Over the past decade whiter teeth have become the norm, with consumers often identifying a brighter smile with youthfulness and good health. If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, teeth whitening may be an excellent choice. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which is right for you?
It depends on a few things: the level of whitening you’d like to achieve and the amount of time and expense you are willing to commit. We are able to whiten many of our patients’ smiles with much success, whether through in-office care or at-home treatments.
Many of our patients suffer from darkened teeth due to genetics, the natural aging process, steady drinking of coffee or tea, or nicotine stains from cigarettes. Some people may also have darkened teeth due to the use of certain medications. Almost all types of teeth stains can be effectively lightened using either professional dental whitening or over-the-counter treatments.
While both types of whitening have benefits, kits purchased at your local pharmacy are less expensive and typically less effective. Professional teeth whitening is a highly effective option, but it requires a bit more of an investment. Here are the basics on each type of whitening:
Professional Whitening
In-office professional whitening is the fastest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. It allows us to customize your treatment to achieve the level of whitening you desire. It uses a prescription-strength whitening agent available only at a dentist’s office. If you want an almost immediate difference in your teeth’s color and overall appearance, this is the option for you.
We will typically apply the whitening formula directly to your teeth, and leave you to rest comfortably for between a half hour and an hour. Some in-office whitening formulas are strengthened with the use of heat, specialized lighting, or laser application. Our patients usually notice results after only one application.
At-home professional whitening allows our patients to whiten their teeth on their own schedule. It is just as effective as our in-office treatment, but may take longer to produce results. Our patients receive a custom-made whitening tray and professional-strength gel to be applied, usually once a day, for about a week. Once their desired level of whitening is achieved, we recommend that our patients do a “touch-up” application once a month to maintain the whitening results.
Over-the-Counter Whitening
Over-the-counter whitening is done in a number of different ways today. The kits or whitening products require a smaller up-front investment from our patients, but also feature less strength, reliability, and customization of professional whitening.
- Whitening strips use a thin amount of whitening agent on the back side of a plastic strip. These strips are pressed onto your teeth and removed after a specified period. They will typically be applied once a day for at least a week.
- Non-prescription-strength whitening gel is placed in a one-size-fits-all plastic tray. These trays are worn, retainer style, for a set period of time once a day.
- Whitening toothpaste and whitening mouthwash, used once a day, are somewhat effective at removing surface stains, but do not actually whiten the color of your teeth.
If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, or have questions about teeth sensitivity and whitening, please contact our office. You have many options to whiten your teeth, and we’re here to help you choose which one meets your needs and desires.