Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about teeth that look more yellow or brown than pearly white? If you’re frustrated by dental stains, you might feel tempted to try over-the-counter solutions, only to come to regret the decision.
Many commercial-grade products contain diluted bleaching agents that can cause sensitivity following your treatment. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful tips for avoiding potential tenderness after whitening your teeth and why you should consider consulting your dentist first!
Tip #1: Choose the Right Products
Although the strength and quality of whitening products can vary, they typically rely on bleaches to reduce surface stains from your enamel. Most of them contain a chemical agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, that undergoes an oxidation process in your mouth. It binds with pigmented particles clinging to your teeth and breaks them down, reducing their size and concentration.
This process also opens the microscopic pores in your enamel, allowing sensation to travel more easily through the tubules in the lower layer of dentin to trigger the tender nerves inside. You can avoid this by choosing products that have a less concentrated bleaching formula and only require a few minutes’ application time per day.
Tip #2: Watch What You Eat
Once the pores in your teeth expand, you might notice a sharp sensation when eating or drinking anything that’s overly hot or cold. As a result, many dentists recommend sticking with blander, room-temperature foods for a few days after your cosmetic procedure. Some popular choices include dairy products, like yogurt and cheese, as well as eggs, rice, bananas, and softer cuts of fish or chicken that have cooled after cooking.
Thankfully, the sensation is usually temporary and resolves itself after a few days, but if you’re feeling overly tender, you can usually safely reduce symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Tip #3: Consult Your Dentist First
One of the safest and most effective ways to achieve your smile goals while avoiding potential discomfort is to consult your dentist. They will examine your mouth to ensure that no pre-existing concerns, like cavities or gum disease, interfere with the outcome.
Furthermore, they can also provide in-office procedures that can potentially brighten your grin by up to eight shades in a single visit. Your provider has access to professional-grade gels designed to mitigate sensitivity and utilize custom-fitted applicator trays for quality results you can trust.
If you notice discomfort that gets progressively worse or doesn’t resolve after a few days, it’s time to contact your dentist to ensure there’s not a more serious underlying concern causing your toothache!
About the Practice
Patients at Dental Designs of Maryland benefit from a team of dentists who are passionate about helping people of all ages improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. With general dentists and specialists on staff, there’s no concern too simple or complex for them to tackle. Their caring approach is combined with state-of-the-art technology to deliver a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs, including teeth whitening. You can request an appointment on the website or call (410) 931-9400.