Have you ever heard the saying “too much of a good thing can be a bad thing”? It’s true for a lot of things, especially when it comes to our teeth! dental staining is often linked to drinking too much coffee, tea, and red wine. As much as we love these things, its best to limit them to maintain a bright smile! Of course, these aren’t the only factors—other causes of dental staining include tobacco use, dark-colored foods, poor oral hygiene, and aging.
Luckily, there are several methods of teeth whitening that restore teeth to their natural brightness. Whitening toothpastes, gels, trays, and pens are constantly being replenished at department stores, but are they actually producing results? Is professional teeth whitening over-rated?
Check out this blog to learn which teeth whitening option is the most effective!
Professional Teeth Whitening
For patients who desire immediate and dramatic results, in-office teeth whitening is the way to go. However, no option is perfect. Here are the pros and cons of professional teeth whitening:
Advantages
A major benefit of choosing in-office teeth whitening is that a dental professional oversees the process. Oftentimes, people experience negative side effects of their over-the-counter whitening products because of overuse and misuse.
Dentists know exactly how much whitening gel a patient’s teeth can handle and how long to leave it on the teeth. This limits the possibility of experiencing dental sensitivity and other oral health problems later. Dental professionals also know how to bring your smile up to your standards. We can help you attain that perfect shade.
Additionally, in-office teeth whitening is convenient. Store-bought products require time and effort that many of us don’t have. When you think about the fact that you could visit the dentist one time to achieve your desired results, it just makes more sense.
Professional teeth whitening also provides quick results. For example, our in-office whitening system creates a smile that’s up to eight shades brighter in less than one hour! No over-the-counter products offer those results, or anything close!
Disadvantages
The phrase “you get what you pay for” rings true in this situation. Professional teeth whitening tends to be more expensive than store-bought products, but the final results speak for themselves.
Patients may also experience slight sensitivity for a of couple days after the procedure.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
So, you want to do it yourself? This option comes with advantages and disadvantages as well!
Advantages
Store-bought whitening products are relatively safe as long as the person follows the instructions carefully. Additionally, over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, trays, and pens are less expensive than in-office whitening procedures. People also find that store-bought products are more convenient as they can work them into their busy schedules, rather than working around a dentist’s availability.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of store-bought whitening products include a need for consistency, long-awaited results, less dramatic outcomes, and risk of misuse. However, some people do have great experiences with over-the-counter teeth whitening products.
Teeth Whitening in Denver
The best way to begin your teeth whitening process is to visit a local dentist for a cleaning and oral health evaluation. Once complete, the dentist can provide tips and information on which type of teeth whitening is the most effective and safest for your smile.
To meet with one of our professional and compassionate dentists, contact our office today at 303-534-2626.
