I've had similar issues with sensitivity, so I totally get it. My dentist suggested rubbing a little coconut oil on my teeth after brushing—it sounds odd, but it actually helped soothe the ache and gave a subtle brightness overnight. Might be worth a shot?
I've heard about coconut oil pulling before, but never thought of just rubbing it directly on teeth after brushing... interesting idea. I've tried activated charcoal toothpaste a few times—definitely brightens things up overnight, but I found it made my teeth feel even more sensitive afterward. Maybe it's just me? My kiddo has sensitive teeth too, and our dentist recommended using a toothpaste with hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride. Seems to help with sensitivity and gives a gentle whitening effect over time without being harsh.
Has anyone else noticed certain whitening methods making their sensitivity worse? Curious if it's just my family or a common thing...
"I've tried activated charcoal toothpaste a few times—definitely brightens things up overnight, but I found it made my teeth feel even more sensitive afterward."
Yeah, I've noticed the same thing with activated charcoal. It seems to strip away more than just stains... maybe it's a bit too abrasive for some of us? Personally, I've had better luck using baking soda mixed with water occasionally. It's gentle enough not to trigger sensitivity, but still gives a noticeable brightness. Might be worth trying if charcoal feels too harsh.
I've also experienced sensitivity with activated charcoal, which made me wonder if it's actually wearing away enamel over time.
I've tried that too, and it does feel gentler. Have you noticed any long-term effects with baking soda? I've read mixed things about its abrasiveness, so I'm still a bit cautious about using it regularly..."Personally, I've had better luck using baking soda mixed with water occasionally."
I've had similar thoughts about baking soda myself. A couple years back, I started using it once or twice a week because I heard it was a gentler alternative to the charcoal craze. At first, everything seemed great—my teeth definitely felt smoother and looked a little brighter. But after a few months, I noticed some mild sensitivity creeping in, especially with cold drinks. Nothing crazy, but enough to make me pause and rethink my routine.
Ended up chatting with my dentist about it, and she explained that baking soda is fine occasionally, but using it too often can still wear down enamel—just more slowly than charcoal might. She recommended spacing it out more, like once every two weeks or so, and being extra gentle when brushing with it. Ever since scaling back, the sensitivity has pretty much disappeared.
So yeah...it's probably fine in moderation, but definitely smart to stay cautious and listen to your teeth (as weird as that sounds).
