“Does teeth whitening hurt?” and Other FAQs

No matter how well you care for your teeth, some dental discoloration is inevitable. Fortunately, there are several cosmetic dentistry options to give you a bright, sparkling smile. Teeth whitening is the simplest, fastest, and most conservative.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, we can provide both in-office and take-home whitening. Dr. Matthew Bridges will help you select the right option and supervise your treatment to minimize any side effects. With his expertise, your smile could be up to eight shades brighter.

Dr. Bridges prioritizes patient education. Read on for answers to common questions about teeth whitening. Then contact our office to schedule a cosmetic consultation.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Whitening treatments use peroxide-based chemical solutions to break apart stained molecules and eliminate discoloration. When you choose a trusted brand of whitening, it is safe and involves minimal discomfort.

Many patients do suffer from some minor tooth sensitivity after their whitening regimen, but it usually goes away on its own after just a few days.

Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is appropriate for extrinsic discoloration, found on the dental enamel. These stains appear because of food, drink, smoking, and age. Although good dental hygiene and a careful diet can limit extrinsic stains, everyone will experience some degree of discoloration. Teeth whitening is an ideal solution in these cases.

Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are located inside of teeth. They often appear due to infection or trauma. Teeth whitening cannot eliminate intrinsic discoloration, but other treatments are available. These include porcelain veneers and dental bonding.

What kind of whitening should I get?

We offer in-office Zoom!® and take-home Opalescence® by Ultradent. Both can achieve comparable dramatic results, although the treatment process differs significantly. During in-office care, Dr. Bridges will coat your teeth in a whitening gel and use a curing light to activate the peroxide. In-take home treatment, you will wear specially made trays filled with whitening gel.

The type of teeth whitening you select will depend on several factors:

Your timeline: Zoom! typically takes an hour or less. It can be a great solution if you want immediate results or you are preparing for an upcoming event, such as a wedding.

Your level of tooth sensitivity: As mentioned above, teeth whitening can cause some mild sensitivity. If you already have sensitive teeth, this does not automatically exclude you from treatment. But you may prefer in-office care since your dentist can more closely observe and adjust the procedure, as needed. In either case, he may recommend a lower concentration of peroxide. For example, patients who used a 10% hydrogen peroxide whitening solution had significantly less sensitivity than those who used a 40% hydrogen peroxide solution.