A person’s smile is often the first thing other people notice about them. This makes it common for people with discolored or imperfect teeth to be self-conscious about meeting people. There are many whitening products out there that claim to solve this problem, but if you’re not careful, some of them can damage your teeth.
This is especially true if you already have sensitive teeth. Whitening strips and toothpastes are usually designed with harsh chemicals in them that can make your teeth and gums painful. The higher the concentration of the bleaching agent, the more likely the product is to increase your sensitivity.
Sensitivity can be tooth-related or gum-related. When the bleaching gel touches your gum and stays there for too long, it can create a chemical burn on the soft tissue there. It’s usually a temporary discomfort, but it’s still not fun.
Teeth sensitivity is usually not noticeable until your tooth comes into contact with something cold. It frequently happens when you’ve used a whitening product too frequently. If you are feeling pain in your teeth when it comes into contact with something cold, you should wait longer between your bleaching times.
However, some people have sensitive teeth before they ever start a whitening product. Those people should be extra cautious about what they use for their oral hygiene, especially with whitening products.
These five methods are recommended for people with sensitive teeth who want to have a whiter smile without any problems.
5 Best Sensitive Teeth Whitening Methods
A whitening product’s effectiveness depends partly on the ingredients making up the product. It also is impacted by how your teeth became discolored and stained to begin with.
Some stains are harder to remove than others. For instance, stains that came from regularly drinking beverages like dark sodas, coffee, or tea are usually removed easily.
Other stains are harder to remove. These are usually from factors that start from the inside from certain medications or are caused by long-term nicotine habits. The whitening products available work differently depending on the reason behind the stains.
In-office bleaching procedures:
The question of the best way to whiten sensitive teeth when the discoloration is from a tough-to-remove reason enters a whole new level. For whitening teeth that have been stained from tougher damage, an in-office whitening treatment is your best solution. These are offered at Supremia Dental by our trained experts, and patients often notice a difference in as little as one treatment.- Professional whitening treatments are the safest way to remove long-term stains if you have sensitive teeth. They are also the most effective. They don’t harm the natural enamel of your teeth, so they’re less likely to add to your sensitivity. Since a skilled hygienist or dentist is applying the treatment, your gums are protected, too.
At-home professional treatments:
Another option is to get a professional whitening treatment to take home with you. These take longer to get the results you want, but they are done at your convenience.- The kits are custom-made for you at the office. The staff takes impressions of your mouth, which are then used to create the tray for your whitening gel. When the tray is ready, you’ll have a second appointment to have the tray fitted correctly and learn how to use it at home.
- While the at-home kit is more convenient, an in-office treatment works faster. This is because we can use a special light that speeds up the bleaching agent. The light helps the gel absorb better, reducing the time it is spent on your teeth. This eliminates extra sensitivity issues.
Crest 3D White Whitestrips Gentle Routine Teeth Whitening Kit:
If a professional whitening at the dentist isn’t something you’re ready for, you can get an over-the-counter whitening kit like the Crest 3D Whitestrips. The gentle version of this helps whiten sensitive teeth, but it’s not as effective as the professional bleaching gel.- The 3D white strips use a lower-level mix of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide. The weaker strength is important to prevent irritating sensitive teeth and gums. But it also means you’re going to have to use the product longer before you get the results you want.
GLO SCIENCE GLO Brilliant Teeth Whitening Device:
A newer innovation in teeth whitening is the GLO whitening device. It combines hydrogen peroxide with blue LED light and heat to give you a brighter smile in just eight minutes per treatment.- Because it pushes the gel into your teeth faster with the LED light and heat, there’s less chance of increased sensitivity. The bleaching agent is not professional grade, though, so you’ll have to use this product for a while before seeing major results.
Natural whitening products:
If you want to learn how to whiten your sensitive teeth naturally, you can use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide yourself. The properties in baking soda have been proven to whiten teeth, so it’s used in a lot of commercial toothpaste. Mixing a paste of baking soda and 1% hydrogen peroxide can whiten your teeth slowly and effectively.
No matter which method you use to get the level of pearly whites you’re happy with, you need to know what to avoid after whitening your teeth. Otherwise, you’ll stain them again.
While your teeth are still feeling the effects of the whitening treatment, for about 24 to 48 hours, you need to be cautious about what you eat. The same process that causes your teeth to absorb the bleaching gel can also cause them to absorb the dyes in your food.
Dentists recommend what’s called the “white food diet,” which simply means the whiter the foods you eat and beverages you drink, the better.
Avoid dark sodas, tea, coffee, berries, and dark wine
Schedule a Whitening Consultation Today
Still not sure which whitening treatment is best for your sensitive teeth? It’s understandable that you don’t want to use just anything.
At Supremia Dental, we can schedule a consultation for you to get your questions answered. We will let you know what your options may be based on your oral health and medical history. Call us today to make an appointment.
