Whitening your teeth is a great way to improve your smile and boost your self-esteem. It is offers a simple way to achieve dramatic results, especially when done professionally in an office setting. The only complaint that sometimes arises is the tooth sensitivity that may develop, usually caused by the whitening agents such as peroxide that can irritate the tooth’s nerves. This can result in tingling or sensitivity to cold.
Here are some ways to prevent or treat this issue if it occurs.
- Follow your dentist’s instructions during professional whitening, or the directions on the product if whitening at home. Make sure you follow the guidelines for recommended whitening time.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications like Advil or Aleve to limit symptoms each time before using the whitening product.
- Do not over use the whitening products, because excessive exposure can trigger very sensitive teeth or even cause damage.
- If you experience sensitivity, consider switching to a product with a lower peroxide content. Although you may be tempted to use stronger products in hopes of better results, it may not be worth the excessive tooth sensitivity it causes.
- If you are whitening at home, reduce treatment to every other day instead of daily if sensitivity occurs. Cutting back on the application time may also help. Giving your teeth a break between treatments can help control your discomfort.
- Since your teeth may be more sensitive during whitening periods, avoid drinking or eating items that are cold during that time.
- Brush very gently with a soft toothbrush after whitening so that sensitive teeth and gums won’t be further irritated.
- Use toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and fluoride rinses to help treat your symptoms.
- If you are having professional whitening, ask your dentist about products that may be used at the office to reduce sensitivity side effects.
- Tell your dentist if you experience sensitivity that persists or worsens. It may be related to something else like cavities or gum disease.
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