Teeth whitening misery :(

[DillyDallyingAbout]

I am a week in of my teeth whitening and it just hurts so so much. I can't get to sleep, it then wakes me up, it throbs all day when I don't even have the trays in.

I am using senstive toothpaste and taking painkillers.

This might sound weird but the electric shock pains are so bad that everything else sets my teeth on edge and I am grumpy and can't talk to people. When the trays are in I have to go and hide because I feel so on edge I just have to lie in silence.

It sounds ridiculous. I am usually hardcore with a good pain tolerance. Can anyone advise, will it get better? I have two weeks to go and I don't know if I can do it :(

Yes this is me!! I got used to it eventually. Also found it better buying a higher % that you only use for 15 mins. Makes them whiter quicker and lasts as long. I buy the Phillips one via US so it’s higher strength. I can’t leave any of the stuff on overnight or I’m in too much pain. Agree on the electric shocks!

Why are you doing this to yourself?

thanks - no i have very sensitive teeth and receding gums.

hi if you have very sensitive teeth and receding gums you are going to struggle; I think you can try less time and less frequently it will take longer but if it's agony just stop.

higher strength bleach from USA is not legal in Europe neither are crest white strips, there is a good reason for this as they can cause a lot of damage and strip enamel

higher strength will cause OP more problems not less

Sensodyne rapid relief is the best one for me, smear it on all over your teeth and leave it on
Or GC tooth mousse

If you have recession and existing sensitivity then you will get sensitivity with tooth whitening. Best thing is to give it a rest. I wouldn't put whitening on teeth that are that sensitive

Fill the trays with sensodyne or another sensitive toothpaste over night.

Higher strength gel can help as you need to use it for a shorter period, but leaving it overnight will cause worsened sensitivity. Some people prefer a lower strength and longer time. Both methods can reduce sensitivity and is patient dependent. Personally I use high strength gel and leave it for only 2hrs at a time

Once they have settled restart but only leave the trays in for 2 hrs, and give yourself a day or two between uses.

Thanks everyone for your replies. The brand is Boutique. I don't get any pain on the bottom teeth it's just the top back teeth. I am going to try a couple of hours with just teeth which are visible in my smile and go every other day. Let's see :)

It shouldn’t be causing anywhere near this much pain.
Yes, a bit of sensitivity is normal, but if this is how you’re feeling you need to go back to the dentist.
I’ve got fairly sensitive teeth so I use a whitening gel that’s designed for that, only stays in 1 hour and works brilliantly giving no pain.
Please speak to your dentist!

You don't need to put the gel that far back in the tray as the very back teeth aren't visible. Only do the ones which are visible

It is normal to get significant sensitivity if your using high strength gel, overnight, everyday and have recession. That's a recipe for sensitivity.

If you have very sensitive teeth and receding gums, then you are not really suited to teeth whitening, as it causes increased sensitivity, even for many with no prior problems - not just during the treatment phase, but long after.

If you are doing the gel you need to switch to a lower %. I found anything other than the lowest % available was agony.

Hi OP, how are you getting on now?

I’m using the enlighten system currently, I have definitely have some pain & sensitivity. Completely understand you about certain noises going through you! Although mine doesn’t seem as bad as yours. Were you able to finish the treatment?

I had the exact same thing with teeth on edge to the point I thought I’d be sick! I switched to the two-hour one rather than overnight one (it’s a different formula) and it was so much better. Also Boutique brand. It worked really well at whitening too.

Thanks for asking! I went to the dentist and he advised me to stop using on teeth where my gums have receded. These arent really visible in my smile so that was OK, and not to use overnight. Once I had missed out those teeth there was so little pain that I went to overnight and no problems at all. All done now and really pleased with the results. I should have a perfect smile by the end of October!