what causes tooth sensitivity after bleaching teeth?

[Dental916]

?

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[DrJeff]

The 2 main reasons would be

1) un-diagnosed decay approaching the pulp space

or(the more common one)

2) The bleach will open up many dentinal tubules by removing the natural organic layer(bacteria, etc) that commonly occulde the exposed tubule endings. More open tubules equal more moisture transfer to the nerve which equals sensitivity. Hence why many bleaching products have a concentrated fluoride in them to help expediate the re-occluding of the tubules

 

[Dental916]

so the bleach penetrates through the enamel and open up the dentinal tubules? I understand that once the dentinal tubules open up, there will be increased sensitivity...penentrating through the enamel is what was throwing me off.

 

[DrJeff]

The majority of the time if any sensitivity arise it will be not from the bleach penetrating the enamle, but in areas where ginigival recession has occurred and the cementum is exposed

 

[Mach band]

If I remember correctly, hydrogen peroxide penetrates through the tooth including enamel and disassociates into water and oxygen to "bleach" the tooth. I don't remember the Ultradent rep mention any particular areas of the tooth. As DrJeff mentioned, it'd be more sensitive if roots are exposed. Also, latest bleaching is not contact bleaching meaning that you can bleach even with ortho bands on. Hope that helps.