Know the Difference a Dentist Makes in Whitening Teeth

Throughout our lives our teeth can tarnish & yellow for a host of reasons, from smoking & coffee to less obvious items we ingest like sports drinks & wine. For many of us, there comes a time when we’d like to reverse course & get a whiter, brighter smile. So why go to the dentist for a whitening treatment when there are so many at-home options?

50 Shades of White

Some at-home treatments can work well for you, but if you have discoloration that is uneven or feel you need your teeth to be many shades whiter without long applications times, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about the options they provide.

Dentists have access to stronger bleaching products than what are available over the counter & the expertise to use them. This will not only provide whiter teeth than many at-home systems, it can greatly reduce the time it takes to achieve your target shade.

Safety First

So why can’t you just buy the same products dentists use? Primarily, this is because the product is strong enough to cause damage when not properly applied. Bleach products at a dental practice could lead to dehydrated & brittle teeth if left on too long & could cause discomfort if applied improperly. But when used correctly, they pose little to no risk to the patient.

Even at-home whitening products can lead to increased sensitivity & bleached gums when used improperly. If you have questions about a whitening product you purchased, it’s best to set up a consultation with your dentist to receive proper instructions.

Fast Results

Whereas at-home teeth whitening can last weeks or months for a small gain, advances in professionally applied dental whitening products can lead to smiles multiple shades whiter in only a few hours. So you will not only get teeth whiter faster, but you will have fewer visits to the office & far fewer treatments than you would at home.