Totally agree, gels were way better for me too. Fluoride felt kinda harsh after whitening, like my teeth were extra sensitive to it or something. Anyone else notice how pricey those gels can get at the dentist though? I ended up buying a similar remineralizing gel online for way cheaper...worked just as well. Guess my teeth are budget-conscious too, lol. Did you guys find any affordable alternatives that actually helped with sensitivity?
"I ended up buying a similar remineralizing gel online for way cheaper...worked just as well."
Interesting, I tried an online remineralizing gel too, but my experience wasn't as smooth. Maybe I picked the wrong brand or something, but it didn't really help much with sensitivity—actually made my gums feel kinda irritated. Ended up switching to a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth (the potassium nitrate kind), and that seemed gentler overall. Guess everyone's teeth are picky in their own way...
Yeah, teeth are weirdly particular. I had a similar issue with an online gel—thought I'd save some cash, but after two applications, my gums were like "nope." Switched to a fluoride rinse instead, and it was way less harsh. Honestly, I think some of those cheaper gels skimp on ingredients or something. Or maybe it's just luck of the draw?
I'm still curious about professional whitening though. Did you guys notice if the sensitivity afterward was temporary or did it linger around for a while? I've heard mixed reviews—some friends said it lasted only a few days, others complained for weeks. Kinda hesitant to drop cash on a professional treatment if I'm gonna end up eating ice cream like it's hot soup for a month, lol.
"Did you guys notice if the sensitivity afterward was temporary or did it linger around for a while?"
Mine was pretty temporary, thankfully. I had professional whitening done about a year ago, and the sensitivity lasted maybe three or four days tops. The dentist gave me this special toothpaste to use afterward, which seemed to help a lot. Honestly, I think it varies depending on your teeth and how strong the whitening solution is...might be worth asking your dentist if they can adjust the strength or something?
Mine hung around a bit longer, maybe a week or so, but it gradually got better each day. Like you mentioned, the toothpaste they recommended really helped ease things. Everyone's teeth react differently, so don't stress too much if yours takes a bit longer to settle down...it'll pass eventually. Just keep using that toothpaste and try to avoid super cold drinks for a while.
