When performed correctly, teeth whitening in Oshawa is safe and effective. However, it’s not unusual to experience some tooth sensitivity afterwards. Any sensitivity should only last a few days, and you can take steps to minimize it.
What Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity?
There are several reasons why your teeth may feel slightly more sensitive after teeth whitening in Whitby, including:
- After whitening, tooth enamel becomes slightly more permeable, making it easier for foods and beverages to penetrate the tooth nerve.
- An over-the-counter whitening tray could place unwanted pressure on your teeth, making them more sensitive.
- The whitening gels can irritate your gums if they come into contact with them.
- Teeth can feel sensitive if they have any cavities or leaking fillings.
How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity Before Whitening
Before whitening your teeth, you might use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. It’s best to begin using the toothpaste a couple of weeks beforehand as the effect is cumulative—the toothpaste works by blocking any sensations that can penetrate the tooth and reach the tooth nerve.
Shortly before your teeth whitening treatment, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce discomfort and sensitivity.
Reducing Tooth Sensitivity after Tooth Whitening
After your teeth whitening treatment, avoiding very hot and cold foods and drinks for the first couple of days is better. Instead, stick to consuming room-temperature foods and beverages that are less likely to aggravate sensitive teeth. Also, avoid foods and drinks that are very acidic, which could irritate your mouth.
When brushing your teeth, ensure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush (always use a soft-bristled brush to avoid damaging tooth enamel). Brush using lukewarm water rather than ice-cold water.
Ensure you use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride will help remineralize your tooth enamel and harden it, reducing sensitivity. Ideally, use a brand that has received the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval. You can be sure it has been thoroughly assessed and is safe for use.
Another trick to try is to drink beverages through a straw, especially if you have anything slightly cold or acidic. This helps minimize contact with your teeth, reducing discomfort.
Consider a Professional Tooth Whitening Treatment
If you want to ensure your teeth whitening treatment will not harm your teeth and is safe and effective, think about a professional treatment.
Get a Dental Exam Before Your Treatment
At Margolian Dentistry, we can ensure your teeth are suitable for teeth whitening as we perform a dental exam before every treatment. We need to check you have no signs of dental disease. Any signs of disease could increase tooth sensitivity, cause pain, or worse, cause damage to your teeth.
Professional Grade Whitening Products
Our cosmetic dentist in Ajax can use professional-grade teeth whitening gels that are not available to the public. These contain ingredients designed to minimize tooth sensitivity, and we ensure the gel is correctly applied so it will not contact your gums.
If you opt for a custom-made whitening kit, we can provide professional-grade whitening gel that is safe for home use and whitening trays that fit precisely. Because these fit snugly over your teeth, they prevent the gel from contacting your gums.
Whiten More Effectively
Our dentist can assess why your teeth have stained and ensure that they will whiten evenly. For example, if you have any dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or veneers, these will not whiten during treatment. We would need to discuss replacing them afterwards so your teeth are a uniform shade.
An Affordable Treatment
A professional teeth whitening treatment is an affordable and easy way to freshen up your smile. Contact us to discover more about Zoom whitening.
