Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth

Teeth whiteners are a sure way to get that sparkling smile you’ve always wanted, but sensitive teeth can be a bit of a roadblock. In fact, a lot of teeth whitening products can make your sensitivity worse. Does this mean you’re doomed to hide your teeth every time you laugh, or force a lip-only smile at your co-workers' silly water cooler joke instead of flashing your pearly whites? No way! 

We are here to debunk the myth that teeth whitening for sensitive teeth is a painful endeavor. 

We’re going to talk about what exactly tooth sensitivity is and how it develops, but more importantly, we’ll share how you can still use teeth whitening products even if you have sensitive teeth.

Step one for whitening your smile with sensitive teeth is understanding what is causing your tooth sensitivity. Oftentimes, the causes of your tooth sensitivity can be the same factors that are causing your teeth to lose the shine that many of us are desperately seeking. What causes tooth sensitivity?

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

When you are really trying to get something clean, a little extra elbow grease goes a long way, right? Not so when it comes to teeth. Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles or brushing too hard with toothbrushes that have soft to medium bristles can wear down gums and teeth–both of which have been linked to tooth sensitivity. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, brush in circular motions with moderate pressure, or consider dry brushing your teeth (brushing without water or toothpaste) to knock off tartar before starting your brushing routine.

Acidic Food Or Beverages

Highly acidic foods, like tomatoes, soda, and certain fruits, can cause tooth erosion. Over time, acidic foods can wear down small amounts of tooth enamel, eventually exposing the nerve center within the inner layer of your tooth, causing tooth sensitivity.

Grinding Your Teeth

Like eating acidic foods and brushing too hard, grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. When tooth erosion occurs for any reason, your nerves are at risk of exposure which ultimately leads to tooth sensitivity.

GERD

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, also more commonly known as acid reflux. This disease is characterized by stomach acid that repeatedly flows back into the lower end of the esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation. GERD can lead to plaque buildup, and as always, if acid is allowed to wear away your tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity will likely occur. 

Gum Recession

This is one of the leading causes of tooth sensitivity. When gums begin to recede, they can expose the soft part of your tooth, called dentine. Dentine is riddled with holes that lead to the nerve at the center of your tooth. The result? Painful teeth.  

Tooth Decay

Because dentine is softer than enamel, when tooth erosion occurs, bacteria can now enter into the soft center of the tooth that contains all the nerves and blood vessels. Once your nerves are exposed to bacteria, tooth pain is almost inevitable. 

Tooth Damage

Any kind of damage to your teeth, whether it be chips, decay, or worn-down fillings or crowns–can expose the dentin of the tooth which always causes sensitivity. Ultimately, anything that causes damage to your enamel, the protective layer surrounding each of your teeth, can lead to sensitivity. Like your skin, your teeth have pores, and they are what allow irritating substances like acidic foods or hot and cold temperatures to reach the sensitive surfaces of your teeth.

Treatments For Sensitive Teeth

Your treatment for sensitive teeth will largely depend on what is causing it. If the cause of your teeth sensitivity is due to receding gums, for example, you may need to have a surgical gum graft. Or, your dentist may suggest fluoride treatments, either in the office or at home.

In any case, know that no matter the cause of your tooth sensitivity, there is a treatment that can either eliminate or alleviate your symptoms, allowing you to drink and eat more freely, and pursue teeth whitening without sensitivity for a more confident smile.

Is Teeth Whitening Without Sensitivity Possible?

You might think that because you can’t use the same whitening treatments as people without sensitive teeth, you can’t get the same results. This simply isn’t true. The key is to address the issue causing your tooth sensitivity and take advantage of gentle at-home teeth whitening kits.

Four Quick Tips For Teeth Whitening Without Sensitivity

Although you can’t use the same whitening methods, teeth whitening is still an option for those with sensitive teeth. For best success, follow these four teeth whitening tips for sensitive teeth:

Tip #1: Use desensitizing gel or toothpaste.

Most desensitizing toothpaste contains a compound that protects sensitive nerve endings from irritants like acidic foods or temperature. Look for a toothpaste that has potassium nitrate–this compound blocks pain signals that travel from your exposed tooth nerves to your brain.

Tip #2: Address any issues that may be causing your tooth sensitivity.

Consider performing an oral health check–could you eat less acidic foods? Do you need a softer toothbrush? Do you have problems with acid reflux? Addressing and fixing any of these problems will help protect your enamel from eroding. 

Tip #3: Don’t use harsh whiteners.

Avoid kits and dental treatments that use bleach and peroxides to get you a smile that sparkles. Go for natural, non-irritating teeth whitening kits that are safe on your enamel. 

Tip #4: Use at-home teeth whitening kits.

There are many advantages to using at-home teeth whitening kits. Not only are they portable and easy to use, but they do not use harsh chemicals to whiten teeth so your enamel remains protected. 

At Home Teeth Whitening Without Sensitivity

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. We know how tricky it is to whiten sensitive teeth, but you don’t have to live with the embarrassment of yellowed teeth. A beautiful, healthy smile is really important–even if you have sensitive teeth!

If you’ve tried whitening treatments in the past, and your tooth sensitivity makes a white smile seem like pie in the sky, trust us when we say that you can still whiten your teeth with our at-home teeth whitening kit. It’s easy to use, quick to administer, doesn’t irritate sensitive teeth, and is portable, so you can use it anywhere you go. Our enamel-safe formula was designed for sensitive teeth, giving you a whiter, brighter smile without the pain. 

How can we painlessly whiten sensitive teeth? We specifically designed the at-home whitening kit with sensitive teeth in mind. Our at-home kits include both whitening pens and our powerful Red and Blue LED technology. Not only can we get your teeth that just right shade of pearly white, but our technology also tackles bacteria, odor, and discoloration. With 32 Blue and Red LEDs, you get 6x more coverage than other leading brands. 15-minute treatments are all it takes to get the results you’re looking for or your money back guaranteed. Don’t let teeth sensitivity stop you from reclaiming your smile and your confidence.