Do you want a whiter smile but have sensitive teeth? Teeth whitening can be a challenge when your teeth are already sensitive. Many whitening products can cause or increase sensitivity. So what can you do to whiten your teeth without making sensitivity worse?
There are options for you, but they aren’t in the store. It’s time to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening treatments.
Professional vs Store Bought Whitening Treatments
The biggest difference between store bought whitening products and professional treatments is the active ingredient. Store bought whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent and professional treatments contain carbamide peroxide, which is stronger. Carbamide peroxide offers more dramatic results than hydrogen peroxide.
Another important difference between professional and store bought whitening is that professional whitening treatments are applied by your dentist with care and precision. Steps are taken to protect your tooth enamel and gum tissue during treatment. This reduces sensitivity and prevents irritation.
Benefits of In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
Professional teeth whitening treatment applied by your dentist in the office is the most effective and safest way to whiten your teeth. The reason is that your dentist is in control of the process, providing the necessary protection for your teeth and gums that will prevent sensitivity and irritation. They also have the ability to control the degree of whitening so that your teeth will be a natural shade of white. A special light is used during in-office treatment to activate the whitening agent and accelerate your results.
Benefits of At-Home Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
When it comes to avoiding sensitivity during whitening, at-home treatments provided by your dentist have a lower concentration of the whitening agent than the in-office version. This means that it will take a few weeks of treatments to see results, but the process is gradual and easier on your tooth enamel. You’ll experience less sensitivity with at-home professional teeth whitening than with store bought products used at home.
What Can I Do To Reduce Sensitivity?
If your teeth are sensitive before or after whitening treatment, there are specific toothpastes made to reduce sensitivity. You can purchase sensitive teeth toothpaste in the store, but your dentist can prescribe you a stronger version you can get from a pharmacy. Extremely sensitive teeth respond better to prescription strength toothpaste with a higher concentration of fluoride to strengthen your enamel.
What To Avoid To Reduce Sensitive Teeth
There are some things you can avoid that may reduce your sensitivity:
- Acidic foods and drinks. It can help your sensitivity to avoid acidic foods and beverages such as coffee, soft drinks, fruit, and pickles.
- Hard or medium toothbrushes. It is best to use a soft bristled toothbrush. Hard or medium brushes can wear away your tooth enamel.
- Toothpaste containing baking soda. Baking soda is an abrasive substance that can wear away your tooth enamel and make sensitivity worse.
- Vigorous brushing. If you brush too vigorously or too hard you can brush away the top layer of tooth enamel, increasing your sensitivity.
- Repeated use of store bought whitening products. If you are consistently using teeth whitening products you buy at the store, these can eventually cause damage to your tooth enamel and increase sensitivity.
Golia Dental Provides Professional Teeth Whitening
If you have sensitive teeth but want a whiter smile, Golia Dental can help. We provide safe and effective whitening treatment that won’t increase your tooth sensitivity. Through careful application we control the amount of the whitening agent for a natural looking and healthy feeling smile.
Call 203-248-7400 or contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment.