Does teeth whitening hurt? Everything to know before your first ever appointment 🦷
From whitening strips to charcoal toothpaste and even lip glosses, there are seemingly endless products on the high street promising a whiter smile. I should know, I’ve tried many of them.
“Tooth whitening is a dental treatment which can permanently alter the structure of your teeth,” says cosmetic dentist and facial aesthetician Dr Krystyna Wilczynski. “It should only be undertaken following a proper assessment by a registered dentist and on their prescription. So, considering teeth whitening? Here’s what you need to know about how the treatment works, the results, and if you can expect it to hurt.
With trays, you apply a small amount of whitening gel to each tooth section and wear them for a set amount of time each day or, in my case, overnight. This will vary depending on the formula you’re prescribed, but your dentist will explain the instructions to you. Personally I didn’t find the pain to be too bad , at worst a dull ache. However, as with regular sensitivity, it’s worse when you eat or drink, especially anything hot or cold .
Once this is done, you’re sent home with your moulds and gel to use every day for the next 2-3 weeks. During that time you can’t eat or drink anything that could stain your teeth, so red wine, ketchup, the creamy delights of Heinz tomato soup are all a no-go.