Teeth Whitening Q&A
70%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review
View Before and Afters
Average Teeth Whitening Cost: $352
Learn about Teeth Whitening
185 people and 121 doctors are talking about Teeth Whitening
Get Free Email Updates
How Long Will the Pain Last from Tooth Whitening?
asked 3 years ago by nikkid in California
Latest answer by Scott Young, DDS
Question viewed 41,420 times
Tags: pain, recovery
I had the procedure done this morning at 11am and I am in the worst pain I have ever been in. I read one comment from a patient who experienced pain for a year...is that possible? Thanks
12 answers to How Long Will the Pain Last from Tooth Whitening?
+2
One year is too long for teeth whitening pain
Sensitivity is common with in-office whitening procedures. The sensitivity ranges from no sensitivity at all, to very sensitive. In the office we do this procedure daily. If a patient becomes sensitive I have not seen it last more than 24 to 48 hours. If sensitivity persists past that time there could have been underlying conditions that may have been triggered and I suggest seeing your dentist promptly. The best remedy is an NSAID like Advil or Aleve. Typically our patients are given an...
more
Ryan Sellinger, DMD
Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist
Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Sensitivity After Zoom Whitening
It is very common for patients to develop post operative sensitivity for 8-10 hours following any laser whitening procedure. We typically give the patient 400-600mg of Advil prior to the procedure to keep the pain to a minimum. Not everyone has sensitivity , but a good portion of patients do. As far a your the person you read about being sensitive for a year, I doubt that this was from the whitening. I have never had a patient have sensitivity even for 48 hours,...
more
+1
12 to 24 hours in most cases
Normally post-whitening sensitivity is worst the first few hours after the procedure and should gradually subside in 12 hours or less. If it persists beyond that, there is likely gum recession and exposed roots of some of the teeth which makes them much more sensitive. However if that is the case, the sensitivity should go away within a few days.
Michael Firouzian, DDS
Columbus Cosmetic Dentist
Columbus Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Pain or sensitivity after whitening
Some patients note an increase in sensitivity during and/or after teeth whitening. This condition is usually of short duration, lasting a day or two before returning to normal. Using a tooth whitening product which contains fluoride can help reduce the risk of post whitening sensitivity. Patients in our office who have a history of sensitivity prior to whitening are often instructed to use a high strength topical fluoride for several days prior to and after the...
more
Marc Zive, DMD
Springfield Cosmetic Dentist
Springfield Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Tooth bleaching does NOT have to cause pain
In my personal experience, the Deep Bleaching system I use in my office with AcquaBrite bleach in the office and then having the patient do at home bleaching with Nite White, using the same custom trays, works incredibly well. Patients get at least 10 shades lighter in 2 weeks with no sensitivity in general. Even patients who have been told they can't whiten have had tremendous results with our protocol. One in office bleaching session just does not work to get long lasting,...
more
Gerilyn Alfe, DMD
Chicago Cosmetic Dentist
Chicago Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Pain after Zoom
Some patients will have pain after Zoom. It will last the first 24 hours and then will be back to normal. We have been giving patients pain medicine in the office before the treatment to make the experience so much nicer. This does not help you now!. Try to take some Alleve and call the Dentist office and ask for a something for pain. Try to keep air off of your teeth as this makes the teeth sensitive.
Kathy Frazar, DDS
Houston Cosmetic Dentist
Houston Cosmetic Dentist
+1
No pain from tooth whitening!
Properly administered and asking the patient the right questions to understand the history should result in no pain with whitening. A small percentage of people experience sensitivity for a few days. Once an individual's tolerance and threshold is understood, a customized program can be developed to whiten without any pain. Techniques include prescription strength Fluoride toothpaste prior to treatment, removal of all decay and covering sensitive areas prior to treatment. Everyone...
more
Mickey Bernstein, DDS
Memphis Cosmetic Dentist
Memphis Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Patient selection is key
We have never had such a problem. Patient selection is key. We do not Zoom patients with a lot of tissue recession, or sensitive teeth. Prior to treatment we ask all of this in detail and I personally review this with the patient along with helping them understand what result they may expect. Occasionally patients will need Motrin the first day but only that day.
Benjamin S. Fiss, DDS
Chicago Cosmetic Dentist
Chicago Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Pain from tooth whitening usually lasts 24 hours
Most whitening sensitivity is from dehydration of the teeth, and they will rehydrate within 24 hours. Ibuprofen or Acetominophen usually is enough to get through.
If it hurts for a year, something ELSE is wrong.
When done right, with the right products, teeth can get very white. Some methods out there are only moderately (to NOT) effective, but still dehydrated. Pain does NOT necessarily mean "working".
+1
Typically 1 day
Honestly, if someone reports sensitivity from in-office whitening, it usually is gone in 24 hours. 48 hours at the most. Definitely talk to your dentist about desensitizing treatments.
+1
Sensitivity should be temporary
In my office we put patients on a regimen of high fluoride toothpaste one to two weeks prior to in house whitening. I RARELY get patients with sensitivity. However it can happen and the dentist should give you high fluoride paste to take home and you can take advil / ibuprofen to help relieve this. I would also avoid any food or drink of extreme temperatures. The dentist should have been careful to not place the peroxide on any areas of recession that can cause unecessary discomfort. If the...
more
Jennifer Jablow, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist
New York Cosmetic Dentist
+1
Teeth whitening pain and duration
Each patient is different and it would be difficult to judge the source of the other patient's pain.
That being said, thirty-six hours is when patients normally experience some sensitivity. The first night is always the worst. Contact your dentist should you pain persist.
Daniell Mishaan, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist
New York Cosmetic Dentist