How to Prevent Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening By Patrick Casey on April 25, 2012

In today’s world we are surrounded by brilliantly bright white smiles. Everywhere you turn these days there are sparkling white teeth smiling back at you. All of the stars from television and movies have white smiles. Because of how easy it is to do, the quickness in which it can be achieved, and the exquisite and long-lasting results it produces, teeth whitening is one of the most popular dental treatments available today. One of the easiest ways to revitalize your smile is through teeth whitening. With the many teeth whitening products available, you do not have to be a movie star to afford or achieve a brilliantly white smile. Professional laser teeth whitening, take-home teeth whitening kits, and teeth whitening toothpastes, strips, and mouthwashes are just some of the many products available. While there are many teeth whitening options, each with its own pros and cons, one universal side-effect of teeth whitening is sensitivity. During your dental consultation with our Montreal cosmetic dentist, we will tailor a teeth whitening treatment plan and address any issues that may contribute to sensitivity during and after the teeth whitening treatment. Your unique dental needs and goals will determine the teeth whitening treatment best suited to you.

How to Prevent Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening

Our Montreal teeth whitening patients may experience sensitivity when eating and drinking for the first couple days and up to a month after treatment. This is not unusual, but can be prevented. Because sensitivity often occurs when eating very cold or very hot foods and drinks, our Montreal cosmetic dentist recommends that you consume only lukewarm foods and drinks for the first few days after the teeth whitening treatment. Our professional in-office teeth whitening treatments are carefully administered to ensure that you achieve optimal results without pain. Our Montreal teeth whitening patients who use our take-home teeth whitening treatments can minimize their risk of tooth sensitivity by diligently following the enclosed directions. The primary cause of tooth sensitivity resulting from teeth whitening is a result of using too much whitening product or leaving it on too long. For take-home treatments, patients often experience sensitivity resulting from using too much product. This is not a risk of our in-office Montreal teeth whitening treatments because we always carefully monitor the teeth whitening treatment. This allows us to achieve exceptional results without over-treating the teeth.

Some patients are more prone to sensitivity after teeth whitening than others. For such patients, we may recommend a desensitizer to help with any discomfort resulting from teeth whitening treatments. Patients with receding gums or cracks in their teeth are at greater risk for sensitivity after whitening. We will examine your teeth for these issues before beginning your teeth whitening treatment. In doing so, we can point out the risk of sensitivity and take measures to prevent or, at the very least, minimize it.

Another way to prevent sensitivity after teeth whitening is by using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Because the whitening agent penetrates the dentin of the teeth, teeth are prone to being more sensitive. A soft-bristled toothbrush is not as rough on the surfaces of the teeth when brushing.