Pain is beauty, and you are tough, but is the pain of whitening your teeth just too much? Here is how you can help yourself to a beautiful, white smile – without a side of pain.
Brush Before, Not After It’s better for your teeth if you brush them before applying any whitening products. Frequently bleaching your teeth makes them more porous. If you brush after using a whitening agent, you are further increasing that porosity. Be sure that the toothbrush you are using is a soft bristle brush. Always remember to take care to brush gently. There is never a need to scrub your teeth or gums. Follow Instructions Always read all of the directions that come with the whitening products you use on your teeth. Be sure not to leave the product on your teeth for too long. If you have sensitive teeth, you can leave the product on your teeth for less than the allotted time the instructions recommends. Avoid Overuse Choose a lower level peroxide whitening agent and limit how frequently you whiten. Try using the whitening strips once a month and use a whitening mouth wash intermittently during the month. Use Desensitizing Gel and Toothpaste Before you whiten and after you are finished, use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth; one with a desensitizing agent is best. Apply a dab of desensitizing gel to the areas of your gums that are particularly sensitive. It’s good to continually use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth every time you brush, and the gel as frequently as needed. Rinse Regularly Always rinse your mouth out after bleaching your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to counteract any of the acidity left on your teeth. Exposing your teeth to acidity for long periods of time eats away at the enamel, leaving your nerves exposed. Any time you eat acidic foods, or use highly-acidic products on your teeth, it’s important to rinse your mouth. Use a Little—It Goes a Long Way You don’t need to use a product that has the highest level of peroxide in it for it to work. Use a whitening product with a lower amount of peroxide. You will still see the results, but without the pain and damage that high levels of peroxide can cause. Keeping Pain at Bay If your teeth are already sensitive from whitening, here are some tips for limiting the pain associated with having sensitive teeth. Brush Gently Your teeth have pores just like your skin. When you brush too hard or overexpose them to acid in food or products, they become more porous. This is why you experience sensitivity. Avoid making your teeth more sensitive by brushing gently, not overusing mouthwash or whitening strips and eating acidic foods. Monitor Your Diet Drink less coffee, tea, and soda. Eat less acidic fruit and limit sugary candy. Change Products Try a calcium-based desensitizing paste like Colgate’s Pro-Again toothpaste. Use a desensitizing gel like UltraEZ, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers like Ibuprofen as needed. For further information regarding tooth sensitivity, or to set an appointment with Dr. Harris, please call us at (702) 699-5551
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December 2015
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