I totally get the anxiety about doing permanent damage—honestly, that’s what stopped me from using the strips more than twice. I know everyone says sensitive toothpaste helps, but it took at least a week for me to notice any difference, and even then it was pretty subtle. I actually called my dentist (felt silly, but whatever) and they said to stop using the strips if the pain was sharp like that. I know whitening at the dentist is pricier, but for me, the peace of mind was worth saving up for instead of risking long-term sensitivity. It’s tempting to just “push through,” but sometimes your teeth really are trying to tell you something...
It’s tempting to just “push through,” but sometimes your teeth really are trying to tell you something...
I get what you mean, but I actually had a different experience. I used the strips every other day instead of daily and that helped a lot with the sensitivity. My ortho said spacing it out can make a difference for some people. It’s not instant, but it worked better for me than just stopping altogether. Maybe it depends on how sensitive your teeth are to begin with?
Spacing them out worked for me too, but I had to go even slower—like every three days. My teeth are drama queens when it comes to sensitivity. I also switched to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which made a surprising difference. Honestly, I think everyone’s pain threshold is just all over the place.
My teeth are drama queens when it comes to sensitivity.
Same here—mine act like I’ve just poured hot sauce on them if I even look at whitening strips the wrong way. I actually tried doing them once a week for a while, and even then, I’d get that zappy pain. Sensitive toothpaste helped a bit, but honestly, I still wince if I eat ice cream for a couple days after. I guess some of us just have diva teeth.
Honestly, whitening strips make my wallet and my teeth both cry. I tried the cheaper brands thinking maybe it’d be less harsh, but nope—still got that lightning-bolt pain. Even with sensitive toothpaste, it lingers for days. I’m starting to think the “natural” route (baking soda, coconut oil, whatever) might be safer for sensitive types like us... or at least cheaper when you’re buying ice cream to soothe your mouth after.
