How to Cope with Teeth Whitening Sensitivity

Experts say it's common to have sensitivity after you get your teeth whitened, whether you go to the dentist or use an at-home kit. [1] Tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening occurs because the chemicals used to whiten your teeth irritate your tooth nerves. Research suggests that sensitivity from whitening products is usually temporary, and you may be able to minimize it. [2] However, always check with your doctor to make sure you don't need dental care and to find out if your whitening products are safe for you.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Taking Preventative Measures Before Treatment

  1. At least 10 days before your treatment, start brushing three times a day with a desensitizing toothpaste. Sensodyne and Colgate Sensitive are two good options. These toothpastes help to block pain signals from the tooth surface to the inner nerve. [3]
    • Look for GC Tooth Mousse, which has an active ingredient called CPP ACP that works very well to remineralize enamel.
    • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to rub the toothpaste into the teeth in a circular motion (not back and forth). Ideally, you should brush your teeth for three minutes each session.
    • Fluoride and desensitizing agents work even better if you do not rinse your mouth right away. Leave the toothpaste to act on your teeth for another three minutes before rinsing.
  2. Wipe your teeth so that they are dry. Then get a clean cotton swab. Place a large dot of the product on the tip of the swab and rub it onto the surface of your teeth. Leave the product on your teeth for the recommended length of time before rinsing your mouth out with water. [4]
    • These products usually contain potassium nitrate, which numbs the nerves in the teeth, limiting sensitivity. Two good products include AcquaSeal and Ultra EZ which can be purchased at the drugstore. You can also use them both before and after your whitening treatment.
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  3. About 30 minutes before your treatment, fill the tray with a desensitizing gel and place it on your teeth. When you are ready to begin your treatment simply take out the tray, rinse it out, and refill it with the bleaching agent. You will also want to rinse out your mouth to remove any gel residue. [5]
    • Make sure the whitening tray fits properly — it should only cover your teeth, not your gums. If it reaches the gums, some of the whitening agent could come in contact with them, causing increased sensitivity or even slight burns, which can be seen as a white contour along the gum line.
  4. About an hour before treatment take the suggested dosage of an anti-inflammatory medication, such as Advil or Aleve. Taking the medication this early allows it to kick in and start working before your procedure. You can continue the medication after the treatment, should you experience any lingering sensitivity. [6]
    • If you are unsure as to what medications to take, ask your dentist for a recommendation. In general ibuprofen works well on all types of teeth sensitivity.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Managing Discomfort During Treatment

  1. Most at-home teeth whitening kits use carbamide peroxide as the main bleaching ingredient. Peroxide is effective, but it can irritate the nerve endings of your teeth and cause sensitivity. Choose an in-home kit that contains a low peroxide level of 5 – 6%. A higher peroxide dose will not guarantee effectiveness and might cause a great deal of pain. [7]
    • There are a wide variety of at-home whitening options: strips, paint-ons, mouth trays with gel, whitening toothpaste, and even whitening gum and mouthwash. If you have any concerns about the safety of these products, ask your dentist.
    • If you do choose a tray-based whitening method, make sure that the tray fits securely over your teeth. If it is loose the gel can leak out and create widespread gum irritation and increased sensitivity.
  2. It may be tempting to use more gel to get quicker, whiter results. Don’t do it. Instead, follow the directions carefully and make the health of your mouth the priority. Using too much agent can cause gum irritation and even vomiting if swallowed.
  3. Extending the time beyond the package recommendations will not make your teeth any brighter or whiter. It will, however, possibly erode your tooth enamel, causing future issues with sensitivity and decay caused by fractures in the enamel. [8]
    • The recommended length of time will generally depend on the percentage of active peroxide, which varies from product to product.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Healing After Treatment

  1. For the first 24 – 48 hours after treatment your teeth will feel very sensitive, regardless of your previous dental history. It is best to avoid drinks that are either too hot or too cold. Try to drink and eat foods at room temperature. For example, instead of eating ice cream you might try some room temperature gelatin.
    • Even if you feel no pain after your procedure, it is best to be cautious and avoid exposing your teeth to extreme temperatures.
    • It is good if you can avoid acidic foods and drinks as well. Soft drinks and citrus juices can irritate and inflame a healing mouth. [9]
    • You should also avoid smoking and drinking or eating colored foods, so as not to stain the enamel, which is very vulnerable for the first 48 hours.
  2. It is always advisable to use a soft-bristled brush on your teeth before and after whitening procedures. Brush in a gentle circular motion. The soft bristles will clean your teeth without irritating the surface of your teeth. You will want to wait 30 minutes to an hour after your treatment before brushing your teeth. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth out with water, if desired. [10]
    • When rinsing and brushing, use lukewarm water to minimize your discomfort.
    • If you are not comfortable brushing, you can place some toothpaste on a cotton swab and apply a thin layer to your teeth before going to bed. This will give you the benefit of fluoride without the irritation. [11]
  3. Particular brands of toothpaste and mouthwashes contain varying degrees of fluoride. It is believed that fluoride helps to block the pain signals from your oral nerves, leading to less sensitivity. If you use fluoride, try not to eat anything for 30 minutes as this will give it more time to take effect. [12]
    • Apply a fluoride gel over your teeth for five minutes and do not swallow. This will also help to increase salivary flow for a better remineralization of the enamel.
    • Some good examples of mouthwashes and rinses that contain fluoride include: Listerine Fluoride Defense, Fluoride Listerine, Colgate Neutrafluor and Colgate Fluorigard.
  4. Immediately after your treatment, pull out your pack of sugar-free gum. Begin chewing a single piece at a time. Every 10 minutes spit out the chewed piece and begin working on a new one. Do this until you go through the whole pack. This cycle is believed to lessen tooth sensitivity after whitening treatments. [13]
    • Avoid this method if you have stomach problems or if you did not eat anything. Mastication (chewing) influences the release of the gastric acid in your stomach, increasing the risk of ulcers.
  5. It is generally okay to have one to two tray-based or dental office whitening procedures per year. Any more than that can compromise the integrity of your teeth and will increase sensitivity. [14] Try to consider whitening as a serious procedure and not a regular part of your dental routine.
    • If you are using whitening toothpastes or strips at home, try to cut back to every other day. This will give your teeth more time to recover in between treatments.
  6. If your teeth continue to bother you more than 48 hours after your procedure, it’s a good idea to make a dental appointment. Your dentist will take a close look at your teeth to determine whether the whitening amped up your sensitivity or if there is another underlying issue, such as a cavity. [15]
    • When you visit your dentist it may be helpful to bring along the packaging or the actual strips/toothpaste that you use to whiten at home. Your dentist may be able to recommend a better alternative.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's the best kind of brush if I have sensitive teeth?
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Expert Answer
    Your bristles should be soft or extra soft. A medium- or a hard-bristle brush is really not recommended because it will be scrub too much enamel off, which can irritate your teeth. So it's best if you use soft or extra-soft bristles. Keep in mind, it's best to use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth if this is a problem you're dealing with. Something like Sensodyne will be much easier for you to use.
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  • Question
    What is the most gentle toothpaste?
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
    Tu Anh Vu, DMD
    Board Certified Dentist
    Expert Answer
    Choose a toothpaste that's labeled for sensitivity. For instance, Sensodyne is a great option.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Just remember that sensitivity should be limited in duration, only lasting 24-48 hours. You will get through this.
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      Warnings

      • It is possible to become addicted to teeth whitening. An addiction of this type falls under the category of a body dysmorphic disorder(BDD). If you feel as if your desire for teeth whitening is impacting all aspects of your life or impacting your health in a negative way, seek help from a medical professional. [16]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/teeth-whitening/
      2. ↑ https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2017/12/senstive-teeth.php
      3. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23959376/
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23959376/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3414241/
      7. ↑ https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-teeth-whitening-safe/
      9. ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/9-foods-that-damage-your-teeth
      1. ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
      2. ↑ https://teeth.org.au/teeth-whitening
      3. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/fluoride-varnish
      4. ↑ https://www.dentalhealth.org/sugar-free-chewing-gum
      5. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/teeth-whitening
      6. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-whitening/
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-excess/201604/obsessive-teeth-whitening-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To cope with teeth whitening sensitivity, avoid very hot or cold drinks and food for the first 24-48 hours after treatment. Chew sugar-free gum starting right after your treatment, and switch to a new piece every 10 minutes, as this may help lessen your sensitivity right away. Also, choose toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride to remineralize your teeth, which may help them be less sensitive over time, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating your teeth more. Read on for tips from our Dental co-author on how to help prevent the sensitivity from occurring!

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        Mar 11, 2019

        "I have hypoplasia. I used whitening strips on a whim, and afterward I felt intense pain (which is to be expected ..." more
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