Why Teeth Whitening Causes Sensitivity

Jake Milkerson
2 min readJan 4, 2020

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Before you start whitening your teeth, one of your primary concerns is likely to be how painful the process is. For years, teeth whitening has long held the reputation of damaging teeth and increasing sensitivity.

Whether you feel an ache the moment you apply serum or days after the treatment has concluded, sensitivity is a malignant issue that plagues most forms of whitening.

So, why do traditional methods cause sensitivity? What’s different about the Ghost White method?

Why Does Teeth Whitening Cause Tooth Sensitivity?

Teeth whitening is often thought of as a harsh treatment. After all, the process is meant to lift potentially decades of stains to reveal a more vibrant smile. Although most types of whitening are generally safe, many patients experience an increase in sensitivity directly after a treatment.

For some, this sensitivity can persist for days, weeks, or months following a professional procedure. In contrast to common misconception, it’s not “harsh” or toxic chemicals that cause sensitivity.

Rather, tooth sensitivity is most commonly associated with the bleaching solution used to whiten the teeth. Most solutions strip away the enamel and mineral deposits that rest on the surface of the teeth, exposing the sensitive dentin layer within the bed of the tooth.

Also known as microtubules, these dentin-based teeth components are soft channels that connect the surface of the tooth to the center of the dental nerve. When these channels are exposed, dental sensitivity naturally increases.

That said, the dental sensitivity is not permanent. Within a few days, the minerals on the tooth will naturally reestablish. It’s very uncommon for the sensitivity to not resolve by itself over time.

What Does Tooth Sensitivity Feel Like?

If you’re blessed with good teeth, you may be unaware of what persistent tooth sensitivity feels like. After a traditional whitening procedure, patients report a mild to moderate increase in pain.

For the majority of patients, sensitivity is only experienced when the affected tooth comes into contact with cold air, hot food, or acidic drinks.

Tooth sensitivity may feel like:

  • Immediate, electrifying pain that starts in the center of the tooth and extends to the root
  • Sudden pain when the tooth is exposed to temperature change
  • Pain experienced when you’re eating sour, acidic, or hot foods

How Does Ghost White Protect Against Sensitivity?

In contrast with chemical treatments, Ghost White uses one hundred percent enamel-safe materials that actually protect the surface of the teeth. The gentle treatment doesn’t affect the natural mineral deposits that build up on the surface of the tooth.

Users attest that they don’t feel a hint of sensitivity, erosion, or pain after using Ghost White treatments . No matter the condition of your teeth, Ghost White uses only proven enamel-safe serums.

Originally published at https://ghostwhite.com on January 4, 2020.

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Jake Milkerson
Jake Milkerson

Written by Jake Milkerson

Just a dude that loves to write about anything and everything under the sun!

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