How to Avoid Sensitivity When Teeth Bleaching at Home

There are so many things that can affect the look of your teeth: certain foods, drinks, and even the oral care products we use. Fortunately, to maintain a brighter smile, there are whitening treatments anyone can try right in the comfort of their own home. However, while home bleaching options can be more cost effective, there is the possibility, depending on the product, of sensitivity in the teeth. To help avoid this side effect, here are a few things you can do to keep your teeth in tip top shape while whitening.

Brush Teeth Beforehand

If you’re bleaching your teeth at home at roughly the same time you brush, make sure to brush your teeth beforehand. After removing whitening strips, teeth are going to be slightly more sensitive than usual. However, if you find yourself needing to brush after whitening, try to do so gently and with a soft bristle brush.

Check Ingredients

According to the American Dental Association, tooth sensitivity is greatly affected by the amount of hydrogen peroxide different whitening products use. If you’re experiencing sudden sensitivity while whitening teeth, check the amount of peroxide your product uses. Switching to a product with a lower concentration can make a big difference on your teeth—a higher dose would only be required for more stubborn stains, but try not to start with those products.

Follow Instructions

When using whitening products, you should use them as directed to avoid any mistakes. Removing products too soon can hinder your results while using whitening agents for too long will leave you vulnerable to sensitivity and make it harder to continue the process. To avoid prolonged exposure, most bleaching kits are intended to be used for only a couple of days. You’re likely to see more progress when you start whitening little by little rather than a lot in one package.

Use a Gentle Toothpaste

Since teeth can become irritated while you’re using whitening trays or strips, switching to a gentler toothpaste can help you avoid discomfort. There are toothpaste brands for sensitive teeth that have whitening agents at lower concentrations than trays or strips. For more stubborn stains, you may also benefit from a rinse that whitens teeth while using potassium nitrate to soothe sensitive teeth. Using the toothpaste and rinse together should brighten your smile in no time.

Skip Acidic Foods

Certain foods can worsen sensitivity brought on by whitening products and cause you to experience more discomfort. Make sure you aren’t overdoing it with extremely cold, hot, or acidic foods or drinks after a whitening session. Foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth—tomato sauce, red wine, coffee—should be consumed with caution in general, but following them up with a glass of water can wash away debris and lessen staining, which should help decrease your need to whiten in the first place.

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