Get ready to remove the mask and show off your beautiful white teeth! Even with sensitive teeth, you can still get an effervescent, knockout smile you can be proud of!
Looking for a brighter, whiter smile? Is it possible with sensitive teeth?
Teeth whitening, or cosmetic dentistry, is a great way to freshen up your smile and feel confident and comfortable in your daily life. You may want to whiten your teeth for a big event, for photos, or for normal day-to-day life. No matter the reason why, teeth whitening is a fairly affordable way to boost your confidence and get you smiling big again!
Many people qualify for teeth whitening and will be able to successfully go shades lighter and whiter. This includes people who suffer from sensitive teeth! There are, however, a few cases where you may not qualify for teeth whitening. If your sensitive teeth are due to an underlying problem that needs to be treated, you may have to address that before your whitening treatments can begin. Some teeth are also stained or discolored from genetics, pre-birth influences, or other effects that can’t be reversed.
The best place to start is to have a consultation with your dentist. A professional dentist like Dr. Simper or Dr. Safford will be able to help address your teeth sensitivity and the potential effectiveness of teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening Effects on Sensitive Teeth
In the past, teeth whitening could leave teeth feeling extremely sensitive, especially to hot and cold temperatures. In recent years, teeth whitening technology has improved, the today’s whitening solutions are less likely to leave you feeling sensitivity (although it is still common to experience at least trace amounts of sensitivity after whitening). If your teeth are already too sensitive and causing discomfort, teeth whitening may not make sense until other dental issues can be further addressed!
There are also more products than ever to help ease the discomfort after teeth whitening and to reduce sensitivity! Make sure to ask your dentist for the best recommendations.
With good at-home habits, like flossing, using the right toothpaste regularly, and brushing after sweets or staining liquids (like coffee and dark wine), you may be able to maintain and even whiten your teeth on your own.
If you’re considering an at-home whitener, you always ask your dentist for a recommendation before starting a process that may cause damage to your teeth (or more pain)! They understand that not everyone will have the budget or desire to have in-house whitening.
Visit a Professional
The best place to start will be to see a dentist that specializes in teeth whitening like we do at Southridge Dental. They will start by cleaning and examining your teeth. This will give them a starting place to see your stain levels and to give the best recommendations. After a full cleaning, your teeth might be better off than you think!
And whether you need a DIY or in-office whitening, they can help sort you out. If you have sensitive teeth be sure to speak up about them! During the cleaning, you can indicate which exact teeth are causing problems and make sure they are resolved. As your dentist learns more about the sensitivity of your teeth, they can fix the problem or continue with an adjusted whitening program.
