How to Avoid Teeth Sensitivity After Whitening

Have you noticed your smile becoming yellow or discolored? Regularly enjoying red wine, coffee, tea, or cola can cause your teeth to lose their whiteness. Thankfully, teeth whitening can remove these stains and brighten your smile. However, it can also result in sensitivity for some individuals. Keep reading to learn what causes tooth sensitivity and how to keep your smile comfortable and bright.

Causes of Teeth Sensitivity

Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in teeth whitening products. It works by causing a mild demineralization process that makes your teeth more porous, exposing the dentin, the tooth’s middle layer. This exposure can lead to temporary sensitivity, which usually diminishes as the minerals are replenished.

The effects of whitening treatments on your smile can vary depending on factors such as the formulation, concentration, dosage, and your health history. Store-bought bleaching trays can increase sensitivity since they are not custom-fitted and may not provide adequate coverage. If any of the whitening gel gets onto your gums, it can result in irritation.

Additionally, certain actions such as exposure to cool air or brushing and flossing immediately after whitening can cause temporary but intense discomfort. This discomfort may be due to factors like exposed dentin, gum recession, or tooth decay. The peroxide in whitening treatments can also increase sensitivity in teeth with cavities or inflamed gums.

How to Prevent Teeth Sensitivity

Fortunately, tooth sensitivity from whitening treatments is usually temporary and subsides after you complete the regimen. Professional whitening procedures are less likely to cause sensitivity. If discomfort persists, consult your dentist for further evaluation. To minimize discomfort, consider these preventive measures:

• Wait – Take breaks between whitening sessions to give any discomfort or irritation time to subside.
• Reduce – Using less whitening gel in your trays or choosing a lower concentration can help reduce sensitivity.
• Use the right toothpaste – Desensitizing toothpaste can help ease discomfort caused by teeth whitening. It does this by blocking pain signals.
• Avoid – To prevent further irritation while experiencing tooth sensitivity, it’s best to avoid hot, cold, sweet, acidic, and sour foods or drinks until the discomfort eases.

Although tooth sensitivity after whitening can be a concern, professional whitening services often reduce discomfort. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your options and start your journey towards the radiant smile you’ve always wanted!

About the Practice

The Dental Spot of Collegeville is committed to delivering outstanding care to patients of all ages in Collegeville and surrounding areas. Our clinic focuses on creating a calm and stress-free environment to ensure a positive experience for every patient. We are dedicated to helping you achieve a bright, white smile that you’ll be proud to show off. To learn more about our teeth whitening services or to schedule an appointment, call The Dental Spot of Collegeville at (484) 854-6900 or visit our website.