Are you planning to have your teeth professionally whitened but are worried about the problem with sensitivity that can happen afterward? If so, do not let sensitivity prevent you from having a whitening procedure done. With the following tips, you will experience as little sensitivity as possible after your teeth are whitened.
Switch Toothpaste Before The Procedure
Reducing sensitivity actually begins before you have your teeth whitened. Your dentist may recommend that you change the kind of toothpaste you use so that you have reduced sensitivity. You'll want to switch to a toothpaste that has potassium nitrate in it. As low as a 5% concentration of potassium nitrate in the toothpaste will cause your teeth's nerves to become calm, which can help during the whitening procedure itself and immediately after. The toothpaste takes a while to build up that calming effect on your teeth, so it is best to start using it early.
Request ACP Gel From Your Dentist
You'll want to speak with your dentist about receiving ACP gel to use after your procedure. The gel contains potassium nitrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, and fluoride. When combined, these ingredients help reduce the effects of sensitivity right after the procedure is finished. Understand that this is not a gel that you can receive over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. You'll need to request it from your dentist, so it is worth asking them about it before the procedure is performed so it is ready to go.
The gel is applied to your teeth by placing it in whitening trays that are worn on your teeth. If you don't have any whitening trays, it can also be used like toothpaste. Just be sure to avoid eating or drinking anything for a while after using the gel, so apply it right before bed or right after you eat breakfast in the morning.
Avoid Hot and Cold Foods Right After The Procedure
Once the procedure is finished, you should try to avoid eating or drinking anything that is extremely hot or cold. This includes beverages that are chilled with ice or even a hot cup of coffee. It will take some time for your teeth to adjust, and those foods and beverages can cause problems with increased sensitivity if you rush into consuming them again. Try sticking to foods and beverages that are room temperature to avoid any problems.
Reach out to a dentist if you have questions about tooth sensitivity.
Share23 September 2019
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.