If you’re feeling less than confident in your smile thanks to tooth discoloration, you might be considering a teeth whitening treatment. However, sensitive teeth can hold you back. The good news is there are options to whiten teeth while keeping you more comfortable during and after treatment. Here are four tips for successful teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.

Talk to your dentist about sensitivity

You’ll want to speak to your dental care team about your sensitivity before you pursue any whitening treatment, whether at the dentist’s office or at home. Be very clear about:

• When you experience sensitivity: Do you only have issues when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks, or do you experience discomfort all the time?
• Where you experience sensitivity: Do you have trouble with a particular tooth, or is there discomfort across your entire gum line?
• If you’ve had previous dental work: If you haven’t been with your dentist long, be sure to mention any prior dental work you’ve had done, such as a root canal or wisdom teeth extraction, especially if it could contribute to your sensitivity.

With this information, your dentist can perform a comprehensive exam and recommend the best treatment. They may also insist on correcting dental issues like gum disease or filling a cavity before pursuing any whitening. Sometimes, this step alone can resolve issues with sensitivity enough that you can pursue a regular whitening treatment.

Change to a soft-bristle toothbrush

As you pursue whitening treatments, your dentist may recommend that you switch to a soft-bristle toothbrush. These brushes tend not to be as harsh on your teeth after treatment as they’re less likely to harm your enamel and gums, both common areas of sensitivity.

Ask for a less intense whitening at the dentist

Most dental offices whiten teeth using LED light technology and custom whitening gels. By understanding your sensitivity, your dentist may be able to adjust the settings of an in-office treatment so that it’s less severe on your teeth. In addition to changing the intensity of LED lights, your dentist may be able to alter the formula or put a special compound on teeth during treatment to lessen potential discomfort later.

Explore alternatives

If your sensitivity is so severe that professional or at-home treatments seem out of the question, you may want to explore alternatives alongside your dental care team. There are several options available, including:

• Veneers: Veneers are thin coverings that attach to the front of teeth. They can produce the intended result of a brighter smile without having to undergo whitening treatments. This cosmetic dentistry solution could also help alleviate tooth sensitivity in the future.
• Oil pulling: While not validated in studies, oil pulling, the process of swishing coconut or another oil between your teeth, has been associated with improving overall oral health and possibly whitening teeth as well.
• Dental bonding: If you only have stains or discoloration on a few teeth, dental bonding is a procedure that uses a composite material to cover minor imperfections. The composite is crafted to the shape and color of your natural teeth, so if one tooth is a bit less white, your dentist may be able to use bonding to brighten the surface and make it match the others.

The bottom line

While some dentists used to discourage whitening for patients with sensitive teeth, today’s treatment options make it easier than ever for these patients to get a brighter smile. Contact your local dentist and schedule an appointment to address concerns and get a treatment plan that’s tailored to your unique smile needs.