Pearly Whites Without Pain: Reduce Teeth Whitening Sensitivity

By: StacyAtZeel

It seems that only weeks ago we peered at Miss Lindsay Lohan's yellowed grin. (That's because it was just weeks ago.) Yet in the blink of a Hollywood eye, the starlet's smile has morphed from blah to beautiful as proven by her renewed white teeth.

Tweeting a photo to her fans, Lindsay gave credit to Dr. Bill Dorfman for his masterful dental touch. "Thanks Dr. Dorfman for the zoom," she wrote, referring to the teeth whitening procedure known as Zoom! whitening. "My gums are so sore though!"

While Zoom! is a popular whitening procedure, as Lindsay cautions, it (along with other whitening treatments) can cause teeth to become extra sensitive. Lucky for you, our carefully vetted team of dental experts-some who have worked with celebrities like Jennifer Hudson and Donald Trump-are here to tell you how to make teeth whitening more pleasant.

Dr. Debra Glassman, New York, NY

Dr. Glassman agrees that some whitening procedures can create oral sensitivities. But as Dr. Glassman explains, "Now we can do fluoride treatments before whitening, and can use procedures that in our experience cause little, if any, sensitivity." A-list patients like Diane Sawyer, Jennifer Hudson and Randy Jackson can attest.

Dr. Christohpher Baer, Aurora, Colo.

There are a number of ways to make teeth whitening more comfortable, begins Dr. Baer, a top rated dentist in the United States. Dr. Baer insists upon a comprehensive evaluation to first determine the root of the discomfort. Many times, sensitivity-reducing toothpastes can help prior to a whitening session. A fluoride gel can also help prevent or minimize tooth sensitivity.

Dr. Michael Apa, New York, NY

With clients like Matt Dillon, Donald Trump and the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Apa knows a thing or two about delivering star-worthy treatment. "Whitening is not all that painful," says Dr. Apa, comparing the sensation as something like a mild sunburn on your teeth. Dr. Apa recommends over the counter pain killers like Aleve or Tylenol every four to six hours to reduce any discomfort.

Have you ever had Zoom! teeth whitening or any other procedure to make your smile sparkle? How sensitive were your teeth, and did you use any preliminary measures to prevent pain?