Sensitive Teeth After Whitening: Why It Happens and How to Avoid It

Coffee, tea, red wine… these are all of life’s pleasures, but they come at a cost: teeth discolouration.

Most people have looked at their smile in the mirror and thought, ‘Well, it could probably be a little whiter and brighter.’

And thanks to the development of professional dental whitening techniques, anyone can enjoy a brighter smile.

One of the potential effects of teeth whitening, however, is tooth sensitivity. Can this be avoided?

Here, Victorian Dental Group explains why tooth sensitivity occurs after whitening and the ways you can avoid it:

Why are teeth sensitive after whitening?

It’s common for teeth to become temporarily sensitive after whitening. This is because the bleaching agents in teeth whitening solutions open up the pores of the teeth, exposing the nerves within the teeth. You might get sensitive teeth when drinking a cold glass of water, or biting into something super hot.

Can tooth sensitivity be prevented after whitening?

There are definitely some ways to help prevent sensitivity after you’ve had a professional whitening treatment at Victorian Dental Group. The most effective ways to counter sensitivity include:

Taking over-the-counter pain medication

A simple way to avoid tooth sensitivity when getting a whitening treatment is to take over-the-counter pain medication 30 minutes before your treatment begins. This prevents sensitivity before it happens and, if later in the day you find your teeth becoming sensitive, you can take more medication as directed by your dentist. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, we recommend ibuprofen as the most effective pain medication for tooth sensitivity.
Avoid foods and drinks of extreme temperatures

We know there’s nothing more satisfying than a cold glass of juice or a comforting bite of hot food but, when you’ve just had a teeth whitening treatment, it’s best to stick to room-temperature food and drinks. It’s recommended to avoid hot and cold food drinks for at least a couple of days after your professional whitening treatment.
Don’t brush immediately before or after

This is probably the only time ever that a dentist will discourage you from brushing your teeth! While we dentists love to encourage good brushing, it can increase sensitivity by opening up the pores of your teeth. So, brush your teeth at least a few hours before your teeth whitening, and wait another few hours until the next time you brush afterwards.
Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Toothpastes that are designed for sensitive teeth work wonders after you’ve had professional whitening. Ordinary brands like Sensodyne are sold at the supermarket or can be bought from the dentist.

Melbourne’s best professional whitening service

With these handy tips, you’ll enjoy a whiter smile with minimal sensitivity. For the best professional whitening service in Melbourne, visit the team at Victorian Dental Group. Our highly skilled team of dentists and hygienists use premium-grade whitening materials for a safe, effective and long-lasting whitening treatment. Simply book in at our Malvern clinic today and say hello to the smile you’ve been dreaming of.

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VICTORIAN DENTAL GROUP
291 WATTLETREE ROAD, MALVERN EAST, VIC, 3145, AUSTRALIA
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Sensitive Teeth After Whitening: Why It Happens and How to Avoid It

Why are teeth sensitive after whitening?

Can tooth sensitivity be prevented after whitening?

Melbourne’s best professional whitening service

PREVENT

RESTORE

RECREATE

We are taking a short break

(03) 9088 5808

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