How to Prevent Sensitivity after Tooth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatment is a great way for people to improve the overall appearance of their smiles. At-home teeth whitening treatments can be relatively effective, and professional teeth whitening treatment at a dentist’s office can be extremely effective; in some cases, patients have had their smiles brightened by up to 10 shades.

With that in mind, though, one thing people sometimes notice after a teeth whitening treatment is acute tooth sensitivity afterwards. This is generally not too bad and doesn’t last long, but it is a cause of concern for some. With those issues brought up, our Hartford teeth whitening expert would like to share some tips with you on how to prevent tooth sensitivity after a teeth whitening treatment.

Let’s first address at-home teeth whitening systems that you can buy at the store. Since you are performing all of the actions yourself without the supervision of a dentist, it is off the utmost importance that you follow the instructions to the letter. If you use too much of the bleaching solution in the whitening kit, this can be the source of tooth sensitivity that you could have avoided.

Now, if you are afraid of tooth sensitivity during in-office teeth whitening treatment, your dentist may administer a special desensitizer. This is a solution that is placed directly onto the teeth to reduce the amount of tooth sensitivity that you’ll face after a teeth whitening treatment.

When your take care of your teeth at home, there are some things you can do to prevent tooth sensitivity. For one, be sure to brush your teeth with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Hard bristles can do major damage to your gums, which can contribute to tooth sensitivity. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with lukewarm water rather than with cold water. Teeth tend to be particularly sensitive to cold or hot liquids. Lukewarm liquids will not cause discomfort.

Hartford cosmetic dentist Steven Balloch offers the BriteSmile® teeth whitening procedure to our patients. Contact our practice today if you are interested in undergoing teeth whitening or another cosmetic dentistry treatment.