Tips for Dealing with Sensitive Teeth after Teeth Whitening Treatment

Over time, the outer surface of the teeth (enamel) accumulates stains, making the teeth discoloured. Although you can’t stop teeth discolouration in most cases, you can undergo teeth whitening to restore your teeth colour and make them brighter.

You can have an in-chair whitening session at your dentist’s office or use an at-home teeth whitening solution to get your desired teeth shade. Several home whitening products are available in supermarkets and pharmacies. However, they may cause teeth sensitivity.

Teeth sensitivity is a common side-effect of teeth whitening treatments. About 80% of people who have had a teeth-whitening treatment suffer from this problem. If you’ve undergone a teeth-whitening treatment and experiencing teeth sensitivity, these tips should help relieve the pain. You can also get tips to avoid teeth sensitivity after teeth whitening if you want to whiten your teeth.

Choosing between non-bleaching and bleaching agents

Different whitening products are available, but these products are under two categories:

Bleaching agents or products
Non-bleaching agents

Bleaching products usually contain a strong, active ingredient called carbamide peroxide, which breaks down to form hydrogen peroxide. Whitening products with bleaching agents can remove intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic teeth stains are deep-seated stains, while extrinsic stains are surface stains.

Non-bleaching whitening agents contain less powerful ingredients that remove only surface teeth stains. Your dentist can administer a whitening product in the dental practice or recommend a safe one for use at home.

However, over-the-counter whitening products are available in supermarkets and chemist shops.

The problem of teeth sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity usually occurs when you use bleaching products with a peroxide base. The sensitivity may occur during treatment or after the procedure. If you’re experiencing teeth sensitivity, you would feel a sharp pain while taking cold, sweet, sore, and hot foods and drinks.

The sensitivity occurs because the hydrogen peroxide penetrates through the outer part of the teeth to the nerves in the dentin layer.

If you do not use a peroxide-based bleaching product, you will experience little or no sensitivity. However, the same teeth whitening product may cause a different effect in another patient.

Relief from tooth sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity from using teeth whitening products are usually temporary and would stop after your teeth whitening treatment.

The following professional teeth whitening treatment tips can help reduce teeth sensitivity:

Wear the teeth whitening trays for shorter periods
Avoid sour, sweet, hot or cold drinks for a few days following your teeth whitening treatment
Use a desensitizing agent or anti sensitive tooth paste
Visit a dental clinic for desensitising treatment
Do not whiten your teeth regularly or for long periods

These tips should help your teeth sensitivity subside within a short period.

To avoid teeth sensitivity after your teeth whitening, visit here for professional teeth whitening in London.