Teeth whitening helps restore your smile, but has the unpleasant side effect of making your teeth sensitive for a few days. Some patients may experience this for a week or even longer. But don’t worry. There are some steps you can take to reduce and mitigate sensitivity after teeth whitening at the office of Brett Blacher, DDS. Let’s explore these now.
Discuss Your Sensitivity With Dr. Blacher Before Treatment
Whether you opt for in-office or take-home treatment, let Dr. Blacher know if you have struggled with teeth sensitivity in the past. If you’re prone to sensitivity, he may adjust your treatment plan to reduce the intensity of each whitening session.
This can help reduce feelings of sensitivity, particularly if you choose take-home whitening treatment. Whitening your teeth more gradually and in shorter sessions will help mitigate and control sensitivity.
Switch To Anti Sensitivity Toothpaste Before Your Treatment Begins
If you want to be prepared, you can use anti sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne before you even whiten your teeth. Switching a week or two before whitening begins will build up some tolerance to sensitivity, and will make your experience more comfortable.
Use A Soft-Bristled Brush And Keep Brushing Your Teeth Regularly
Once your treatment begins, keep brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps attract minerals to your teeth and seals them, which strengthens the enamel and helps prevent sensitivity.
You may want to consider switching to a soft-bristled brush. And if you use an electric toothbrush, using a manual toothbrush may be helpful, since vibrations and pressure from a powered toothbrush could make you uncomfortable while brushing your teeth.
Avoid Really Hot And Cold Foods And Drinks
Extremely hot or cold foods/drinks will make your sensitivity worse. We recommend avoiding these while your teeth are sensitive. You can eat your normal diet, but you may also want to avoid really hard or tough foods that require a lot of chewing, since these can feel uncomfortable to chew.
Take Over-The-Counter Medication To Help With Discomfort
If you are experiencing a lot of sensitivity, taking medication like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin may help. Just take these over-the-counter medications as directed on the label to help with your pain and discomfort.
If you are experiencing a lot of sensitivity, topical treatment like Orajel can also help with pain and discomfort, but use it sparingly, and don’t use it for more than 7 days. If your teeth still feel really sensitive and painful after this time, you should schedule a follow up with Dr. Blacher.
Get Expert Cosmetic Care In Lombard From Dr. Brett Blacher
As an experienced Lombard cosmetic dentist, Dr. Blacher can provide excellent results and minimize sensitivity during the teeth whitening process. If you’re interested in reversing stains and discoloration in Lombard, our team is here to help. Contact us online or call today at (630) 916-0701 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Blacher today.
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