Advice on Teeth Whitening Discussion Thread

JennyW_2

I'm midway through my whitening programming and my teeth are feeling a bit sensitive. Also I get the odd "electric shock" - no particular tooth. Just wanted to know if this is normal and I'm not doing any harm?

Shall I have a couple of days rest over the weekend and resume Monday?

Cissi

Hi Jenny,

I haven't started my treatment yet, partly for this reason - I've been warned that this is a side effect, and since I have sensitive teeth anyway (slightly receding gums) I'm a bit nervous about it. The dentist assured me it doesn't do any harm to the teeth though, so as long as it isn't too uncomfortable, I wouldn't worry.

He did mention a de-sensitising gel that I could use, maybe it's worth asking your dentist about this?

As for taking a break, as I understand it the effect is cumulative, whether you do it every day or even once a week (although that would obviously take a long time). So surely a break over the weekend would be fine!

Good luck!

JennyW_2

Hi Cissi. Thanks for that. My dentist told me to use Sensodyne Pronamel whilst doing the treatment.

My teeth arent too bad it's just that I'm not a sufferer with sensitive teeth so it's a bit more obvious for me.

As for you, I think you should have a go, you may only have the odd bit here and there and as you've said, a break wont do any harm - I'm going to have the weekend off to be honest I'm a little fed up with accommodating 2 periods of 45 minutes during my day to put my trays in - it's a bit of a nuisance and I've only been doing it a week and a half. I already have seen a difference to my top teeth (as I did these for a week before starting the bottom ones).

Good Luck

Does anyone know what the electric shock feelings I get are and what causes it?

Valley's_girl

Hi maybe toothsmith the dentist will be around later and can maybe answer some of your questions.
Ally xx

angel

What strength are you using and how long for each time?

I used 15% and did just under two hours every other day for about two weeks. I did get some flashes but not too many. When you have the break try not to eat or drink anything that stains.

Actually I might go and have a couple of hours top-up now, it's been a while!

JennyW_2

angel wrote: »

What strength are you using and how long for each time?

I used 15% and did just under two hours every other day for about two weeks. I did get some flashes but not too many. When you have the break try not to eat or drink anything that stains.

Actually I might go and have a couple of hours top-up now, it's been a while!

by flashes, do you mean like sharp quick pains?

I'm doing 45 mins twice a day and the strength is 7.5%.

angel

Yes, the sharp pains. 7.5% isn't very strong either, I once used 35% but could only take 20 minutes! Maybe you could do it once a day? And don't overfill the trays. That's about all that I can think of as I'm no expert.

I asked the strength so that the dentists would know when one of them drops by. Good Luck with it!

fabwitch_2

I did 6 hours a day only had two days of sensitivity. My Dentist rcommended filling the teeth molds with sensidyne toothpate and leave in my mouth for an hour. Thid did the trick.

JennyW_2

fabwitch wrote: »

I did 6 hours a day only had two days of sensitivity. My Dentist rcommended filling the teeth molds with sensidyne toothpate and leave in my mouth for an hour. Thid did the trick.

Yes I did this last night which seems to have helped (so far....). I'm going to have a couple of days rest and resume again Monday

Does anyone know what causes the sharp pain? Is it penetrating the tooth to effect the nerves?

donteatthat

I'm a dentist happy to fill in while toothsmith isn't here!

The strengths depend on whether you are using carbamide peroxide(CP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP)

CP breaks down slowly to HP over a number of hours. Typically 15%CP liberates @ 3%HP (or something like that can't remember the exact figure off-hand). HP breaks down quickly ie) 1 hour and typical strengths are @9%.
CP is usually used in custom fitted trays over night, and HP in disposable ones.

So if JennyW is using 9% over 45 mins she may actually be using HP and it may be too strong for her.

Jenny - are the trays disposable? Or do you have fitted trays? Do you have cracks in the enamel of your teeth? Are you aware if you clench or grind your teeth at night? Have you got receeding gums? Have you had any knocks or trauma to your teeth in the past?

Sensitivity is usually short lived with tooth whitening but the advice I give my patients is:
1.Home whitening with CP at 10%-15% in fitted trays, I don't usually bother with the disposable ones, although I have tried them and they do work, but I think only useful for top-ups
2. If they are getting sensitivity do alternate nights of whitening and using Colgate GelKam toothpaste in the trays.
3. If the sensitivity is extreme go back to the surgery.
4. Proceed with caution in patients who are tooth grinders - they often have the most sensitivity.

I'll be along later to see how you're getting on.

HTH,

donteatthat