Getting your teeth professionally whitened at a dental clinic is the easiest way to achieve a whiter smile, but it can also be a painful experience. If you have never had this completed before, it's important to understand that you may feel a lot of sensitivity during the procedure and afterwards. This should not scare you from going through with it, though, because there are steps you can take that will make the procedure less uncomfortable and that will leave you with less sensitivity after it is complete.
Switch to a different toothpaste weeks before your procedure
There are a number of different types of toothpastes that are designed for sensitive teeth, and you should start using a toothpaste like this a few weeks before you go to the dentist to have your teeth whitened. You should not skip this step if you already have sensitive teeth, but you should also consider doing this even if you do not currently have sensitive teeth.
Using this type of toothpaste will help seal your teeth and cover the tubules that may be exposed. Sensitivity with teeth often occurs when nerves, found in the tubules, are exposed. If you regularly use this toothpaste for weeks before your procedure, you will experience less sensitivity during and after having your teeth whitened.
Ask the dentist for anesthesia
When you go to the dentist to have this completed, you may want to ask the dentist to use anesthesia in your mouth to help reduce the pain you may experience while you are getting your teeth whitened. This step is not needed for most people, but it can be done for a person that is nervous about this or that has overly sensitive teeth. The anesthesia will numb the pain, which will make the procedure less uncomfortable for you.
Avoid hot and cold things
After you have the procedure completed, you may want to take one additional step, which involves avoiding hot and cold drinks and foods. Sensitivity with teeth worsens when teeth are exposed to drinks and foods that are really hot or really cold. If you want to avoid pain after having your teeth whitened, avoid these types of foods and drinks. Instead, try to drink and eat foods that are room temperature.
Professional teeth whitening offers one of the most effective ways to have a whiter smile. If you have any questions about this, contact a dentist that offers teeth-whitening services, such as those at Pike Dentistry.
Share1 March 2017
