Avoid Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening with These Tips

Teeth whitening is a popular way to brighten your smile, but some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity afterward. You may notice discomfort when drinking something cold, eating hot foods, or breathing in cool air. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce your risk of sensitivity and make the whitening process more comfortable. Let’s talk about a few of them!

Have Your Teeth Checked First

Before whitening your teeth, schedule a dental examination. Cavities, cracked teeth, worn enamel, gum recession, and other dental problems can make your teeth more sensitive to whitening products.

Your dentist can identify potential problems and determine whether professional or at-home whitening is appropriate for you. Treating underlying dental issues first may make the whitening experience more comfortable.

Follow Whitening Instructions

More whitening product does not necessarily mean better or faster results. Using a product more frequently than recommended or leaving it on your teeth for too long can increase the likelihood of sensitivity.

Whether you’re using professional whitening or an over-the-counter product, follow the directions carefully. If your dentist provides specific instructions, follow those recommendations rather than trying to accelerate the process yourself.

Consider a Desensitizing Toothpaste

A toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth may help reduce discomfort associated with whitening. Some contain ingredients that help block pathways through the teeth that transmit sensations to the nerves.

Ask your dentist whether using a sensitivity toothpaste before and after whitening would be appropriate for you. Consistent use may be more helpful than waiting until sensitivity becomes noticeable.

Avoid Extremely Hot and Cold Foods

After whitening, your teeth may temporarily become more reactive to temperature changes. For the first day or two, consider limiting very cold drinks, ice cream, hot coffee, and other foods or beverages that trigger discomfort.

Choosing foods and drinks closer to room temperature can make your smile more comfortable while your teeth recover.

Give Your Teeth a Break

If your teeth become sensitive after whitening, don’t assume you need to whiten again immediately to achieve better results. Give your teeth time to recover before using additional whitening treatments.

If you’re using an at-home system, follow the recommended schedule. Whitening more often than directed can increase sensitivity without necessarily producing better results.

Be Gentle with Your Teeth

Continue brushing and flossing after whitening, but use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid brushing aggressively. Your gums may also be more sensitive if whitening product has come into contact with them.

Good oral hygiene remains important because healthy teeth and gums provide a better foundation for cosmetic treatments.

Talk to Your Dentist About Persistent Sensitivity

Some sensitivity after whitening can be temporary, but significant or persistent discomfort should not be ignored. If your teeth continue to hurt after whitening, contact your dentist. Sensitivity may be related to an underlying dental problem rather than the whitening treatment itself.

Teeth whitening doesn’t have to mean accepting significant sensitivity. If you’re considering whitening, talk with your dentist about the safest approach for your smile and how to minimize sensitivity while achieving the results you want.

About the Author

Dr. Brent Cline looks forward to serving his Idaho Falls neighbors every day. He attended dental school at the prestigious Creighton University in Omaha, NE, but is still learning through continuing education courses, having completed nearly 70 hours over the past 2 years alone. For more information on teeth whitening and other services Dr. Cline can provide, visit his practice’s website or call (208) 529-0420.