Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth: Tips and What to Expect

Teeth whitening can dramatically improve the way your smile looks, lifting away years of stains and yellow discoloration that can make your smile look worn and poorly cared for. Best of all, professional teeth whitening is fast, safe and effective, rejuvenating your smile aesthetics and boosting your confidence.

If you have sensitive teeth, though, you might be wondering what to expect in terms of discomfort both during and after whitening. The good news: Timothy Tomase, DDS, and the team at Tomase Dental Care use the Deep Bleaching™ System by KöR, a state-of-the-art whitening system designed to deliver superior results based on each patient’s needs and goals.

Sensitivity and your tooth anatomy

Many people think teeth are composed of a single, solid material, but that’s not true. Tooth anatomy is actually much more complex and layered.

The outer tooth layer is made of enamel, a tough, protective material that’s actually stronger than steel. Underneath the enamel is a layer of dentin that forms the tooth structure. Finally, the center part of the tooth is called the pulp, and it’s where the nerves and blood vessels that support tooth health are located.

A network of tiny channels called tubules extends from the pulp through the dentin. These tubules carry nutrients and fluids from the pulp through the rest of the tooth structure. They also carry sensations back to the tooth nerves.

Tubules end just below the enamel layer. But if your enamel layer is thin or damaged, the ends of the tubules can be exposed to air, temperature, and acids, increasing the likelihood you’ll experience irritation and sensitivity.

6 tips to avoid sensitivity after whitening

If you have sensitive teeth, you’re more likely to experience some mild discomfort during or after teeth whitening. That’s because the whitening agents can wind up traveling through those tiny tubules and irritating the tooth nerves. Fortunately, you can do some things to help prevent that irritation.

1. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth work by temporarily closing off those tiny channels or tubules, preventing tooth nerve irritation. These toothpastes are useful both before and after teeth whitening. 

Ideally, begin using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth about two weeks prior to whitening, then continue to use the pastes for about 2-3 days afterward.

2. Use over-the-counter pain medicine

Again, this is helpful before and after whitening. Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen about an hour before whitening and continue to take the medication as needed for a day or two afterward, paying attention to dosing information on the package.

3. Avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks

For a day or two after teeth whitening, your teeth may be especially sensitive to changes in temperature. Try to avoid very hot or cold foods, like hot coffee and ice cream, for a day or two following whitening treatment and opt for room-temperature foods and drinks instead.

4. Avoid high-acid foods and drinks

Tomato products, sodas, energy drinks, citrus fruits and beverages, coffee, wine — the list of acidic foods and drinks can seem endless. While plenty of these foods offer important health benefits, they can irritate tubules and tooth nerves, making sensitivity more likely. Consider temporarily avoiding these foods and drinks for a few weeks before and a few days after whitening to avoid irritation. 

5. Drink through a straw

Many people use drinking straws following teeth whitening to prolong their results. But straws also help with teeth sensitivity by preventing cold liquids, acids, and sugars from resting on the tooth surface and causing sensitivity.

6. Choose professional whitening

Sure, plenty of over-the-counter whitening products are available. But while they might seem convenient, they come with some considerable drawbacks compared with professional whitening at your dentist’s office. 

In addition to offering inconsistent results, over-the-counter products require repeated applications and take a lot longer to work, meaning your teeth are exposed to whitening agents for a longer period of time. Because of their generic nature, store-bought whitening products also expose your gum tissue to whitening agents, increasing the risk of irritation.

Professional whitening uses prescription-strength whitening agents for faster results. Plus, custom application means you don’t have to worry about gum irritation. And finally, prior to whitening, we treat issues, like tiny cracks or fissures or gum recession, that can increase sensitivity symptoms.

Enjoy a more beautiful smile

Don’t let tooth sensitivity prevent you from enjoying a more beautiful smile. We have solutions that can help. To learn more, call 419-670-6537 or request an appointment online at Tomase Dental Care in Toledo, Ohio, today.