Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that removes stains and discolorations on the teeth to make them look more presentable and healthy. There are different ways to have whiter teeth. Some get the services of dental professionals to perform their in-office teeth whitening or concoct a customized at-home teeth whitening systems. Both are dentist-supervised and are considered effective and safe. There are also some over-the-counter teeth whitening kits that promise to lighten the color of your teeth safely, quickly, and affordably. These products and procedures may claim that they are safe, but we have to admit that they still pose side effects like teeth sensitivity and irritation post-use. What can be effective strategies in using sensitive teeth whitening products?
Teeth Whitening Treatments: What Do They Have?
Teeth whitening products contain ingredients that basically turn your teeth one shade lighter and remove stains caused by highly-colored foods and drinks. Bleaching agents like hydrogen or carbamide peroxide can achieve this purpose, and their concentration in each whitening product determines its potency and safety in usage. For instance, you can expect that the bleaching agents found on professional in-office teeth whitening systems are higher when compared to store-bought whitening treatments.
Why Do Teeth Whitening Products Cause Teeth Sensitivity?
In general, the longer you maintain a potent bleaching solution in contact with your pearlies, the whiter they will become. This rule is true; however, its safety of use will also rely on the concentration or amount of bleaching agent that is in the product. For instance, if the treatment uses has a higher proportion of bleaching chemicals in the whitening solution, the shorter amount of time should be practiced as it is applied to the teeth. Keeping the gel or solution longer in the surface of the teeth than required will dry out the tooth and increase its brittleness and sensitivity.
How To Properly Use Sensitive Teeth Whitening Products
Each whitening product has its own directions on how to use, while dentist-approved treatments have their applicable strategies on how to use them either on your own or under your dentist’s supervision. However, here are general guidelines and tips that we can give you to make sure that your dental cavity will not be irritated while using sensitive teeth whitening products.
1. Follow directions. It is crucial to follow the instructions of your dental specialist when choosing a professional whitening system. If buying over-the-counter products, make sure to take note of the manufacturer’s orders for the use of their products. Never use the whitening solutions more often or longer than what is recommended to ensure your safety.
2. Adjust your use. As much as we want to follow the directions, we have different reactions to the whitening systems. What we need to remember is to never go beyond what is indicated. You can try lessening your use to every other day if you experience teeth sensitivity when you follow the directions correctly. Follow a shorter application time if needed. At times, allowing your teeth to have a short break between bleaching treatments can help to ease the discomfort.
3. Use analgesics. Taking pain relievers (ibuprofen or naproxen) can help reduce the pain or sting of bleaching your teeth which may progress to having prolonged teeth sensitivity in the future. If analgesics are taken before the application of the bleaching treatment, it may prevent you from experiencing the ache or soreness from starting.
4. Choose whitening treatments with lower bleaching content. Although it is true that whitening treatments with higher peroxide content are more potent in lightening the color of your pearly whites, it is still not recommended if your teeth’s integrity and safety are at risk. Talk to your dentist and have him assess the condition of your dental cavity to determine which product will work best for you.
5. Avoid consuming food and drinks in extreme temperatures. Limiting your consumption of cold or hot drinks and foods while you are whitening your teeth makes sense because your pearly whites are still adjusting to the effects of the bleaching compound. Generally, teeth are heat or cold-sensitive even under normal conditions, but whitening can really level up their sensitivity conditions.
6. DO NOT OVERUSE. As mentioned time and again, it is okay to lessen your usage, but using the product more than what is required is not acceptable. The mere fact that whitening products can be the reason for tooth sensitivity is explanation enough. So when you use it in excess, the whitening treatments have the capacity to make your teeth very sensitive or even damage them.
7. 
Add fluoride. Using fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste can help reduce your teeth’s discomforts. Fluoridated treatments and products can be used anytime before, during, or after your whitening process.
8. Be gentle with your teeth. Make sure that you are treating your teeth and gums as gently as possible since they tend to be more sensitive than usual. Use soft-bristled toothbrushes when cleaning your teeth. Softer-bristled brushes can be gentler on your dental cavity and can help ease your irritation and other symptoms. If you’re looking for an electric toothbrush, you can check out this post about the best Philips Sonicare toothbrushes.
9. Report to your dentist after every treatment. Consult your dentist if your sensitivity concerns persist or worsen after either professional dental whitening or using over-the-counter products. There may be a possibility that it is not the teeth whitening products that caused the sensitivity but an ongoing problem with your tooth or gum integrity, so visiting your dentist is a must.