Dental tooth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed by dentists at clinics like Family Dentist, and the treatment is often very successful in removing tooth stains. Tooth stains appear on the teeth as a thin material called pellicle covers the teeth each day and picks up coloring agents from foods and drinks. The dental enamel also contains tiny pores that fill in with the same sort of food debris. Dental whitening, with the use of peroxide agents, forces the pellicle layer to dissolve and the dental pores to release debris. When this happens, the pores remain open and this allows stimuli like hot and cold temperatures to reach the tooth nerves much more easily. This can cause quite a bit of sensitivity. If you want to reduce this sensitivity directly after your tooth whitening, then learn what you need to do.
Do Not Brush Your Teeth Right Away
If you receive a dental whitening treatment, then it is essential that you do not brush your teeth right away after the procedure is completed. Dental whitening can soften the tooth enamel and brushing over the softened enamel can damage it. Instead of brushing your teeth, create a gentle rinse for your mouth to clean it. Create the rinse by heating up about one-half cup of water in a small glass. Add one teaspoon of sea salt and five drops of tea tree oil to the mix.
The salt in the rinse will increase the pH of your mouth to make it difficult for bacteria to thrive and reproduce. It will also pull fluids out of the gums to reduce infection concerns. The tea tree oil is also a natural antimicrobial agent that will reduce the amount of bacteria that remain in your mouth. This will help to reduce cavity and gingivitis issues until you can comfortably brush your teeth.
Use your gentle rinse for the day after your dental whitening and start brushing again the next morning. Before you do this, make sure to pick up a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and gums. This toothpaste contains an ingredient that closes off the small open tubules in the dentin that allow stimuli signals to be sent to the nerves of the teeth. Closing these tubules keeps you from experiencing sharp pains when eating hot and cold foods. If you do not want to buy one of these toothpastes, then you can brush with baking soda and water or sea salt and water. This will help with the gentle removal of debris from the enamel. Also, use a soft toothbrush for at least a few weeks after the whitening is completed. You can either purchase a general use soft toothbrush from your local pharmacy or you can look for a variety that is marketed for use after oral surgery.
Ask For A Protective Coating
If you have received previous professional dental whitening treatments and have experienced sensitivity before, then make sure to tell your dentist. The professional may advise you to make multiple cosmetic dental appointments that are spread out several weeks from one another. This way, your dentist can reduce the strength or the concentration of the whitening solution to reduce sensitivity. You may also be given a weak whitening solution to use at home to complete the whitening process.
If you want white teeth within one or two appointments though, then this may not be the best option for you. In this case, you can speak with your dental professional about applying a coating over the teeth that will keep sensitivity at bay. There are two coating options available. The first option is the application of a fluoride varnish. The fluoride in the coating absorbs into the dental enamel over the course of several weeks to help strengthen the enamel to close off some of the open pores.
Your dentist can also offer a desensitizing coating that works much the same way as sensitivity toothpastes do. Basically, the varnish or coating seals off the dentin for a short period of time to reduce strong sensations and stimuli from reaching the tooth nerves.
Share22 February 2016
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
