Is Tooth Whitening Worth it ?
Even with perfect oral hygiene, you may see your smile beginning to lose its shine over time. Proper oral care helps in preventing stains, but other factors such as aging, medications, coffee, tea, and certain foods can all cause teeth to yellow or discolored.
If you’ve researched whitening your teeth, you may know that professional teeth whitening can be expensive. At-home teeth whitening
alternatives are much cheaper. However, in-office teeth whitening is one of the safest and most effective teeth whitening methods out there. Here’s how to decide if teeth whitening is really worth it.
What Makes Professional Whitening Different?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) many forms of teeth whitening, including over-the-counter (OTC) products, prescription gels and professionally applied treatments at your dentist’s office, contain carbamide peroxide as their primary bleaching agent. But the composition of in-office bleaching is what often separates it from the rest, making the cost of professional teeth whitening higher as a result.
Stronger Bleaching Agents
Unlike at-home whitening kits, which contain low-dose bleaching agents, professional in-office whitening procedures are carefully monitored, and their bleaching gel has a much higher concentration. This can cause a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity and mild irritation in the soft tissues of the mouth.
Faster Results
Nevertheless, because the concentration of professionally applied bleaching gel is stronger than what you’d get in an at home whitening
product, results are visible immediately rather than several weeks afterward. At-home products, those offered by your dentist and OTC items, are intended for use over a two- to four-week period, whereas the in-office professional procedure is usually completed in about one hour.
Dental Supervision
One of the significant drawbacks to OTC products, such as whitening strips or bleaching trays, is that they don’t require a dental examination or consultation first. The ADA recommends that everyone considering a whitening treatment should have a dental exam to make sure their gums and teeth are in a healthy enough condition for bleaching. They will also help you to determine whether your type of staining or discoloration can be improved. Also, some bleaching materials can affect filling material you may already have in your molars resulting in a mismatch of color with similar dental work.
It’s also important to understand that tooth discoloration could be a sign of an underlying disease or condition, inevitably requiring
dental therapy in the long run. Save yourself the trouble and check with your dentist before testing any OTC tooth whitening products.
Is Professional Whitening Worth It For You?
Once you’ve seen your dentist and have been approved for teeth whitening, be sure to choose a method that works with your budget and
personal preference. If safety is your priority, and immediate results with a dramatic whitening effect, professional in-office whitening is your best option. If you have highly sensitive teeth, there is an option for an at-home whitening treatment that your dentist can give you. This treatment consists of a custom-fitted whitening tray, containing a lower concentration of bleach. There are also many affordable, safe OTC products available in your convenient local store. Of course, more gradual whitening effects may be preferable for those who aren’t racing toward a special occasion. Whitening toothpaste always a good idea, as it whitens teeth and helps to prevent future stains. Although OTC teeth whitening products do not work as quickly as professional treatments, they are incredibly convenient in pursuit of the smile you deserve.
Having your teeth whitened by the best cosmetic dentist in South Florida is a great way to achieve that perfect pearly white smile you’ve always wanted.
Contact our Coral Gables dental office at (305) 569-9966 or Plantation at (954) 472-3303.
