Whitening Techniques: Over-The-Counter Versus In-Office

Teeth whitening is a popular solution to address tooth discoloration caused by drinking coffee, eating certain foods, smoking, and the natural aging process. According to the survey, tooth whitening was one of the most requested and popular cosmetic dental procedures, as reported by 351 surveyed dentists.  Teeth whitening is safe and effective, but the wrong method can permanently damage your teeth. Examples of damage:

1. Tooth Sensitivity

2. Etching of teeth

3. Gum irritation

4. Teeth appearing more discolored than before whitening

5. Increased risk of tooth fracture

6. Teeth absorbing more stains than before teeth staining

7. Loss of protective enamel

For instance, if you lose enamel, your teeth will become sensitive and darker in color. To avoid these risks, it's best to opt for safe at-home tooth whitening options or professional teeth whitening from your dentist. Here is what you should know about how to whiten your teeth at home safely, as well as when it's time to see a dentist for a professional teeth whitening procedure.

Types of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

If you want to whiten your teeth at home, there are many options such as tooth whitening strips, gels, toothpastes, and whitening kits.

Strips

Strips are effective in whitening teeth. They can also be worn longer depending on the degree of tooth discoloration. However, the downside to opting for teeth whitening strips is that they usually only cover six front teeth, which means your molars can be done without bleaching. 

Gel

Teeth Whitening Gel is usually sold in a "paint-on" application or oral tray. The gel contains a peroxide-bleaching substance that whitens teeth. There are two drawbacks to using over-the-counter whitening products. First, peroxide solutions can be dangerous if their use is not monitored. Second, if you choose the gel that comes with the splint, the splint may not fit. This can cause the gel to overflow and damage your gums.

Toothpaste

Whitening Toothpaste is one of probably the most affordable options for people who want to whiten their teeth at home. However, most toothpastes, whether whitening toothpaste or not, contain abrasives that help remove surface stains. also has little effect. It is also much less effective than other over-the-counter or office teeth whitening procedures, as it is only effective at removing stains and stains from the surface of your teeth. Other types of over-the-counter whitening products are used with trays or applied to your teeth. A disadvantage of this method is that the splint may not fit if the teeth are crooked. 

Pros and Cons of In-Office Teeth Whitening

Choosing to whiten your teeth with a professional procedure at a dental office has several advantages. First of all, the results of the treatment are immediately visible. Often the whitening procedure is performed in a one-hour time frame. At the end of this time, you can check the results. This is different as most over-the-counter products take weeks to show results. Your dentist can whiten your teeth up to 10 shades at the 

end of your visit. 

Another advantage of in-office whitening is the strength of the whitening solution used. The reason professional bleaching is so much faster and more effective than commercial treatments is because it contains a high concentration of bleaching elements. This high concentration is monitored by dentists for its use. Therefore, it is FDA-approved.

Finally, in-office whitening is safer than over-the-counter treatments. Concentrations of bleaching elements are higher, but professional oversight is appropriate. This allows for safer and more effective treatments.

 There are two drawbacks to choosing in-office whitening. First, it is one of the more expensive forms of teeth whitening. However, insurance may cover some of the procedures. The second drawback is that due to the high concentration of chemicals, you can only whiten your teeth as often as your dentist allows.

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