One of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments is professional in-office teeth whitening. Teeth whitening can really be divided into three or maybe four categories. In-office teeth whitening refers to procedures done at your dental office. Take-home whitening kits are products that you can only get from a dentist and that can be personalized to the patient. Finally, the over the counter teeth whitening products are bought in stores and can either be products designed just for whitening (like whitening strips) or dental health products that also have a whitening effect (like toothpastes). In this article, we will discuss these different whitening options and the benefits of in-office teeth whitening.
In-Office Teeth Whitening Vs At-Home Whitening; Which Is Better
As we mentioned earlier, there are a few ways to whiten your teeth. Toothpaste and other dental care products like mouthwash that mention whitening are often the weakest forms of tooth whitening treatments. This is because the main goal of those products is to fight bacteria and help protect your teeth and gums. At-home whitening strips that you can buy at a pharmacy are usually stronger in terms of their whitening capability, but they provide some drawbacks. First, they are not as powerful as whitening products your dentist can provide you with. Second, you can mess up when using at-home whitening strips which can lead to an uneven effect. This has the opposite cosmetic effect and can draw attention to stains.
In terms of teeth whitening treatments your dentist can help with, there are two main categories. Some dentists will provide you with custom fitting trays that are molded to your teeth and can be brought home. Because of the custom fit there is a decreased risk that the whitening will be uneven. Other dentists provide in-office teeth whitening treatments. These treatments are done by your dental team and provide the most dramatic results, the longest lasting results, and the quickest results. These treatments are perfect to plan before an event. In fact, many dentists that provide these treatments will provide both the in-office treatment and take-home kits for touchups and maintenance.
How Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Work?
If you are whitening your teeth in-office, you will need to set up a cosmetic dental appointment. During the appointment, cheek retractors are used so that your teeth are exposed, similar to other dental treatments. Your dentist will put bleaching gel that contains hydrogen peroxide on to the surface of the teeth. Depending on the treatment, there may be a light that is shined on the bleaching gel that helps activate the ingredients within the gel. The treatment is very quick and your dentist will be able to see how many shades whiter your teeth are. Dentists can also do multiple rounds of teeth whitening gel to improve results.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Yes, millions of dentists use teeth whitening products and in-office teeth whitening treatments. As dentists, they would not want to use a treatment that puts your teeth or gums at risk of infection or decay. These treatments are very safe. Likewise home care treatments are safe as long as you follow the instructions carefully.
Schedule Teeth Whitening in Swampscott MA
Whiting Dental Arts provides cosmetic dental treatments for patients in the Swampscott Massachusetts area. If you are interested in scheduling teeth whitening, please give us a call.