Teeth Whitening Whitening Safety & Sensitivity 1

Question 1

Which patient group should AVOID tooth whitening products due to risk of enamel damage?

Accepted Answer

Children under 16 with incompletely formed enamel

Answer

Enamel in children under 16 is still mineralizing, and high-concentration peroxide can cause irreversible damage to developing tooth structure.

Question 2

What is the most commonly reported side effect of teeth whitening?

Accepted Answer

Temporary tooth sensitivity to temperature

Answer

Transient temperature sensitivity is reported by up to 65–78% of patients and typically resolves within a few days of completing treatment.

Question 3

How does peroxide cause tooth sensitivity during whitening?

Accepted Answer

It penetrates enamel and dentin to stimulate pulp nerve fibers via fluid movement in tubules

Answer

Peroxide diffuses into dentinal tubules and affects the hydrodynamic fluid movement that triggers A-delta nerve fibers in the pulp, causing sensitivity.

Question 4

A patient reports sharp, spontaneous pain that lingers for minutes after whitening. This most likely indicates what?

Accepted Answer

Irreversible pulpitis requiring evaluation before continuing treatment

Answer

Lingering, spontaneous pain is a classic sign of irreversible pulpitis, which requires the patient to stop whitening and seek dental evaluation immediately.

Question 5

What pre-treatment strategy can reduce sensitivity during a whitening course?

Accepted Answer

Using a desensitizing toothpaste with potassium nitrate for 2 weeks before starting

Answer

Pre-treatment with potassium nitrate toothpaste saturates dentinal tubules with ions that reduce nerve excitability, lowering sensitivity during whitening.

Teeth Whitening Practice Test

Teeth Whitening Practice Test

Teeth Whitening Whitening Safety & Sensitivity 1