Over bleached teeth

Overuse of whitening can irritate gums and make teeth sensitive; stop the product, use gentle care, and arrange an examination.

Peroxide whitening moves through enamel and dentine to break down stain molecules. Repeated exposure, strong gel, prolonged contact, poor tray fit, or brushing abrasively can irritate gingiva and stimulate the tooth pulp, causing sensitivity.

Pause whitening, use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, and avoid extreme temperatures while symptoms settle. Do not apply extra gel or leave trays in longer; a dentist may recommend desensitising fluoride or potassium-based products after checking the cause.

Seek care if sensitivity is severe, spontaneous, localised to one tooth, or does not improve after stopping whitening. Gum burns, blisters, swelling, visible enamel defects, or pain on biting also need examination.

Ask whether the symptoms come from whitening, decay, a crack, recession, or an exposed root, and whether the tooth needs testing or an X-ray. Ask for a product strength, tray schedule, and stopping rules tailored to your enamel and gums.