How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 17 May 2017

If you're looking to whiten your teeth for a prettier and brighter smile, you have a host of options today, most of which were not readily available just a few years ago. From whitening toothpastes, gels and strips to at-home whitening kits, you can get back your pearly whites even if you have chronic tooth sensitivity. The truth is that tooth whitening products and procedures are not as well understood as they should be. This article addresses three common concerns regarding tooth whitening with chronic sensitivity.

1. Can I still whiten my teeth if I suffer from sensitivity?

Sensitivity comes because some people have thinner teeth which means the tooth pores leading to nerve endings are much closer to the surface. The result is greater and more immediate reaction to hot/cold temperatures and other sensations. Most tooth whitening agents use peroxide to get into tooth pores and break down staining compounds into colourless compounds. If you already have sensitive teeth, however, you can expect the effect to be magnified after a whitening treatment.

You can still get your pearly whites brighter by scheduling in-office whitening instead of using at-home kits. The doctor will assess your sensitivity levels and use customized products such as low-concentration bleaching products and highly concentrated fluoride gels which seal off pores to reduce sensitivity after treatment. In addition, the dentist can help to diagnose the cause your sensitivity and possibly treat it.

2. What if I prefer using at-home whitening kits?

If you still want to use an at-home kit, you can talk to a dentist to recommend what kits are ideal for you. Otherwise, look out for a few ingredients to avoid if you have tooth sensitivity. These include:

• Silica
• Propylene glycol
• Polyethylene
• Sodium hydroxide
• Ammonium hydroxide

These ingredients are abrasive to your tooth enamel and can aggravate sensitivities that already exist. Instead, go for products rich in fluoride and potassium nitrate which can help to reduce over-sensitivity during and after application. You want a gentle product which works to strengthen enamel as well as removing plaque. Such products may contain calcium, magnesium and phosphates which are important for remineralization.

3. How do I carry out at-home treatment to reduce the after-effects?

You can reduce the reaction by choosing products with low bleaching agent concentrations. However, because of the lower concentration, your treatments will take longer to produce the same effect as normal whitening agents. In addition, wear the trays for shorter sessions every day rather than longer sessions.

After the first treatment, allow one or two days for your teeth to adjust to the new process taking place. You can also use a fluoride product a few minutes before and after wearing your whitening tray. For your daily oral hygiene routine, use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. They contain potassium nitrate, which soothes the nerves to reduce sensitivity.