Teeth whitening is one of the most popularcosmetic treatments, with one in five people choosing to bleach, according to a 2020 Australian Dental Association survey of 25,000 people. But with so many products out there, it can be hard to know what to choose to whiten your teeth. And, if you have sensitive teeth, it can be even more of a problem. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you with our best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth guide. But first, let’s take a quick look at what it means to have sensitive teeth.
What is tooth sensitivity?
While it’s not uncommon to have sensitive teeth, it can limit teeth whitening options to a degree. Tooth sensitivity is to do with the protective layersof the teeth wearing down, namely the enamel that protects the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line and the cementum that covers the tooth roots below the gums.
When enamel or cementum wear away or is damaged, it exposes the dentin below. This enables fluid to flow into microscopic canals in the dentin, which are affected by heat and cold, causing pain and sensitivity in the tooth nerves.
What causes sensitive teeth?
Several things can cause tooth sensitivity, including:
- Worn tooth enamel caused by brushing aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Tooth decay, broken teeth and leaky fillings that expose the tooth’s dentin
- Grinding the teeth at night (bruxism)
- Tooth erosion due to acidic drinks and food
- Gum recession leaving the surface of the roots exposed
- Post dental sensitivity after teeth whitening, which is usually temporary
If you’re considering whitening your teeth at home and you have sensitive teeth, then it’s always best to consult with your dentist first. They can examine your teeth and gums to ensure your mouth is healthy before whitening your teeth and give you sound advice about the best products to use to ensure you have a safe and comfortable experience. Here are our top picks of products to whiten sensitive teeth at home.
Best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth
Philips Zoom
Philips Zoom is one of the most popular teeth whitening products to use at home and is designed to whiten teeth with little to no sensitivity. According to your preference, they offer a choice of at-home whitening kits that can be worn during the day or overnight while you sleep.
Philips Zoom! Day White – $79.95 3 Syringe kit
Day White is the perfect choice for those wanting to wear their trays for as short a time as possible during the day. The trays are worn once or twice a day for 30-90 minutes for results in just two weeks. Teeth can lighten by up to six shades. According to Philips, their products are more than your average teeth whitening products. Specially formulated gels protect tooth enamel, lessen sensitivity, and help improve tooth lustre. This document explains the sciencebehind Philips Zoom take-home whitening.
The product has excellent reviews, but it’s advisable to wear a custom mouthguard available from a dentist for the best results. These provide a better fit, ensuring the gel remains on the teeth and doesn’t irritate the gums.
Philips Zoom! Nite White – $79.95 3 Syringe kit
If you’d rather wear trays at night to whiten your teeth while you sleep, Nite White is the best option. It produces noticeable results in two weeks and is available in different strengths.
This product also whitens teeth by up to six shades and contains 10% carbamide peroxide, so it’s ideal for sensitive teeth. It should be worn nightly for 4-6 hours or daily for 1-2 hours for more subtle teeth whitening. The reviews are excellent, with people commenting on its convenience and that it’s ideal for sensitive teeth and long-lasting results.
Smilie Teeth Whitening – $98 current price – usually $129
Although Smilie Teeth Whitening falls within the higher price bracket, we had to include it in our best teeth whitening guide for sensitive teeth. You get a lot of bang for your buck, plus Smilie’s 100% money-back guarantee backs the product.
The product, developed by leading Australian Dental Association dentist Dr Daniel Tankard, is designed to be gentle on tooth enamel, making it ideal for sensitive teeth and gums and is said to whiten teeth twenty-five times better than leading teeth whitening products.
The kit contains everything that’s needed to transform your smile and includes:
- Three gel whitening pens (enough for 30 treatments)
- Dual LED light device
- USB charging cable
- Shade guide to track your progress
The product has many 5-star reviews, with one reviewer who had teeth heavily stained from drinking coffee all their life and an unfortunate mix of genetics, achieving at least three shades whiter. Most reviewers praised the product’s ease of use and expressed amazement that they could see results in just one whitening session lasting 16 minutes, and others liked that it is a vegan treatment.
White Glo White Accelerator Blue Light Teeth Whitening System– $29.99 complete kit
Another great teeth whitening product that claims to achieve teeth that are whiter by up to eight shades in just seven days. The treatment is easy and convenient and involves filling the whitening tray with gel, mounting the tray to the Blue Light device, placing the tray in the mouth, turning it on and leaving it until the light goes out automatically (10 minutes), rinsing with water to reveal a whiter brighter smile.
Most users praised this treatment and said they were pleased with the results, instant noticeability and no sensitivity. Given its affordable price, it has to be worth giving it a go!
Hismile PAP+ Strips–$39.20 for 14 strips
The Hismile teeth whitening strips are quick and convenient to use. Simply place them over your teeth while you’re applying your makeup or watching your favourite TV show. After 30 minutes, remove them and rinse to reveal teeth that look instantly whiter and brighter.
Hismile whitening strips are a good choice for sensitive teeth because they contain an alternative to hydrogen peroxide – Phthalimidoperoxycaproicacid, or PAP for short. This helps prevent sensitivity or irritation, which is often the case with hydrogen peroxide products. They have some excellent reviews with people saying they feel comfortable, show a visible difference after one use, and, most importantly, don’t cause any pain.
Active Wow 24K White Easy AF Teeth Whitening Pen With Mint Oil – $22.70 2.5ml
For teeth whitening on the go, Active Wow takes some beating. It’s a great option to touch up your smile when needed during the day. Simply brush it on the teeth, let it dry, and it will dissolve of its own accord. It’s best to avoid drinking or eating anything for an hour after using Active Wow. It’s available in fresh mint or with activated charcoal. Users raved about its convenience and how it’s an ideal solution to whiten teeth slowly and gently without experiencing sensitive teeth or gums. They also loved its minty taste.
Sensodyne True White Mint Toothpaste–$15.02 85g tube
Essentially whitening toothpaste only has 2 minutes to work, so it isn’t as effective as a product that is left on longer such as teeth whitening strips or a whitening gel. That said, it’s a handy product to have in your bathroom cabinet and when used two or three times a week, will help to maintain the whiteness.
Some teeth whitening toothpaste exacerbates tooth sensitivity, so it’s best to look for one that’s non-abrasive and gentle. True Mint has the lowest abrasion formula in the entire Sensodyne range and, when used twice daily, is proven to reduce tooth sensitivity. This toothpaste also whitens gently, removes stains, and leaves behind a protective shield that helps prevent new stains from forming.
The reviews are good for this reputable, well-established brand of toothpaste, with people loving the natural white look it achieves and the fresh minty taste. One user, however, stated that it could dry the lips or irritate the gums if used daily.
So, there you have it… our best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth guide.
Of course, if you don’t want the hassle of whitening your teeth yourself and are looking for speedy results, your best teeth whitening solution is to book an appointment with Dental 266. We offer in-chair (at our clinic) teeth whitening using SDI Pola White which produces impressive results in one hour. We also provide Pola Night at-home whitening trays, specifically utilising Pola Desensitising Technology to protect the gums’ nerves and nerve endings.
Since the whitening gel contains carbamide peroxide in different levels of concentration, our dentists can ensure you achieve the best results without suffering tooth sensitivity.
Do you want a whiter smile?
Why not schedule an initial consultation today to discuss the best teeth whitening treatment for your sensitive teeth. At Dental 266, your smile is in safe hands with dentist led teeth whitening that produces predictable and safe results. Feel free to call us on 02 9051 0600 or use our online booking system.
References
7 News.com.au – Dentists to Keep Eye on Teeth Whitening
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/dentists-to-keep-eye-on-teeth-whitening-c-3876138#:~:text=Teeth%20whitening%20is%20popular%20in,the%20supervision%20of%20a%20dentist.
Colgate – What Causes Tooth Sensitivity and How to Treat It
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-sensitivity/what-causes-sensitive-teeth
Up to Date – Sleep-Related Bruxism
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sleep-related-bruxism-tooth-grinding#:~:text=DEFINITION%20Bruxism%20is%20defined%20as,to%20as%20sleep%2Drelated%20bruxism.
