Proven Ways To Deal With Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an easy and convenient way to get a brighter, whiter, and more picture-perfect smile! Unfortunately, teeth whitening can sometimes lead to teeth sensitivity, which may be temporary, but is very unpleasant. 

Read on for a breakdown of why exactly teeth sensitivity happens after teeth whitening and the best ways to deal with this common dreadful experience. In this article, I also write about how to whiten your teeth whilst avoiding teeth sensitivity altogether, and that’s through a teeth whitening session at The Smile Bar! 

 

Why Your Teeth Are Killing You After Teeth Whitening

Any dental procedure under the sun will come with potential side effects and risks. When it comes to DIY teeth whitening remedies and over-the-counter teeth whitening products, teeth sensitivity is one of the most common side effects one can expect to see. 

This could be because the active ingredients you are using are overly abrasive (ex. Baking soda or charcoal) or acidic (ex. Lemon peels). Abrasive and acidic ingredients wear away tooth enamel and irritate gums. 

Bleaching agents like peroxide, which can irritate the nerves inside your teeth, are also hypothesized to cause teeth sensitivity. When too much peroxide is used, it causes abrasions and demineralization, which makes your teeth more porous. This exposes micro dentinal tubules within your teeth that connect the surface of your teeth to its core, where the nerves lie. When these tubules are exposed, they become much more sensitive and hyperactive, which can cause feelings of tooth pain and sensitivity.

Lastly, be very careful with what you put in your mouth. Your teeth may be sensitive after teeth whitening because of the use of unsafe or low-quality teeth whitening products. Scary! Always make sure to check the ingredients list and reviews of the products you buy.

A trusted and top-of-the-line teeth whitening brand is Brilliant Smile. You can’t go wrong with their mouthrinse or whitening toothpaste! Their mouthrinse is used before brushing to help loosen surface stains, making them easier to brush off. Then, you can use their whitening toothpaste to effectively dissolve surface stains and prevent new discoloration. You can shop Brilliant Smile products here!

Brilliant Smile Whitening Mouthrinse

PHP 999

Includes: 250mL bottle

 

Brilliant Smile Whitening Toothpaste

PHP 849

Includes: 65mL bottle

 

Brilliant Smile EvoBoost Premium Bottle

PHP 1999 

Includes:

1) 250mL Whitening Mouthrinse 

2) 65mL WhiteningEVO Toothpaste

3) 20mL WhiteningBOOST Toothpaste

How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth

You’ll be happy to know that you’re not defenseless against teeth sensitivity. Here are some ways to deal with sensitive teeth!

 

  1. When experiencing teeth sensitivity, be sure to avoid acidic food and drinks like sodas, citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc. Acidic foods and beverages are among the most common contributors to tooth sensitivity. Aside from this, these foods can also stain your teeth! If you choose to consume acidic foods and beverages anyways, balance your diet with alkaline foods liek leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, and root vegetables.
  2. Stick to room temperature or lukewarm food and drinks. That means that unfortunately, there will be no hot coffee or ice-cold lemonade for you any time soon. I know, it’s a sacrifice, but it’s all worth it for that dazzling smile! 
  3. Use a desensitizing toothpaste and/or apply a desensitizing gel, especially during the first 48 hours after whitening treatment.
  4. Brush gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse with lukewarm water to minimize sensitivity. Overenthusiastic brushing might make you feel like you’re really getting in there and cleaning your teeth well, but at the end of the day, it does more harm than good! Don’t brush your teeth more than two to three times a day. Also, if you’re having trouble brushing gently, switch to brushing with your non-dominant hand.

    Smoothly Green-Soft Bristles

    PHP 229

     

  5. Drink through a straw. This will help prevent liquid from making contact and aggravating your teeth. However, be mindful that plastic straws are not good for the environment. Choose to use paper or metal straws instead!
  6. Stop grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. This is an unconscious habit that many find themselves doing in times of stress or even boredom. Some people even grind their teeth and clench their jaw while they sleep. Stopping this habit starts with being aware of it.  If you struggle with grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw at night, try stress-relieving activities before bed (ex. meditation, yoga, or deep breathing).

Programs That Won’t Lead To Sensitive Teeth

Not all teeth whitening programs will lead to sensitive teeth. Have you heard of The Smile Bar? They’re where to go to whiten your teeth while steering clear of the suffering caused by teeth sensitivity.

Although The Smile Bar uses hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent, as its active ingredient in its teeth whitening gel, it uses it at a perfectly balanced concentration – high enough so the formula still works well in removing stains, but low enough so that it doesn’t cause any abrasions.

Moreover, because The Smile Bar’s teeth whitening treatment is non-invasive, it rarely causes any side effects. At most, some customers experience a slight tingling sensation after a session. This is natural and disappears on its own after 24 hours.