1.
Make a plan. Talk to your dentist during your dental cleanings about your teeth whitening and pain management options. She will recommend some ideas to help minimize your pain. Be sure to bring up fluoride -- it's not just for kids! Fluoride treatments can strengthen your enamel and keep the peroxide on the surface of your teeth and keep the ouchies away.
2.
Pop an ibuprofen pill an hour or so before you get your whitening on. This will take the edge off and make any tooth sensitivity easier to deal with.
3.
Shop for an over-the-counter mouthwash, toothpaste or gel designed to help desensitize teeth. These products are designed for people who always have tooth pain (yikes!) and contain mild sedatives. No, your mouth won't feel like you just left the dentist chair -- but it will make the pain less noticeable if used regularly.
4.
Take off your whitening strip or gel tray after the amount of time listed on the directions. No, leaving whitening chemicals on your teeth won't make them whiter -- it'll just make you hurt more!
5.
Rinse your mouth out with lukewarm water immediately after whitening to get rid of any spillage. Extra whitening chemicals on your teeth and gums can cause major irritation. Better yet, stick to lukewarm water anytime you brush or drink water -- very hot and very cold water only makes the pain worse.
6.
Brush your chompers with a soft-bristled brush. These toothbrushes are easier on your teeth and are less abrasive on your tooth enamel.
Keep whitening chemicals off your gums. The peroxide and other chemicals in whitening products can get into tiny cuts in your gums and cause major, major pain.
Always discuss any tooth or gum pain, along with your planned pain remedies, with your dentist for her advice before proceeding.
