Meta: Getting your teeth professionally whitened is an exciting experience, but sometimes causes tooth sensitivity. Here’s how to prevent or stop tooth sensitivity following professional teeth whitening.
Do you smoke, drink alcohol like red wine, or consume coffee on a regular basis? Are your teeth stained or discolored? It may be time for a whitening treatment from Dr. Abelar. But what about sensitivity? You may have heard that people who undergo professional teeth whitening experience some sensitivity in their teeth following a treatment. While this is certainly true, the great news is that there is a lot you can do to help minimize the sensitivity associated with teeth whitening, post whitening.
Here are just a few tips and tricks to help keep your teeth feeling great following your treatment. Remember, sensitivity should only last a day or so after treatment, so there’s no need to worry if you experience a bit following your treatment
DON’T BRUSH (YET!)
When undergoing a whitening treatment, make sure you brush your teeth prior to your whitening appointment. This will allow the treatment to work better, since your teeth are clean. If you want to take it a step further, we highly recommend a dental exam and professional cleaning prior to your whitening as well.
That being said, do not brush your teeth immediately following your whitening treatment. We recommend you not eat right away following your whitening, and wait to eat anything colored for several days. If it can stain a shirt, it can stain your teeth.
When you do eat, be sure to wait a few hours to brush as well. It may help to have some sensitive toothpaste on hand to use post-whitening.
AVOID ACIDIC FOODS
Acidic foods like citrus and some carbonated beverages will make even unbleached teeth sensitive, so they can really cause sensitivity post- treatment. We recommend you avoid this type of food for several days until your teeth are back to normal and your enamel has re-hardened following your treatment.
AVOID HOT AND COLD
If you normally like extremely hot foods like soups or cold foods like cold beverages or ice cream, you may want to wait a few days after your treatment to consume them. Hot and cold foods can cause dental sensitivity following whitening treatments – and in general.
STOPPING SENSITIVITY
If you do experience sensitivity, lessen the pain with an over the counter painkiller like ibuprofen.
Remember, dental sensitivity following tooth whitening should only last a few days. If you are experiencing pain for longer than a week, contact Dr. Abelar’s office. Otherwise, hang in there, and enjoy your brighter, whiter smile!
