2 Ways To Whiten Sensitive Teeth

28 January 2016
Categories: Dentist, Blog

If you suffer from dental sensitivity, you may feel that there is little you can do to improve the color of your teeth. Over-the-counter teeth whitening gels are sometimes associated with increased dental sensitivity. Nevertheless, even people with sensitive teeth have teeth whitening options. Here are a few of them:

Natural Whiteners

Natural teeth whiteners can be effective at lightening the color of your teeth, and they are typically not known to produce or exacerbate dental sensitivity. Here are a few natural teeth whiteners:

Coconut Oil

The same oil that is used in your favorite baking recipes can also be used to lighten your teeth. Coconut oil, which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, can be applied directly to your toothbrush to be used as a natural whitening toothpaste. However, the oil can also be used during the ancient Indian practice of oil pulling.

Oil pulling with coconut oil is not complicated. You simply place about a tablespoon of the oil in your mouth and move it around your mouth as you would mouthwash. As the oil comes in contact with oral bacteria, the microbes are trapped in the substance. When the oil is released in to a trashcan, the trapped bacteria are released with it. Thus, the oil helps remove the tooth-yellowing plaque in your mouth. In addition, coconut oil helps dilute and remove oil-based stains from your teeth.

Turmeric

Turmeric is the yellow spice that gives mustard its characteristic color. However, some people also use it as a natural toothpaste by simply dipping the moistened bristles of their toothbrush into the powdered spice and brushing as usual.

The mildly abrasive spice can gently polish away stains as you brush. However, be careful not to allow the turmeric to touch your countertops or clothing, it can be staining when applied to items other than teeth.

Veneers

Since veneers do not use peroxide solutions to whiten your teeth, they do not increase dental sensitivity. The veneers, which are thin pieces of tooth-shaped resin or porcelain, are bonded to the front of your teeth to conceal the discoloration.

Veneers are effective for all types of dental staining, even permanent staining that results from a birth defect or from the ingestion of medications, such as tetracycline.

If you suffer from dental sensitivity and are concerned about the color of your teeth, visit a cosmetic dentist in your area to determine the best teeth whitening options for you.

About Me

When I was a child and teenager, I always left the dentist's office with the great feeling of having no cavities. When I went away to college out-of-state, I had to switch to a new dentist in my area. It seemed like I was suddenly getting cavities and started wonder what my new dentist "was doing wrong". When I spoke to my mother about it, she reminded me that the reason I never had cavities when I was living it home was because she always made sure my siblings and I brushed and flossed daily and didn't eat too much sugar. I then realized that my late-night study sessions drinking sugary soda and my suddenly bad brushing habits were the true causes of my cavities. I have since learned a lot more about dental health I am eager to share with anyone who needs the advice!