Why do my teeth feel weak after whitening?

Author: Lenna Kulas  |  Last update: Thursday, May 15, 2025

Teeth sensitivity happens because the tooth enamel becomes thinner and less protective after the whitening process. To reduce teeth sensitivity while using whitening strips, you must use a desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash. You will also need to avoid acidic foods with high sugar content.

Do teeth become weak after whitening?

Teeth are thought to become more sensitive after whitening because the whitener weakens the teeth slightly, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside.

How do you rehydrate your teeth after whitening?

Saliva is the Best Hydration

Since your teeth are slightly dehydrated after whitening, you may be inclined to drink lots of water. While drinking plenty of water is always a good idea, it won't necessarily rehydrate your teeth. The best way to rehydrate your teeth is by ensuring your mouth stays moist.

Does teeth whitening make your teeth weaker?

Whitening doesn't weaken your teeth for a long time. Sensitivity may occur, but it's temporary, and your teeth will recover soon.

Why do my teeth feel weird after whitening?

The reason for this discomfort is that the bleaching agent, whether it be hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, causes a chemical reaction on the tooth surface. This, in turn, increases the porosity of the enamel and makes it more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks.

How To Prevent Sensitive Teeth After Whitening

Why do I feel dizzy after teeth whitening?

If you notice inflammation or discoloration in your gums, you are not using the product correctly. If the bleach spills out of the whitening tray and burns your gums, you have a risk of swallowing the chemicals. This can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

Does enamel grow back?

Does tooth enamel grow back? No, if your enamel is completely gone, you can't bring it back. But your dentist can place a dental crown over your tooth to protect it from further damage.

Does professional whitening weaken teeth?

We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel.

What does enamel loss look like?

As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.

Can teeth look worse after whitening?

Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.

How long does it take for teeth pores to close after whitening?

The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.

How do you strengthen enamel after whitening?

Use a remineralizing toothpaste or gel

This involves the application of remineralizing agents, such as fluoride varnishes or gels, to the affected teeth. These agents help replenish lost minerals and strengthen the enamel, reducing the appearance of white stains and restoring the health of the teeth.

Does ibuprofen help teeth sensitivity?

Over the counter painkillers: If your teeth are sensitive, toothaches may be alleviated with pain medication such as Ibuprofen, which will help numb the pain and reduce inflammation.

What is the disadvantage of teeth whitening?

What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.

How long does it take for teeth to heal after whitening?

How long does it take for teeth to heal after whitening? Typically, it takes 48-72 hours for teeth to heal properly after whitening. During this time, maintaining proper dental care and adopting healthy oral habits is essential.

What do dehydrated teeth look like?

Dehydrated teeth appear white and chalky. You'll notice this more if you're a mouth breather or have a cold. It's why you may get a white spot on a tooth overnight.

Can a dentist fix enamel loss?

Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on the problem. Sometimes tooth bonding is used to protect the tooth and increase cosmetic appearance. If the enamel loss is significant, the dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown or veneer. The crown may protect the tooth from further decay.

How to whiten teeth if enamel is gone?

If your enamel is damaged, there's good news: you can likely still try in-office whitening with your dentist. It's entirely possible to whiten damaged enamel, but proper care is crucial. Before any whitening treatment, you'll need to talk with our team.

When is it too late to repair enamel?

The first sign of tooth decay is a white spot on the teeth, which means it has begun to demineralize. At this point, the weakening can be reversed or helped with remineralization. But once a hole, or cavity, begins to form, the enamel has been permanently damaged and it's too late to naturally reverse the effects.

Are whitened teeth weaker?

However, teeth whitening treatments can cause damage to the enamel if not done correctly or overused. Enamel damage can lead to increased sensitivity, pain, and white spots on your teeth. It's essential to consult with a dentist before using any teeth whitening products to ensure they're safe for your teeth.

What does a tooth without enamel look like?

What Does It Look Like? Amelogenesis imperfecta affects the appearance and strength of teeth. Teeth appear small, discolored, pitted, and prone to breaking.

Does enamel grow back after whitening?

Although enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. Once damaged, it cannot regenerate, making it crucial to choose safe whitening options.

Do crest white strips damage enamel?

Are Whitestrips Safe on Tooth Enamel? Yes. Crest 3D White Whitestrips contains hydrogen peroxide, the same enamel-safe ingredient dentists use for tooth whitening. Extensive testing has shown the product to be safe when used as directed.

Can mouthwash repair enamel?

LISTERINE® NATURALS ENAMEL REPAIR ANTICAVITY FLUORIDE MOUTHWASH HERBAL MINT. This 99% naturally derived* mouthwash formula is made with mineral fluoride to re-mineralize and repair weakened tooth enamel for better cavity protection, while also killing 99.9% of bad breath germs.

Does Pronamel actually work?

While any toothpaste containing fluoride helps prevent this erosion, Intensive Enamel Repair, Pronamel's most advanced enamel care formulation, is proven to help actively repair acid-weakened enamel and protect teeth from future acid erosion.

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