Interesting point about acidic foods...but did your dentist mention anything about coffee? I've got my first whitening session next week and I'm kinda nervous—wondering if cutting out coffee beforehand might help with sensitivity too. Thoughts?
Cutting back on coffee beforehand can definitely help reduce sensitivity, since caffeine tends to dry out your mouth and make teeth more prone to discomfort. My dentist recommended limiting coffee a few days before and after whitening...worked pretty well for me.
"My dentist recommended limiting coffee a few days before and after whitening...worked pretty well for me."
Glad to hear that helped you! I'm scheduled for my first professional whitening next week, and honestly, the thought of cutting back on coffee is making me a bit anxious already. But your experience gives me some hope. I remember when I tried those at-home strips, my teeth got super sensitive—probably because I didn't change my coffee habits at all. Lesson learned, I guess... Thanks for sharing your tip; it's reassuring to know it made a difference for someone else.
I totally get the coffee anxiety...been there myself. But honestly, I didn't notice a huge difference when I cut back on coffee before whitening. My dentist said it's more about avoiding staining foods and drinks right after the procedure, rather than before. I did stick to clear or lighter-colored beverages for a couple days afterward, and that seemed to help a lot more than cutting back beforehand.
Also, about sensitivity—my teeth were pretty sensitive after professional whitening too, even though I was careful with coffee. My dentist recommended using a sensitivity toothpaste for about a week before and after, and that made a noticeable difference. Might be worth trying if you're worried about sensitivity again. Anyway, good luck with your appointment...hope it goes smoothly!
Totally agree about the sensitivity toothpaste—it really helps. In my experience, though, cutting back on coffee beforehand can still make a slight difference, especially if you're a heavy coffee drinker. I've noticed patients who reduce intake a few days before whitening tend to have less stubborn stains to deal with afterward. But yeah, the key is definitely avoiding dark drinks right after the procedure...that's when teeth are most vulnerable. Good luck!
