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Ok, so lets start off with the bad news. Teeth whitening may give you the brilliant white smile you've always wanted, but there are a few teeth whitening side effects that come with this treatment option, such as tooth and gum sensitivity. But, there is some good news too.

The side effects are usually only very mild and there are plenty of things you can do to help reduce these effects. Read on to find out how...

The problems with tooth sensitivity

If you're unlucky, and suffer with sensitive teeth and gums, it's very likely that you'll also suffer from some mild discomfort during and after your whitening session. You may find that during the treatment, there are shooting pains in your teeth, which are commonly known as zingers.

These shooting pains are usually only mild, and they will fade as soon as the treatment had finished. After your treatment, you could also find that your teeth are slightly more sensitive than usual, and there may also be some additional discomfort when eating either hot or cold foods.

Both, the zingers, the pain during your treatment and those sensitive after effects can all be reduced if you use a specialist sensitive toothpaste before and after your whitening session. It's also a great idea to switch to a soft toothbrush after bleaching. Brushing with harder bristles may cause even more pain to the teeth and gums shortly after your session.

A great sensitivity tip

Cutting down on the amount of fruit and fruit juices you drink can also help to reduce your overall tooth sensitivity, as well as the sensitivity caused by tooth whitening. The acidity in the fruit wears away the tooth enamel and will eventually lead to tooth sensitivity issues.

Home bleaching

If you do opt for a home bleaching over a professional treatment, be sure that you don't leave the bleaching agent on for longer than is recommended. Again, this can cause additional pain and discomfort, especially for those who have existing sensitivity issues.

Make sure you read the label, and follow the instructions carefully. Leaving the bleach on for too long could cause discomfort and increase the likelihood or post-treatment side effects. Those with extra sensitive teeth may find that the milder home whitening kits are the most suitable. The mild bleaching agent will cause minimal discomfort during and after the treatment.

When using any form of bleaching agent, you need to be extra careful that you do not swallow any of it. Don't worry if you do swallow a tiny bit by accident, as this can happen from time to time, but be warned that you may feel slightly unwell afterwards. This may cause nausea or even a headache, so be extra careful during the application stage.

Remember... home whitening doesn't mean using whatever you've got lying around the house. The bleaching agents in home kits have been specially created to whiten your teeth. Using household whitening techniques like baking soda, lemon and bleaches etc. isn't recommended. Most people find that they suffer the most sever after effects if they do not use specially created whitening products.

A quick home bleaching tip

If you're using DIY trays to whiten your teeth, and you suffer with tooth and gum sensitivity, make sure that you're not using this technique too often. You should also shorten the bleaching time slightly to help reduce any risk of discomfort both during and after the bleaching session.

Creating a uniformed white smile

Some people find that when they first try a home DIY whitening product such as a bleaching tray or whitening strips they are left with uneven whitening. This is either caused by a non-uniform coverage of bleach, and ill-fitting trays and whitening strips. To avoid a techi-colour smile, always make sure that all of your teeth are covered with the bleaching agent, and/or that every tooth has contact with the whitening strip.

Remember...

If you have gum disease, or your teeth are extremely sensitive, be sure to consult your dentist before you use any in-house or home whitening kits. Teeth whitening isn't for everyone, and the treatment may irritate existing oral conditions.

We recommend... Smile 4 You Home Teeth Whitening