Zoom Teeth Whitening - in pain!

thehappybutterfly

My sister had her teeth whitened at the dentist with the light and gel and she also was in agony. I opted for the trays and gel DIY (all set up and purchased from my dentist) - it takes longer but like another poster said, you're in control. I too have one particularly sensitive tooth and the gum is receding a little. I just take a couple of painkillers before I pop the trays in overnight and this solves the problem. I buy my top-up gels from my dentist. It's tempting to get them on t'internet as it's much cheaper but it's too risky IMO.

Has the pain gone away OP?

moneylover

well, this has thoroughly put me off. Have heard it said that there is less sensitivity with Enlighten but presumably its only a matter of degree.
So, dentists, can you briefly say what tests you apply as to whether a patient is suitable for trays or not? Is it a case of if the gum is receding a bit and you have a sensitive tooth then the answer is no? Shame becuase its older people who need it doing the most and they are most likely to have a sensitive tooth or too or a bit of receding gum. Surely ordinary pain killers dont take away the sort of zingy pain you get frm a sensitive tooth. Also not sure I would want to take pain killers every night for weeks whilst the teeth were being whitened.

brook2jack

You need a full dental check up and full medical history. There are hundreds of reasons why someone might not be suitable for whitening from a medical condition, medications taken, recent medical treatments of certain types, to the health of teeth and gums , to the position and number of crowns, bridges, fillings .

Investigations vary from x rays to measurement of pocket depth (gum health), checking for cracked,damaged teeth, prescence of active disease etc etc. In other words a full dental check up.

It is true many older people are not straight forward candidates for whitening but all people need a thorough assessment first and need to have a good oral hygiene routine including flossing .

moneylover

this is v useful thank you very much. I have printed out as am going to dentist tomorrow for a checkup and will ask. At our practice there are different dentists all the time they seem to come for a year or two and move on and have never built up much faith with such lack of continuity.

I am 65 and have all teeth, no crowns, very few fillings. But one very sensitive tooth which means that for years I have only eaten one side! Seems sensitive teeth are the one thing that dont really get sorted out these days and more of a nuisance as get older.

Am going to have another chat about this tomorrow but dont really want the tooth out. The right toothpaste helps somewhat.