Any dentists around? AIBU to think my teeth are wrecked?

[Carnayshun]

I had Enlighten teeth whitening (prescribed by the dentist) which made my teeth ache so I stopped using it. It’s been a month and my teeth still ache. Dentist reckons it’s impossible for the whitening to still be causing pain after this amount of time, any discomfort wears off after a couple of days and there’s never been a case of this product causing long term pain. They’re saying I must be causing the ongoing pain myself by grinding my teeth. Except I’m not. I’m starting to feel scared that I have permanent damage and the pain will never stop. Any advice?

Get a second opinion by seeing another dentist?

A homely remedy to try - I found using a little xylitol as a mouthwash improved sensitive teeth. You can find it sold as "Total sweet" e.g. at Tesco. Put a little in your mouth and your saliva will increase and swill it around/spit it out. I would spit it out as if you are sensitive to it then it can make your stomach off/windy. I don't think it can hurt to try it as it's just a sweetener sold to sweeten food/tea etc

I also recommend getting a second opinion (visiting a private dentist would probably be around £50) and getting some new x-rays done just for peace of mind. I have really severe dental anxiety and after some really poor visits didn't go for several years but have now found a private dentist (I'm willing to pay for peace of mind and NHS dentists are very limited too) who I have developed a great relationship with who I think would find a way to put my mind at rest if I came to her with this issue. If you don't feel your dentist is doing enough to find out the cause (is it possible you're grinding or clenching in your sleep?) Then I don't think they're the right dentist for you and would find another.

@Carnayshun

What toothpaste are you using ?

Just regular Colgate. I’ve also tried the desensitising toothpaste that came with the whitening kit but it hasn’t helped. So I figured ordinary toothpaste would be the least irritating.

Honestly I just feel like crap since I gave birth. I wanted to have my hair and nails done, buy some new clothes and makeup, get my eyebrows done and my teeth whitened, so I can actually look at myself in the mirror without crying. I paid hundreds of pounds to have the whitening done safely (or so they said) by an actual dentist. And I don’t feel better - I feel even worse because of the pain that won’t go away 😭

You have done the right thing by seeing a UK dentist

Tooth whitening can cause sensitivity side effects, I would purchase I good quality sensitive toothpaste, Sensodyne or Colgate

Apply by putting the toothpaste onto your finger and rubbing into your teeth and gums, one by one, when completed do not rinse

Mornings and evenings brush normally then do the above

You should notice a difference within 48 hours

Are you taking pain killers ?

forgot to mention, it's been a while since I've come across the enlighten system do they supply you with a whitening tray for home use ?

As part of the enlighten kit you should of been given a couple of 'huriseal' treatments, look like a cotton bud with liquid in them. Have you used them? Did they help?

Definitely get some pro-enamel toothpaste. There is also a product called tooth mousse which was recommended to me after whitening, it is pricey but I only used the one tube.

I done enlighten and it absolutely fuxking killed me. I persevered only because I paid £500. The pain took forever to go.

How long ago did you have your baby? Pregnancy can make teeth so weak and I guess that can make it worse

@Lucked

Definitely get some pro-enamel toothpaste. There is also a product called tooth mousse which was recommended to me after whitening, it is pricey but I only used the one tube.

This as mentioned by @Lucked

I was trying to remember it earlier it's made by a company called 'GC'

Sensodyne rapid relief is amazing, it's slightly more pricey but I used it after whitening
Put it on your finger or in the trays and wipe it on, don't rinse and use it to brush with as well

This one
https://www.savers.co.uk/Sensodyne/Sensodyne-Rapid-Relief-Toothpaste-75ML/p/736667?gclid=CjwKCAjwhuCKBhADEiwA1HegObvd9gAzAW9aTe0Uejc5Q0afUieeh9wGeYFh5Msv8TFg9iD1MJM8xoCr7gQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

@softplay999 how long did it take for the pain to go? I’m starting to worry because they told me 48 hours max but it’s been nearly a month.

@Darkrainbow yes I used the cotton buds that came with the kit. They haven’t helped unfortunately. I’m beginning to worry that there’s permanent damage because they’re insisting that the pain goes away within a couple of days of stopping the treatment, but my pain has persisted for a month.

Hmm, I must say I don't offer Enlighten because I do feel it's a bit aggressive but I am a qualified provider. I prefer to whiten a bit more gently.
Immediately I would amazon prime GC tooth mouse and put it in your trays overnight for several nights. I'd probably then get in touch either yourself or your dentist with enlighten for advice on next steps, I've met the owner several times and he's very helpful.

My whitening was agony and the pain lasted a week untill I took ibuprofen for a day and it didn't come back. I think my nerves were inflamed and need a bit of help to calm down. Could help until you see another dentist?

I've met the owner several times and he's very helpful
@Darkrainbow My dentist did contact Enlighten but their attitude was “sorry but you’re wrong, the pain does not outlast the treatment, so if the patient still has pain it’s being caused by something else”. So basically just denial, even though I had zero problems before the treatment. I will try the tooth mousse. I’m just worried it’s caused damage and the pain will never go away.

The pain was there for about a month but I did put sensodyne in the trays overnight quite often.

Is it your teeth or your gum line that is painful?

Oh really, that's a shame. If you were my patient I'd be going completely back to basics - full examination, either new xrays or review previous if taken recently. Carefully check gums and for any sign of clenching. Clenching could of been triggered by the trays and can cause awful widespread pain so definitely needs ruling out. I'd probably then do an in surgery hurriseal treatment, keep you on the tooth mouse. My personal preference for desensitising toothpaste is colgate prorelief as I feel it works fastest but people have different opinions.
We know that whitening can irritate the nerves in teeth, I'd still be very hopeful that this is a transient problem rather than long term damage

Definitely try some nsaids if you haven't already. I had ongoing tooth pain following a filling, still painful three months later, until I had some naproxen prescribed for something else. Pain gone immediately and never came back. Think there must have just been some residual inflammation there.
The other ideas people suggested are excellent and definitely worth pursuing. But if you haven't tried nsaids yet, a couple of days on ibuprofen would be a quick and easy fix if it works.

Is it your teeth or your gum line that is painful?
@ softplay999 the teeth ache and throb and I keep having little sharp pains.

Thanks @Darkrainbow that gives me an idea how to move forward. The dentist is convinced I started clenching my jaw due to the pain of the treatment, and that’s worn off but I’m still clenching. Although I don’t think I am! Especially because the front teeth ache the most and I don’t see how I can clench them. I will ask if they offer anything like the hurriseal treatment.

Just thought of something else - I'd also prescribe duraphat 5000 toothpaste. It's prescription only with very high fluoride content, it's for people that have a high decay rate but it's used off label for severe sensitivity.

Try a mouth guard just incase you are clenching or grinding your teeth.

I use this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/DenTek-Comfort-Fit-Night-Dental-Guard/dp/B07KX71HSR/ref=mpssa1132?adgrpid=60815310162&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqeWKBhBFEiwABoXBv7mTfet85Wc7HcEz0-iASjjt-ONnntSVtdVUYOw2PIK7QouhttRoCEN4QAvDDBwE&hvadid=294698342852&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9045283&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13270601230631053137&hvtargid=kwd-4889412681&hydadcr=139601829574&keywords=mouth+guard+bruxism&qid=1633262860&rdc=1&sr=8-32

I didn't realise I was doing it until I used this. My teeth no longer hurt. It's a never ending circle otherwise.

I'd be weary of OTC mouth guards if (& it's a big if) the pain is caused by grinding triggered due to the presence of the whitening trays. We know grinding increases, and therefore pain, in some people (probably about 30%) when a soft style mouthguard is placed (which whitening trays essentially are) . If a convincing diagnosis of bruxism is made I'd be looking at a posterior disclusion splint, probably an Sci splint or Dawson appliance depending on the particular clinical findings.