4 Tricks for Whiter Teeth

A brighter, whiter smile makes you look fresher, healthier, younger—ta-da awesome. But anyone who's tried teeth whitening knows that some methods are kind of painful to your teeth and gums. That sensitivity to whitening products is temporary, but it can be intense. Luckily for you, dentists have a few things you can do to stop, or at least decrease, the ache.


• Do some prep work: A toothpaste with potassium nitrate, like Sensodyne Full Protection, shores up the minerals in teeth and decreases pressure on the nerves, says Jeffrey M. Cole, a former president of the Academy of General Dentistry. He recommends brushing with one for at least two weeks before whitening, and before and after each treatment.

• Take your time: We understand—you want a blinding smile now. But skipping a day of whitening when your teeth are aching won't impede your progress. "You'll have the same result—doing it faster doesn't make teeth whiter," says Cole. And if you already know you have sensitive teeth, don't use at-home treatments that promise results in fewer than ten days.

• Go high-tech at home: Strong whiteners can be a pain, but the Pearl Gentle White uses a tiny ionic current to boost the power of the relatively mild gel—6 percent hydrogen peroxide—without increasing sensitivity. "You get the stain-lifting abilities of a much stronger bleach," says Los Angeles cosmetic dentist Rene Dell'Acqua.

• Pop the right painkiller: If you experience steady, allover throbbing, take two ibuprofen 30 minutes before your next whitening session. That means Advil or Motrin, not Tylenol, since acetaminophen isn’t nearly as effective, according to cosmetic dentist Jeff Golub Evans.