Teeth Sensitivity To Whitening

America has a bit of an obsession with white teeth, and why not? There’s something wonderful about having a bright sparkling smile that you’re proud to share, and with all the new whitening techniques it’s something that just about anybody can have. Unfortunately, some people experience sensitivity when using a whitening agent, especially those who have teeth that already require a bit of tender handling. If you want to know whether you can benefit from whitening techniques, then read this guide to see what may suit your sensitive teeth.

The Basics of Teeth Whitening

There is an extensive number of options for getting your teeth whitened without ever seeing your dentist. If you stop in at the dental aisle at your local pharmacy you’re going to find options that include gums you can chew to whiten your teeth throughout the day to gels you apply for an hour at home. There are the usual culprits too, of course, including whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes. All of these can benefit someone who has teeth that are only somewhat stained, but for those with seriously stained teeth more may be necessary. Over-The-Counter products tend to be the easiest on your teeth, so those with sensitive teeth may want to stick to these.

Whitening In The Clinic

If you’ve got staining that isn’t responding to the above treatments then it may be time to talk to your dentist. The processes they use tend to be a bit more aggressive, but they also have greater control over them and can accommodate for teeth known to be sensitive. What form of whitening you can get will depend on your dentist’s assessment, but they can include stronger gels, laser whitening, and more. If all else fails there are cosmetic treatments that can hide the appearance of stained teeth.

Will My Teeth Always Be Sensitive?

Not necessarily. In most cases, it will be entirely possible that your teeth may recover from being sensitive. Irritated nerves are the cause of sensitivity, typically caused when the whitening agent passes into the dentin in your tooth and aggravates the nerve beneath. The only thing that can lead to permanently sensitive teeth is over-use of whitening products or where damage to the enamel has left the interior of the tooth exposed.

Should I try Teeth Whitening?

If you have otherwise healthy teeth that have become stained because of food or poor hygiene, then you may want to consider having your teeth whitened. Whether you go with Over-The-Counter processes or have your dentist use more advanced techniques a consultation with your dental care provider is the best first step.

If you’re looking for advice on how to handle unsightly staining on your teeth or are just in need of a new dentist then consider giving Dr. Alireza Movassaghi a call in Torrance, CA. They’ve been serving their community from their office at Torrance Dental Associates with great preventative and cosmetic treatments and will be happy to add you to their dental family.