Teeth whitening

[anniewoo]

Have started on trays supplied by dentist. After one night teeth are whiter...but soooo sensitive. When you stop whitening does the sensitivity go or will they be mire sensitive forever? What causes the sensitivity? Anyone know please? Ouch

Sensitivity completely normal and will get worse as you go along- generally. But the comfort is that it usually goes away when you stop using the product....and the whiter teeth remain. But it is quite quite uncomfortable!!!! Should say I am a dentist!

Many thanks

Can I ask always, y'know those ads for laser whitening? How does that work? I would've thought it has to be bleach. Will u explain? TIA.

OP, also a dentist. Agree with always. Would add that you can reduce the sensitivity by wearing the trays with sensodyne in, either during the day, or every second night instead of the whitening gel if you are whitening at night time. Some of the newer whitening gels contain ACP (amorphous calcium phosphate) which has been shown to reduce the sensitivity.

lurking the laser whitening does indeed use bleach, peroxide based rather than chlorine though! Higher concentration carbamide peroxide (35%) than the home whitening (10-22%). Same stuff as in hair dye but stronger. Results pretty comparable with home whitening, but faster. The bleach oxidises pigments in your teeth. Often a scale and polish is required first for the full effect (though ditto with home whitening). The laser adds some heat and accelarates the process. At my practice we use an LED light. I don't know if the so called "laser" whitening actually involves a laser or just an led / white light or a blue one.

Bonzo, do you mind me asking what whitening you would advise me to have - I have had my front teeth reenameled (not sure what it was called, very fine sheets of enamel layered on)?

no kind of tooth whitening will lighten fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges. Without seeing you it's hard to say. If the veneers are a bit lighter than the teeth either side you could try home whitening on the basis that it is cheaper, you might even up the appearance a bit and there is little to loose. Sorry!

Just jumping on to see if anyone knows the cheapest (but still safe,effective and lasting) way to whiten? (sorry for hijack)

Thanks bonzo. I often wondered about those ads.

You can get your teeth whitened at a stall in Lakeside for £79 pound. The lady who does it use to be at the Liberty centre and I had my teeth done by her when she was there.

Flippin' 'eck bewitched,that is cheap!

Was it a good result?

Wonder what insurance she has bewitched ?