It seems like the ultimate practice in ease and convenience: teeth bleaching at home. Although using a less expensive product at home can be a good alternative to other treatment options, you should know that some bleaching products – such as trays and strips – can result in sensitivity. If you want a gleaming white smile at home without the resulting irritation, take care that you always follow the instructions and watch out for foods that could have you wincing after a whitening session. Here are some ways to keep your teeth strong and healthy as you whiten.
Tooth Bleaching At Home: Five Ways To Stop Sensitivity
Take Care When Brushing
If you're planning to brush your teeth in conjunction with bleaching, make sure that you brush before, rather than after. When you remove the strips, your teeth can be extra sensitive, and any style of toothbrushing can irritate weakened layers of your teeth. If you must brush afterward, do so with a soft-bristled brush like Colgate® SlimSoft to clean teeth safely and with extra care.
Opt for Toothpaste
If your teeth protest when you use strips or trays, you might need a gentler product. Use toothpaste to whiten instead, which typically has a lower concentration of active bleaching ingredients, and thus won't aggravate your sensitive teeth as much. Colgate® Sensitive Maximum Strength Whitening combines whitening ingredients with potassium nitrate, which helps soothe sensitive teeth so you get the best of both worlds.
Follow the Instructions
One of the most common mistakes with whitening products is simply not using them as directed. When you leave the whitening agent on your teeth longer than directed or advised, you're opening your teeth up to sensitivity and pain due to prolonged exposure. It's why most whitening strip kits are packaged for several days of treatment: whitening little by little results in less sensitivity than whitening a lot during one session.
Avoid Certain Foods
Hot, cold and acidic foods can all exacerbate tooth sensitivity, and you'll be more susceptible to pain after bleaching at home. Therefore, if you find that your teeth are sensitive after whitening, avoid foods that are hot, cold or acidic for a few hours after your bleaching session.
Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to teeth bleaching at home. If trays and strips hurt, you can turn to toothpaste or talk to your dentist about other alternatives. There's no need to sacrifice a bright smile because you have sensitive teeth. With the right products and precautions, a whiter smile is yours for the taking.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
