Control Tooth Sensitivity
Your teeth can feel sensitive at times for different reasons. For example, your sensitivity can be caused by teeth whitening, but they could also be sensitive because your enamel is thin or because you have an underlying dental issue. People with sensitivity to teeth whitening will usually feel pain or discomfort during the whitening process or in the minutes, hours, or days after treatment. Depending on the type of teeth-whitening treatment, pain is caused by either the teeth or the gums.
Reasons Why People Feel Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening?
There are a few reasons why you might feel sensitive after getting your teeth whitened. These things are:
- Whitening gels temporarily make your tooth enamel more porous, letting the soft, nerve-filled dentin layer show through.
- Some whitening trays may pressure your teeth, making them sensitive for a short time.
- If the bleaching gels used for whitening treatments get on your gums, they can make them sore and sensitive.
- Luckily, their ways prevent sensitivity and pain from teeth whitening treatments and make them less painful. Even better, do you know what? In general, these options don't require much work on your part. For example, you could cut back on how often you whiten your teeth, use a specific type of toothpaste, watch what you eat, or use straws.
- Things To Do Before Getting Your Teeth Whitened
- Before you get your teeth whitened, you can do a few things to reduce how sensitive your teeth will be afterward.
- First, use toothpaste that makes your teeth less sensitive.
- About ten days before your procedure, use toothpaste that makes your teeth less sensitive. These toothpastes will help stop pain signals from getting outside your tooth to the nerve inside. If you want the toothpaste to work best, let it sit on your teeth for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Apply a gel that will make your skin less sensitive.
- It would help if you did this before your treatment. Leave the gel on your teeth for the recommended time, and then rinse with water.
Take painkillers.
Taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen before you whiten your teeth can help reduce sensitivity and pain. If you still feel sensitive, you can keep taking this medicine after your treatment.
Steps to Take After Getting Your Teeth Whitened
Avoid eating or drinking anything too hot or cold. Your teeth will be most sensitive for the first 1–2 days after your treatment. Make sure to avoid foods and drinks that are very hot or cold. Instead, choose food and drinks that are at room temperature.
Avoid acidic foods and drinks.
Sodas and citrus fruits, for example, can irritate your mouth and make it even more sensitive.
Continue using desensitizing toothpaste.
Brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste or using a desensitizing gel for the first 48 hours after whitening your teeth will help you deal with any sensitivity you may feel. Gently brush your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and rinse with lukewarm water to reduce sensitivity. Tubes of toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain fluoride can help remineralize your teeth and block pain signals to your oral nerves.
Use an At-Home Bleaching Gel with Less Power.
If you use bleach trays at home, you should buy a bleaching gel with less power. With a bleaching agent that is not as strong, your teeth are less likely to be sensitive or hurt as much.
Drink through a straw.
The liquid won't touch your teeth if you drink through a straw right after a whitening treatment. It can make you feel less uncomfortable.
Reduce the number of times you whiten your teeth.
One quick way to reduce sensitivity caused by teeth whitening is to lengthen the time between treatments or stop whitening altogether. The strength or amount of active bleaching ingredients in some whitening treatments can make your teeth more sensitive or cause pain. If using bleach trays regularly to whiten your teeth makes them more sensitive, you might want to switch to something less intense, like whitening toothpaste, to give your teeth a break.