Do you use teeth whiteners and bleaching strips to brighten your smile? You’re not alone. We also used to go for such time-saving cheap alternatives until we discovered that all you get is: sensitivity issues and temporary whitening from them.
You must be wondering, then, what’s the best way to whiten sensitive teeth? This is one of the most asked dental queries since everyone wants pearl-like shiny teeth. In fact if we talk in numbers, 45 million people in the United States have had professional teeth whitening. Therefore, we have decided to enlighten you on the safest and best way to whiten teeth for sensitive teeth.
About Teeth Sensitivity
Almost everyone experiences sensitivity once in their lifetime. While its symptoms are pretty much close to those of cavities, it is a different condition with its unique symptoms and treatments. However, the good thing is that it is not dangerous and easily curable.
How to Know if you have Sensitive Teeth?
Unlike gum diseases that are difficult to spot, sensitivity is easy to detect. The person with sensitive teeth experiences sharp pain or discomfort after enjoying a cup of ice cream or a hot cup of soup. It mainly affects your enamel (the front layer of teeth that protects them and neural endings) and causes sharp pain.
If you think you have sensitive teeth, look for the symptoms below:
- Pain or discomfort after eating hot foods and drinks
- Unpleasant reaction after having cold foods and drinks
- Sensitive to temperature changes
- Pain during flossing or brushing
- sensitivity to sweet and acidic foods and drinks
Best Way to Whiten Sensitive Teeth
There are several on-the-shelf whitening products that help whiten sensitive teeth. However, their effectiveness depends on their ingredients as well as the cause of the stain on your teeth.
For instance, the stains you get from regular drinking dark drinks, sodas and coffee/tea get removed easily. However, if the stains are the result of some internal reasons or medications that you might be taking, then you can’t remove them at home.
Below are some teeth whitening methods that you can go for:
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In-office Bleaching Treatment
Price: $600, approximately
Results: Immediate
Those facing teeth discoloration due to the second because we have mentioned above require in-office bleaching treatment. If you are unaware of it, it’s a bleaching procedure at a dentist’s clinic to deal with tough-to-remove damage. You can either directly go to your dentist or check reviews for the dentists who specialize in this process.
Note: Professional whitening treatments are far better than at-home bleaching hacks. They are less likely to cause any damage to the enamel and bring up sensitivity issues. Also, they are typically more effective than using bleaching strips at home.
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Dental Kits for at-home Treatment
Price - $150 - $600
Results - Slow
Another option to get whiter teeth done professionally is by using take-home whitening treatment kits. While they take longer to show results, they are more convenient and cost-saving.
At-home whitening kits are custom-made and take 1 to 2 visits to the clinic to get them ready. The staff takes your teeth’s impression on the first visit and prepares your tray. In the second session, you will be called to get the tray fitted correctly and learn how to do it at home.
Note: At-home trays are convenient but work slower than in-office professional treatments. This is due to the fact that in-office sessions are accompanied by a special beam that works faster on your teeth by making the whitening gel absorb faster. Moreover, it is less likely to affect your sensitivity issues.
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Teeth Whitening Products
At-home treatments may not be the best way to whiten sensitive teeth. However, if you think your teeth stains are due to your bad eating habits, you can go for at-home professional treatments. You never know. You may learn the best way to whiten sensitive teeth at home.
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Crest 3D White Whitestrips
Price: $34 - $45
Results: Moderate
If you are not ready for an in-office or at-home professional treatment and are up for a quick fix, go for Crest 3D white Whitestrips. It is one of the effective teeth whitening solutions over-the-counter. If you already have sensitive teeth, then opt for its gentle version. But bear in mind that it is less effective than professional bleaching gel.
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GLO SCIENCE GLO Brilliant Whitening Device
Price: $199 - $250
Results: Slow
Glo Science is a newer, innovative teeth whitening solution that gives you a brighter smile. It has a blue light containing hydrogen peroxide. Along with the heat, it gives you whiter teeth in just 8 minutes.
It is better than bleaching or whitening strips as it has LED light which reduces the chances of sensitivity and absorbs the gel faster. That said, its bleaching agent is below professional grade, so you have to use it for a long to get your desired results.
2 - Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies
If you want to go low-key with your teeth whitening solution, try at-home remedies to get a brighter smile. While its results take time to pop up, it will save you big. With that, let's find out the best way to whiten sensitive teeth at home:
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Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a popular teeth whitening remedy originated in India to remove toxins and improve oral hygiene. Coconut oil is the best choice for this treatment as it contains lauric acid known to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
All you have to do is just take 15ml oil in your mouth and run it through your teeth inside your mouth. Continue it for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse. Do it often to have whiter teeth.
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Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural ingredient that is used in toothpaste due to its whitening properties. Since it’s mildly abrasive, it cleans your teeth by scrubbing away all the stubborn stains.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
There could be different factors causing tooth sensitivity. For instance, a depleted enamel or worn tooth can cause sensitive teeth. Similarly, many other factors can contribute to it. Below we have attempted to mention a few.
- Hard brushing: Brushing too hard or using a hard bristle brush can deplete your enamel with time, eventually leading to sensitivity. Therefore, try using a soft bristle brush to keep your enamel intact.
- Cracked teeth: broken or chipped teeth are typically the result of bacterial infection or plaque causing tooth sensitivity.
- Teeth grinding: Grinding your teeth cause enamel to wear down and as a result, they become temperature sensitive.
- Age: age is another common factor for teeth sensitivity. It is normal to have sensitive teeth between 25 to 30.
- Scaling: One of the most common reasons for sensitivity is scaling. While most people think of it as dental cleansing, it removes the outer protective layer of your teeth and makes them weak, eventually leading to sensitivity.
Conclusion
It’s 2022. There are numerous ways to whiten your teeth that too at the convenience of your home. However, not all of them are safe. The best way to determine which treatment is safer is by consulting your dentist.
Lastly, avoid using instant treatments like bleaching strips as they cause harm to your teeth in the long run. Always trust dentist-approved products when it comes to oral health.