Tips to Reduce Pain and Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatments are promoted as safe and painless and occasionally leave you with mild sensitivity in your teeth, making you wonder whether the therapy is indeed painless, as mentioned. Fortunately, the sensitivity is temporary and finding relief for the issue is not challenging.
If you intend to whiten your yellow-stained teeth and visit the dentist near you to achieve a beautiful smile, you are moving in the right direction by involving a dentist in your teeth whitening journey from its onset. Your dentist can help you choose the appropriate whitening product to prevent prolonged sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity and gum pain after teeth whitening are temporary, but if your pain is severe and doesn’t subside, you can contact your dentist immediately for advice.
Teeth whitening has gained traction to become popular over the last few years for many reasons. Many seek the whitening remedy to eliminate tooth discoloration from stains on their teeth developing from foods, beverages, and lifestyle habits like smoking. Some people have discoloration from infections or injuries to their teeth. Others merely want a boost to their self-confidence.
Teeth whitening products have provided an answer to many people. However, you might experience temporary tooth sensitivity or gingival inflammation from the products, which is familiar and expected. Fortunately, dealing with the pain and sensitivity during and after teeth whitening remains non-challenging because remedies are available to combat it.
What Causes Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening?
The whitening ingredients hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is responsible for tooth sensitivity after whitening. The ingredients work by creating a chemical reaction with your teeth’ chromogens. The bacteria forming on your teeth and causing the staining are called chromogens. When the chromogens come into contact with the whitening ingredients, it produces a lighter shade on your teeth. However, overexposure to the peroxide causes inflammation of the dental pulp or nerve inside the tooth. Therefore you might experience mild tooth pain after whitening with sensitivity to air, sweet-and-sour acidic foods, cold beverages or foods, and brushing your teeth.
Tips to Reduce Pain and Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening
- Use Lower Concentration Whitening Products : If using an over-the-counter whitening product, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide varies between 5.3 and 6.5 percent. However, dentists use higher concentrations of peroxide ranging between 10 percent and 45 percent. Therefore the concentrated ingredient can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Therefore when visiting dentists for teeth whitening, discuss your issue to ensure they use lower concentrations.
- Reduce Whitening Products in Home Whitening Trays : If using home whitening trays, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions mentioned on the label. In addition, you must fill the tray sparingly to ensure the ingredient doesn’t spill on your gums. The likelihood of sensitivity increases with overexposure to the elements, although you can remove excess peroxide with your toothbrush or a cotton swab.
- Delay Frequency of Teeth Whitening Treatments : You benefit from delaying teeth whitening treatments if you experience gingival irritation or tooth sensitivity becoming painful. Delaying the treatment helps gingival tissue to heal and tooth sensitivity to subside. You achieve the same results that you want but will need more time.
- Breaks from Whitening Treatment Help : If delaying treatment doesn’t provide the relief you need, you benefit from taking a break from teeth whitening. You must wait for a month or more before trying to brighten your teeth again.
- Brush with Desensitizing Toothpaste : Potassium nitrate is included in desensitizing toothpaste, and the ingredient effectively reduces tooth sensitivity from the whitening. Therefore, it helps if you use desensitizing toothpaste for brushing whitening before and after getting teeth whitening.
- Use Desensitizing Gel or Fluoride Treatment : If you get teeth whitening in Mississauga, ON, the dentist ensures they use ingredients best suited for your needs. Besides protecting your teeth and gums with safety devices, they also provide fluoride treatment to help prevent sensitivity and assist in your battle against cavities for several months. Fluoride painted directly on your teeth by your dentist offers quick and long-lasting relief.
If you experience teeth pain after receiving professional teeth whitening from the Mississauga dentist, you can always contact them for assistance with the discomfort. However, you will likely receive suggestions to care for your teeth by using desensitizing toothpaste and refraining from indulging in cold foods and beverages for some days until the sensitivity subsides.
Teeth whitening treatments are safe and effective but can occasionally cause teeth sensitivity and gum inflammation after the treatment from an experienced dental care provider. However, the discomfort you experience is temporary and easily managed by following the tips mentioned in this article.
If you intend to whiten your teeth, Pearl Dental Care can help you achieve your goal in one appointment with them. Contact them today to brighten your teeth and receive tips on managing any sensitivity you might experience from the therapy.