Plenty of people tell me they’d love whiter teeth but they’ve tried something years ago that hurt, and they’re not going back.
Fair enough. But sensitivity isn’t random, and it isn’t something you just have to put up with. It comes from particular places on the tooth — and those places can be protected.
Tell me when you book, not on the day. It changes how I set your appointment up.
The gumline, where gums have receded. Once the gum pulls back, the surface underneath is far more exposed than enamel is. That’s the spot most people feel.
The tips of the teeth, where they’ve worn. Usually from grinding. As the edge wears down the nerves sit closer to the surface, so they’re more exposed and a little more reactive.
Twenty years of doing this and it’s nearly always one or both.
I cover the problem areas. I do this for everyone as a matter of course — the receded gumline and any worn tips are protected before gel goes anywhere near them. If you’ve told me you’re sensitive, I simply take extra care over it. It’s the part a one-size-fits-all kit can never do.
The gel has desensitisers built into it. Not added afterwards as an apology — they’re in the formula, working the whole time.
I can add more during your treatment. If something starts to niggle partway through, I don’t have to stop and hope. I add extra desensitiser and we carry on. It helps a lot.
Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, twice a day, for a week beforehand. I’ve tried most of them over the years and it’s the best on the market. About ten dollars, and it genuinely changes how the appointment goes.
Keep it going for a few days afterwards too.
Don’t wait to see if it passes. The sooner you tell me, the more I can do about it — and I’ll do whatever I can to make you more comfortable.
If you do feel something afterwards it’s temporary, and it typically clears within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Avoid anything very hot or very cold for the first day.
A small number of people feel it a little longer. If that’s you, call me — I’d rather hear from you than have you wonder.
Custom trays put you in charge of the pace — lower-concentration gel, shorter sessions, and a break whenever you want one.
They’re slow, genuinely slow if you start from scratch. But for someone who has had a bad experience before, that control can be worth more than speed.
If your sensitivity isn’t about temperature, see your dentist before you book.An ache that lingers, a tooth that throbs, pain when you bite — that’s a different thing, and whitening isn’t the right first step for it. Get it looked at, then come and see me.
There’s more on the FAQ page, and the laser whitening page walks through the appointment itself.
Appointments generally Tuesday–Saturday · By appointment only
Need another day? Just ask — I’ll always do my best to accommodate you.
Questions? Call or text 021 630 907