Having sensitive teeth can be a burden when you're trying to eat and drink, but it can also get in the way of certain cosmetic improvements. If you want whiter teeth but know that your teeth are currently sensitive to touch, cold, or whitening, that doesn't mean that you have to give up on the idea entirely. Here's what you should know about your sensitive teeth and the option that your dentist can provide that will still give you the results you want.

Why You Shouldn't Whiten If It Hurts

Teeth can become sensitive or painful for a wide variety of reasons. Nerve pain, damage, and weakened enamel are some of the more common causes. In all three of these situations, forcing yourself to put up with the discomfort you experience from whitening is a poor idea.

When used on healthy teeth, tooth whitening is a safe procedure. However, if your teeth aren't in the best shape, whitening could make your problems worse. For example, weakened enamel can be further damaged by using tooth whitening products. This is why these products always state that you should make sure your mouth is in good shape with a dentist before you use them.

Alternative

Dentists do provide whitening services, and some of them may be an option for you. However, there's an even better alternative that your dentist can provide.

Dental veneers can give you the look you want without harming your teeth. They're small discs of porcelain that are attached to the front of your teeth. They can be shaped, sized, and colored to your specifications, so you'll get the bright white smile you're looking for, but you can also have misshapen teeth and gaps be hidden behind veneers.

As an added bonus, veneers can help to protect your teeth from further damage. Once the porcelain is adhered to your teeth, it's firmly in place and will act like an extra layer of protection from plaque, bacteria, and cold or hot triggers for your pain.

What to Expect

Getting veneers is a surprisingly easy process. You'll visit your dentist a few times so that you can pick the exact veneers that you want, as well as to have your teeth cleaned and health assessed. If everything looks good, your dentist will be able to attach your veneers on your next visit back, after they've been delivered to your dentist's office.

Veneers are attached with dental cement and don't require drilling or insertion or anything. As a result, it's a one-day procedure that you can go home from, and typically doesn't require anesthetic, either.

Dental veneers can improve the look of your smile and help to protect you from the discomfort you're experiencing, too. If you want whiter teeth and whitening isn't an option for you, talk to your dentist about veneers instead. Reach out to dental clinics like Folsom Family Dental for more information.

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