Teeth whitening is one of the safest and reliable ways to give your teeth that pearly white look after staining. This improves the appearance of your smile and boosts self-confidence. As long as the procedure is done in a dental office, you are assured of having a dazzling white smile in a few sessions. While most people already know that teeth whitening procedures work, they choose to avoid it because of the sensitivity problems. This is a rush of pain experienced when the teeth are exposed to cold water or air. You shouldn't allow sensitivity to discourage you since it's manageable. This post outlines vital strategies you can consider to cope with sensitivity.
Start building resistance
One preventative measure you can consider to reduce sensitivity is to brush your teeth using a gel or toothpaste designed for sensitivity. These products will help you build resistance and should be used 2–3 weeks before the scheduled whitening procedure. While this measure doesn't completely get rid of the sensitivity, it'll minimise the discomfort. Ask your dentist to recommend the best gel or toothpaste if you don't know the best one you can get.
Don't take extremely hot or cold drinks
If you are accustomed to taking hot or cold drinks, you'll likely be tempted to do so right after the procedure. This is wrong as the drinks will cause immense discomfort. It would be best if you avoided all cold and hot beverages for the first few days after your teeth are whitened. Other than preventing sensitivity, this tip inhibits teeth staining at a time when the enamel pores haven't been fully sealed, which can affect the whitening results. If you must take coffee, wine, or any other drink, consider using a straw so the liquid can bypass your teeth.
Take pain relievers
If you experienced tooth sensitivity after your previous teeth whitening treatment, you'll likely not want to go through that again during your next sessions. Opening up to your dentist can help. The dentist will prescribe pain relievers that minimise teeth sensitivity when taken before the treatment is done. By taking the medication, the symptoms won't resurface as they did the first time. This will improve your experience and make it easier to resume your usual duties after the treatment. Remember to take the exact medication your dentist recommends and not the usual pain-relievers you are accustomed to. Take the drug as prescribed to get the best results—an underdose or overdose won't help.