Are you interested in brightening your smile? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, Americans spend more than $1.4 billion dollars a year for at-home whitening kits. To make matters even more interesting, this massive number does not include professional whitening. Before you add your money to the mix, we have a questions for you: is professional whitening with it?
Would you be surprised to learn that as a rule of thumb, professional whitening is the most effective option? In fact, professional whitening is better in virtually every way.
For example, going to a dentist to brighten your smile may actually be safer. Please don’t misunderstand, gel and strips are relatively safe, but there are a few factors to consider. The gel itself is safe enough, but if it is overused, you could damage your enamel. If this happens, your teeth may be more susceptible to decay. Similarly, if you have existing dental conditions, bleaching your teeth could potentially aggravate your condition. Luckily, a dentist is able to safely care for your smile.
Whitening from home tends to lead to over-use, which can actually damage your enamel (the outer layer of your teeth). Similarly, if you have a dental condition—especially if you don’t know about it—bleaching your teeth could cause even more damage. Your dentist will ensure that neither of these complications arise.
Another benefit of having a dentist whiten your smile is the custom tray for you. Most whitening kits will come with a tray, but they are created to fit any smile. This can lead to ineffective and uneven whitening. Conversely, a dentist will be create a custom whitening agent that will work well for your smile, taking into account your previous dental work and your goals. A dentist will also be better able to protect your gums, which could become irritated when they come in contact with over-the-counter whiteners, and your treatment will be much faster.
If you would like more information on in-office or at-home whitenings, please feel free to contact us soon. We are eager to hear from you.