Your throat may be sore after a whitening session if you accidentally swallow the peroxide bleaching agent. The peroxide that is used to whiten teeth is strong, and it can irritate the sensitive tissues in the throat. When you bleach your teeth, avoid swallowing any of the solution, if possible. After your bleaching session, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to remove any remaining peroxide.
If you do get a sore throat after teeth whitening, you can do several things to calm the pain. Avoid eating or drinking anything hot, acidic or spicy, which could further irritate these sensitive tissues. Do not use any alcohol-based mouthwash, but brush and floss as usual to keep your mouth clean. Use sugar-free throat lozenges, if necessary. Some patients achieve relief by gargling with a warm salt water solution made by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water.
A sore throat due to whitening should resolve quickly and with no lingering complications. Call our office today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our teeth whitening dentist.