What Are The Side Effects Of Teeth Whitening?

If you’re unhappy with stains on your teeth or the gradual discolouration that comes from age then professional teeth whitening could be the solution that you’ve been looking for. We carry out teeth whitening in Clacton using the Zoom whitening gel which can make your teeth several shades whiter in just one single visit lasting an hour. Although you can expect some temporary side effects with all whitening treatments, the majority of patients feel that the results are well worth it. For those in the Clacton area who are looking to brighten their smile easily and effectively, just take a minute to familiarise yourself with what to expect immediately after the procedure.

Side effects following teeth whitening

Generally speaking a single teeth whitening treatment carries very little risk and only a few minor side effects. That said, there are a still a few temporary effects that patients may experience soon after having their teeth whitened. These are due to the main ingredient used in the whitening agent, namely hydrogen peroxide, which can cause irritation when it comes into contact with the teeth and gums. So let’s take a closer look:

• Tooth sensitivity – Practically all our patients experience some form of sensitivity following teeth whitening. This can range from a mild feeling of discomfort when teeth are exposed to hot and cold foods to intermittent shooting pains. Usually these symptoms are only slight and disappear altogether after a couple of days. If your teeth are already sensitive and you’re considering teeth whitening in Clacton then you might be best to take a painkiller such as Ibuprofen before and after treatment.

• Irritated gums – Hydrogen peroxide which causes sensitivity in teeth can also cause irritation if it comes into contact with the gum tissue. When this happens the area of the gum feels sore and looks a little discoloured, but by the end of the day your gums should be back to normal. We place a shield over patient’s lips and gums before we apply the whitening gel and this helps reduce the chance of any gel leaking onto the gums or lips and causing damage.

Fortunately occasional teeth whitening carries no real risk to a person’s health but in the case of people who whiten their teeth regularly within a short time span, over-whitening can cause problems. They may find that the enamel on their teeth starts to wear away exposing sensitive inner tissue. As a result this can lead to discolouration, permanent sensitivity and weakened teeth. Furthermore patients may then require dental crowns or porcelain veneers to cover the damage and protect the surface of their teeth. If you’ve recently had your teeth whitened and are considering further treatment then you really should run this by your dentist in Clacton first.

If you’d like to find out more about Zoom teeth whitening then please get in touch with Clacton Dental Care by calling 01255 221001 or visit our website at www.clactondentalcare.co.uk for more information. We offer both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry in Clacton and have a highly skilled and friendly dental team.