How to Get Rid of Sensitive Teeth After Whitening? (2024)

How to get rid of teeth sensitivity after whitening?

Whatever the reason for sensitive teeth after whitening may be, there are several steps that you can take to get rid of it and protect yourself from further irritation. However, if you experience any pain or discomfort that lasts for more than a few days, be sure to consult your dentist.

Be gentle on your teeth

When you get back from your whitening appointment, it is important to be gentle when brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water so as not to irritate sensitive gums or cause damage that could lead to more serious complications like dental caries infection. Use fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth twice a day after brushing to help promote re-mineralization.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush

It is best to be gentle when brushing after your teeth whitening treatment. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and lukewarm water. Colgate Sensitive Ultrasoft Toothbrush will be an excellent option.

Avoid exposure to hot and cold drinks or food

To keep your teeth sensitivity in check after a whitening treatment, it is best to avoid exposing them to anything too hot or cold. This means no more ice-cold beverages and steaming soups for a few days after the treatment. If you cannot resist, drink them through a straw so that they bypass your sensitive teeth altogether.

Apply a sensitive teeth toothpaste

There are many toothpastes for sensitivity on the market that work by blocking the tubules in the dentin layer of your teeth, which is where most of the pain comes from. You should look for a toothpaste with potassium nitrate and/or arginine s, as these ingredients have been shown to be effective in sensitive teeth. For example using Colgate Sensitive , Colgate Sensitive Clove, and Colgate Sensitive Plus may provide relief depending on the level of severity of your teeth sensitivity.

Moreover, Colgate Visible White O2 is designed to whiten teeth gently without causing tooth sensitivity.

Mouthwash

Use a mouthwash for sensitive teeth containing fluoride or potassium nitrate twice daily before bedtime. It will help to soothe the sensitive areas and provide relief from pain. Go for Colgate Plax Gentle Care Mouthwash that has all the right ingredients to avoid further irritation.

Choose an Alternative Teeth Whitening Treatment:

Your tooth sensitivity could also be due to the process of teeth whitening. So consult your dentist and try changing the treatment plan, whitening agent or the concentration of whitening gel you are using. This can help to prevent tooth sensitivity and still give you the bright smile that you desire.

Limit the frequency of whitening procedures caused

If your sensitive teeth after whitening are by bleach, then limiting your number of treatments will help. This means that if you have sensitive teeth after the first treatment and want to do another session, it is best to wait until those symptoms disappear first. If they do not go away entirely or return right after doing a second session, it is best to try a different type of whitening solution. The same applies to treatments for teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.

Consult a dentist if the sensitivity persists

Sensitive teeth are a relatively common side effect of whitening treatments. It is important to speak with your dentist about how you can manage this, so it does not continue to affect your oral health and disrupt your daily life.

Some people have success using toothpaste that is specifically for sensitive teeth, while others find relief from sensitivity by brushing their teeth before bedtime or rinsing them after eating acidic foods. If these tips do not work on your sensitive teeth after whitening, talk with your dentist, who may recommend other alternatives such as taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How to Get Rid of Sensitive Teeth After Whitening? (2024)

FAQs

How long will teeth be sensitive after whitening? ›

Teeth sensitivity after a professional whitening treatment can last a few days or weeks, or up to several months after. The length of your potential teeth sensitivity all depends on you and your unique case.

How to stop sensitive teeth pain immediately after whitening strips? ›

How Do You Treat Teeth Sensitivity After Whitening?
  1. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ...
  2. Ask your dentist about potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel. ...
  3. Try a desensitizing toothpaste. ...
  4. Switch to a soft-bristled brush. ...
  5. Avoid cold beverages—or drink through a straw.

How do I stop my teeth from being sensitive when I whiten them? ›

Taking pain medication, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), can help reduce or prevent symptoms if you take it before applying the whitening product. Use a product with less peroxide. While you may think that a higher level of peroxide might give you a better result, it's not worth it if you have pain.

How do you stop sensitive teeth pain fast? ›

10 Easy Home Remedies to Get Relief from Sensitive Teeth
  1. Desensitizing Toothpaste. esensitizing toothpaste can help relieve pain and prevent it from traveling to your brain. ...
  2. Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash. ...
  3. Green Tea. ...
  4. Honey and Warm Water. ...
  5. Capsaicin. ...
  6. Turmeric. ...
  7. Saltwater Rinse. ...
  8. Vanilla Extract.
Sep 12, 2021

Does ibuprofen help teeth sensitivity? ›

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can help with tooth sensitivity after whitening, so feel free to take these drugs as directed by the label to help with sensitivity.

Why do my teeth hurt so bad after whitening? ›

Sensitive Teeth: When Whitening Leads to Tender Teeth

The whitening process often involves using peroxide-based agents that penetrate the tooth enamel to remove stains. This penetration can expose the underlying layer of the tooth called dentin, which contains tiny tubules connected to the tooth's nerves.

Can teeth whitening cause permanent sensitivity? ›

Teeth whitening by a professional does not lead to permanent sensitivity. You will start to experience perceptiveness during the process and for a short while after. The feeling is pronounced on the first day but improves significantly after that.

What painkillers are good for sensitive teeth after whitening? ›

Take Over-The-Counter Painkillers Like Ibuprofen

Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and aspirin are quite effective at managing teeth sensitivity, particularly when paired with the other recommendations on this list.

Is it okay for teeth to be sensitive after whitening? ›

While teeth whitening is very safe and effective, it is common to experience sensitivity after your treatment. The good news is that this sensitivity is only temporary; however, it can still cause some discomfort for the first few days after your procedure.

Should I brush my teeth after whitening gel? ›

After Whitening: Remove the tray and rinse off your teeth.

Brush any remaining gel away. Brush, floss and continue routine dental cleaning. You may initially notice white splotches on teeth following removal of tray. This is typically cause by dehydration of the teeth and should diminish within an hour.

Can salt water help sensitive teeth? ›

A salt water rinse is an easy way to relieve mild discomfort or pain caused by tooth sensitivity. Rinsing your teeth with warm salt water a few times a day can help reduce any inflammation as well.

Can you make tooth sensitivity go away? ›

You can address mildly sensitive teeth with desensitizing toothpaste and good oral hygiene. Severe teeth sensitivity caused by gum recession, cavities or cracked teeth may require treatment. Your dentist can help determine what's causing your sensitive teeth and recommend treatment to address the issue.

Can you leave Sensodyne on teeth overnight? ›

Coating the sore tooth near the gum line with a thin film of desensitizing toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) before bed and leaving it on can act desensitize teeth during the night. Just be sure not to drink water after applying.

Why do I get sharp pain when using teeth whitening strips? ›

But science shows that the strips come with some side effects, most commonly increased tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation, which can last for several days and be quite painful — especially if the whitening agent gets into a cavity, or if your gums are already inflamed or bleeding from gum disease.

Can I use Orajel after teeth whitening? ›

If you are experiencing a lot of sensitivity, topical treatment like Orajel can also help with pain and discomfort, but use it sparingly, and don't use it for more than 7 days. If your teeth still feel really sensitive and painful after this time, you should schedule a follow up with Dr.

Should I keep using whitening strips if my teeth are sensitive? ›

The use of whitening strips can cause sensitivity. However, it isn't permanent and can be reduced with time and continued care. If you are sensitive to the bleaching agents found in your teeth-whitening strip, try using them less often or switch brands altogether.

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