How To Reduce Sensitivity After Teeth Whitening

Having a perfectly white smile doesn’t always come naturally. Sometimes, you’ll need professional teeth whitening in Chevy Chase to get the shade you want.

Over the years, tooth whitening treatments have evolved tremendously, and today you can enjoy a safe and effective way to enhance how your teeth look. However, you may be worried about the increased sensitivity many patients experience after getting their teeth whitened.

While it’s only temporary and will fade off in just a few days, tooth sensitivity will be unforgettable. Here are some tips that can help you reduce your discomfort:

1. Take Some Pain Medication

You can take OTC pain medication both before and after getting your teeth whitened to reduce sensitivity and discomfort, especially if the sensation is present even without any triggers like food or drinks.

2. Make Sure Your Food and Drinks Are at the Right Temperatures

For the first few days after the tooth whitening, you’ll want to avoid very hot and very cold foods and beverages. Your teeth’s heightened sensibility can lead to pain when they come in contact with extreme temperatures.

Instead, opt for room temperature foods and drinks. As time goes on, you can slowly start to eat hot and cold foods again.

3. Don’t Irritate Your Mouth

Some food items can lead to irritation, which will increase the sensitivity of your teeth. So for the first few days, it’s best to avoid acidic foods and drinks such as:

Oranges
Lemons
Sodas
Tomatoes
Pasta sauces, etc.

‍4. Maintain Your Oral Hygiene

Even if your teeth are a bit sensitive, you will still need to stay on top of your oral hygiene needs. In some cases, you want to change your toothpaste and even your toothbrush to make sure you are gentle with your more sensitive teeth.

Use a soft-bristle brush and don’t apply too much pressure when you clean your teeth. Using desensitizing toothpaste can also help reduce your discomfort.

5. Drink Your Coffee or Tea Through a Straw

Tooth whitening treatments are not permanent, meaning your diet and drinking habits can change the shade of your teeth even after your treatment. It’s recommended to start drinking highly staining beverages like coffee or tea through a straw in order to avoid staining your teeth.

In fact, you may want to keep this habit even after your teeth sensitivity goes away and you can enjoy your hot cups of joe.

Want to Whiten Your Teeth? We Can Help

Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry offers patients a safe and effective way to improve the look of their teeth. If you want a whiter smile or are looking for other cosmetic dentistry solutions, we are the perfect place to visit.

Book a consultation with Dr. Eric Morrison online to get started.

Want to find out more about tooth whitening or our other services? Call Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry at (301) 637-0719 today!