensitivity will decrease as the minerals in your enamel are restored.