How To Reduce Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening – Our Top Tips And Advice

Teeth whitening in Manhattan is a great way to transform your smile. But after your treatment, your teeth may be sensitive and tender for a few days. This is normal, and will go away pretty quickly after your teeth whitening treatment.

But whether you’ve recently had your teeth whitened at Blue Line Dental or you’re just curious about what to expect after treatment, you may be wondering how to deal with whitening-induced sensitivity. Let’s discuss a few top tips and tricks that can help you feel more comfortable!

1. KEEP BRUSHING REGULARLY AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR TEETH WHITENED

   Brushing your teeth is the best way to reduce sensitivity after you whiten your teeth. This is because ADA-accepted toothpaste that contains fluoride will help rebuild your tooth enamel. During the whitening process, the outer layer of your tooth is weakened slightly by the chemicals used to brighten your smile.

   In turn, this can cause tooth sensitivity. But fluoride helps attract minerals to your enamel, strengthening it and reversing whitening-induced tooth sensitivity. So after you’ve had your teeth whitened, make sure you continue brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

2. CONSIDER ANTI-SENSITIVITY TOOTHPASTE AND A SOFT-BRISTLED TOOTHBRUSH

   If you want additional protection against sensitivity, you can switch to an anti-sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste contains special ingredients that help desensitize teeth, and reduce the severity of whitening-induced teeth sensitivity.

   If you use an electric toothbrush or a medium or stiff-bristled toothbrush, you may also want to consider switching to a manual, soft-bristled toothbrush until your sensitivity goes away. This will help you brush more comfortably.

3. SKIP EXTREMELY HOT OR COLD FOODS AND DRINKS FOR A FEW DAYS

   Tooth sensitivity is often triggered and worsened by consuming really hot or really cold foods and beverages. For example, your teeth may hurt more when you eat hot soup or drink really hot coffee, or when you eat ice cream or drink iced beverages.

   So if your teeth are feeling sensitive after whitening, we recommend that you avoid these types of hot foods and drinks for a few days. Once your teeth start to feel less sensitive, you can add them back into your diet!

4. TAKE AN OTC PAIN RELIEVER TO HELP WITH YOUR DISCOMFORT

   Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen can all help with whitening-induced tooth sensitivity. While taking a pain reliever may not completely eliminate tenderness and sensitivity, it will make it much easier to deal with, especially when combined with the other tips on this page.

Want A Brighter Smile? Come To Blue Line Dental For NYC Teeth Whitening!

Whitening-induced sensitivity is a bit inconvenient, but it goes away quickly, and the results are worth it. After you get teeth whitening in New York City, your smile will look bright and beautiful for years to come. Interested in reversing stains and yellowing, and enjoying the benefits of a brighter smile? Don’t wait. Give Blue Line Dental a call at (212) 317-5959 or contact us online to schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Steven Chavez today.