You may have heard us mention this before, but 1 in 8 Americans struggle with tooth sensitivity. If you’re the “1,” just know you’re not alone, and we know how you feel. It can be so hard to deal with everything that comes with sensitive teeth....having to chew on one side, only being able to use lukewarm water to brush your teeth, avoiding hot and cold treats, not being able to whiten your teeth....unfortunately, the list goes on and on.

We're here to remind you that incredible, innovative solutions exist! Teeth whitening for sensitive teeth does, in fact, exist. Thanks to natural whitening toothpaste (aka Davids hydroxyapatite toothpaste) and other cutting-edge products like PAP teeth whitening, you can achieve a bright white smile while simultaneously treating your sensitivity. But as you begin your whitening journey with sensitive teeth, there are a few important things to remember. Read on to discover our top dos and don’ts as you work towards your brightest smile yet!

do: follow the instructions on the package

Product warnings exist for a reason. With most peroxide-based whitening products such as mouthwash, strips, and gel, you’ll find strict instructions on how long to leave the product on your teeth.

When you leave chemical whitening agents on your teeth too long, not only can it wear down your enamel (causing uncomfortable teeth sensitivity), but the whitening agents will stop working their magic. The process tends to hit a “plateau” such that your teeth tend to stay at the same shade. To make sure that your teeth are actually getting whiter, you can take progress photos holding a tooth “shade guide” next to your teeth.

You’ll notice that methods of teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, such as PAP teeth whitening, have more lenient instructions. These methods are designed for sensitive teeth, using whitening agents that don’t damage your enamel over time. So you can use these products often without worrying!

do: seek out teeth whitening for sensitive teeth

Yep, you read that right. Teeth whitening for sensitive teeth actually exists.

Even if you don’t have sensitive teeth day-to-day, it’s no secret that conventional teeth whitening methods can cause some serious sensitivity. That’s why we encourage everyone to seek out teeth whitening for sensitive teeth!

These new, innovative methods use PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid) in place of peroxides. While peroxides release free radicals (unstable atoms) that can damage your enamel and lead to sensitivity, PAP does not. Plus, many PAP products (along with our natural whitening toothpaste) are formulated with hydroxyapatite to remineralize your enamel and reverse sensitivity (more on that below). The result is a sparkling white smile that feels as good as it looks.

do: master the basics + remineralize with hydroxyapatite

Teeth whitening won’t do much if you’re not prioritizing oral care on a daily basis. Teeth discoloration occurs from daily wear and tear. Different foods, drinks, and habits can wear down your enamel over time, causing it to turn yellow (or even gray) over time. The best way to combat discoloration is to optimize your mouth-friendly diet and hone in on the oral care basics.

• limit hard and/or acidic foods and drinks
• avoid alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine
• brush twice daily with our natural whitening toothpaste, infused with hydroxyapatite
• floss daily with our dental floss, infused with xylitol and hydroxyapatite
• scrape your tongue

These habits will protect your enamel while delivering a daily dose of hydroxyapatite, a revolutionary ingredient that works to remineralize your enamel from the inside out. When it comes to teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, your products should always incorporate hydroxyapatite. This hero ingredient has been proven to reduce sensitivity by plugging “holes” in your enamel to protect your tooth’s center nerve (and everything surrounding it). Additionally, research shows that hydroxyapatite embodies its own whitening powers, revealing a brighter smile without help from other ingredients.

don’t: blindly follow social media trends

Social media trends will have you slathering purple toothpaste all over your pearly whites or applying hydrogen peroxide directly to your teeth with a cotton ball. We’re here to tell you that these are not reliable methods of teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.

On one hand, purple toothpaste uses color theory to “mimic” the appearance of a whiter smile until saliva comes around and wipes the lingering residue off your enamel. On the other hand, applying hydrogen peroxide directly to your teeth can cause serious damage to your enamel which can have long-lasting negative effects.

Instead of following advice from social media, we recommend sticking to methods that are lab-tested (like our natural whitening toothpaste) and gentle (like PAP teeth whitening).

don’t: skip your dentist appointment

If sensitivity is getting in the way of your day-to-day life (whether you’re following a whitening routine or not), we recommend visiting your dentist. They’ll be able to take X-rays and analyze your gums to see if something deeper might be causing your sensitivity. It could be that your gums have receded to expose some sensitive nerve endings, or your enamel has been weakened enough to cause a cavity. You don’t want to overlook these things or let them progress to the point where they can no longer be reversed!

don’t: ignore painful messages from your mouth

As annoying as they are, your sensitive teeth are always trying to tell you something. We know it can be tempting to ignore painful messages from your mouth for the sake of a bright white smile, but we urge you to (1) get to the root of your sensitivity and if it’s safe (2) opt for whitening methods that actually nurture your smile.

Remember, it is possible to find teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.

And we’re happy to provide you with whitening methods that nurture your long-term oral health. To accompany our natural whitening toothpaste, we’re launching an exciting new whitening product this year. Can you guess what it is? We’ll give you one hint: its star ingredient starts with a “p” and ends with a “p”!

buy now.