The effect of gum chewing on sensitivity associated with in-office whitening procedures

ObjectivesTooth sensitivity is the most common side effect of in-office tooth-whitening procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether chewing gum containing 0.6% casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) before tooth whitening would reduce tooth sensitivity during an in-office whitening procedure. MethodsThirty participants were enrolled and randomized into three groups as follows: group 1 was instructed to not chew gum during the study period; group 2 chewed five pieces of gum (with 0.6% CPP-ACP) for 10min each day 1week before whitening; and group 3 chewed five pieces of gum (without CPP-ACP) for 10min each day 1week before whitening. All participants had their teeth whitened with a 30% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening procedure. The participants' shades of teeth were evaluated with a spectrophotometer four times during the study: at the initial screening visit, immediately before whitening, immediately after whitening and 1week after whitening. Participants' sensitivity levels were evaluated each time the shades were evaluated and additionally at 24h after whitening using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. ResultsThirty participants were enrolled in the study. The average shade change was -2.27 (2.07). The average sensitivity for all groups at visit 1 was 5.12 (+/- 13.94). The average sensitivity for all groups after whitening was 19.81 (+/- 13.95). There were significant differences in sensitivity between groups 2 and 3 (P=0.02), but neither group was significantly different from the control group (P=0.86, P=0.07). ConclusionsChewing gum before whitening, including gum with CPP-ACP, did not reduce sensitivity during in-office whitening procedures.