Teeth whitening can result in having hypersensitive teeth owing to the various chemicals used in the process. Basic functions like eating and drinking can be very painful with sensitive teeth. You can experience short, sharp pains even while brushing teeth and having sweet foods. This is a sensation that is usually experienced in the early stages of bleaching with peroxide products.
Tips to avoid sensitivity
- The hypersensitive nature is mainly temporary, occurring mostly during the process instead of later. There are several ways to avoid it, mainly as follows
Using the whitening product in lower concentrations can be helpful. Most gum irritations and teeth sensitivity occurs on account of improper usage of whitening products – usually, people believe more product will result in whiter teeth.
Wearing the bleaching tray for too long also affects the teeth negatively, despite the assumption that leaving it on longer results in whiter teeth. Reducing the amount of time can help in abating sensitive teeth post process.
In order to maintain the color, people tend to frequent bleaching treatments even when it is not recommended. This affects teeth condition directly and can also cause gum problems in the long run. It is best to have long intervals between treatments to minimize the effects.
It is never too late to take a long break and avoid whitening altogether to return the teeth to a semblance of normalcy before taking up the procedure again.
There are several products available that target post whitening problems such as a prescribed gel or toothpaste that combats teeth sensitivity. You can also opt for a desensitizing treatment or varnish which is applied at the dental office. It is also advisable to use desensitizing products before and after bleaching treatments in order to avoid problems in the process.
It is recommended to brush gently with lukewarm water using brushes with soft bristles in order to avoid aggravating already sensitive teeth.
There are bleaching products available that come packaged with desensitizing agents. It is always advisable to be preferential to these products for teeth whitening. It is also recommended to avoid very hot or cold foods for a few days after the whitening process as the teeth are most vulnerable and sensitive during that period.
There are several do it yourself kits for teeth whitening available at local drugstores and pharmacies. While the kits can be effective, it is advisable to restrict the use of these whitening products frequently. Teeth whitening processes often need to be customized to suit the patient’s teeth and varies from person to person. This customization is not available with the do it yourself kits and therefore can have adverse effects on the condition of your teeth.
Professional Consultation
It is best to consult your dentist before attempting teeth whitening procedures. In case, you face hypersensitivity during and after the process, a dental care professional will best evaluate the problem and come up with an effective solution. There are several factors that can affect tooth sensitivity post whitening and not all of them originate from the whitening procedures and consulting a professional will help identify it appropriately.