Is Teeth Whitening Appropriate for Sensitive Teeth?
People with sensitive teeth have to be careful when dealing with any kind of dental procedure. Signing up for a procedure without taking tooth sensitivity into consideration can lead to a lot of unnecessary discomfort.
Unfortunately for those with sensitive teeth, one of the procedures they have to approach carefully is teeth whitening. Whitening has become an essential procedure, not just for models and actors, but even for people doing regular jobs who just want to be able to smile with confidence every day. Does this mean that there's no hope for whiter teeth if you have sensitive teeth?
Degree of Sensitivity
Before other factors are considered, it's first important to consider the degree of sensitivity. Some people's teeth are only a little bit sensitive, while others are extremely sensitive to many stimuli. Other people are only sensitive to extreme heat or cold.
For people who only have mild tooth sensitivity, regular whitening is still a very viable option. You may need to be a bit more cautious compared to someone without sensitive teeth but it's unlikely that the procedure will cause significant levels of discomfort. People who are much more sensitive should first seek their dentist's approval.
Products for Sensitive Teeth
Another reason why people with sensitive teeth should not rule out whitening is the fact that there are different approaches to whitening. For instance, it may not be advisable for someone with extremely sensitive teeth to get an over-the-counter product, but they can still go to a dentist who will be able to monitor the procedure closely.
Additionally, there are whitening products that are specifically made for people with sensitive teeth. These products use milder ingredients that are unlikely to cause you serious discomfort. For some products, the secret is applying them for significantly shorter periods.
What if the Dentist Doesn't Recommend Whitening?
It's always a good idea to listen to the advice of a professional and it's no different in this case. However, when dentists don't recommend a procedure like whitening it's usually because of a serious underlying issue.
If your sensitive teeth, for instance, are caused by cavities or gum disease, professionals will recommend you wait until these issues have been sorted before attempting whitening. Unless these issues are treated, there is a risk that you'll experience a great deal of pain, or the issues may interfere with the healing process. The whitening process may also be less effective.
To learn more about teeth whitening, visit a website like http://www.lindendentalnaples.com.