Teeth whitening at home has skyrocketed in popularity recently. According to News Today, "40.5 million people used teeth whitening solutions in 2018." We’ve covered whether charcoal teeth whitening is safe, but we’re taking it further here. Discolored teeth can impact every area of your life and threaten your overall confidence, so it’s an issue that’s important to us. Teeth whitening usually involves at-home strips, custom trays, or professional laser whitening performed by a dentist in the office. In this article, we will explore the differences and benefits of each option. A comprehensive exam and cleaning is needed prior to any type of whitening to ensure that the individual is a good candidate and what treatment option to work best.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
At-home teeth whitening options work similar to laser teeth whitening but are applied by the individual themselves in the comfort of their own home. These solutions include whitening rinses, toothpastes, gels, and strips – each with varying degrees of effectiveness. While cheaper than laser teeth whitening, individuals must remain committed and apply the whitening solution daily over the course of several weeks. At home solutions may also contain carbamine peroxide (a compound of urea and hydrogen peroxide), the active ingredient that is used to aggressively whiten teeth. However, if misused this compound can cause teeth sensitivity and significantly damage the enamel of your teeth. According to Healthline.com, "teeth sensitivity can start to occur as soon as your first or second time of using teeth whitening strips." The best teeth whitening strips are the ones that are ADA-approved and have been clinically tested to avoid damage to your enamel or dentin.
Laser Teeth Whitening Treatment Options
Laser teeth whitening is an effective solution for removing stains or yellowing from your teeth. This method is performed by a highly trained and certified dentist at the dentist office. Using a whitening system which includes prescription level concentration of carbamide peroxide with a UV light, your dentist will carefully apply the bleaching agent to your teeth.Having your teeth whitened by your dentist comes with several benefits over doing it at home. First, your dentist will protect your gums and soft tissue of your mouth during the whitening process. Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective bleaching agent than at home remedies, penetrating deeper to remove stains and discoloration. It’s also quicker to see complete results. You can expect a smile that’s two to three shades brighter after your first session. Compare this to at home solutions that usually need to be applied for 2 hours a night, for a duration of 2-3 weeks. Lastly, in-office laser teeth whitening lasts longer than at home whitening trays and toothpastes. It's important to note that while no teeth whitening option is permanent, laser treatment may last for years depending on your oral care routine and dietary habits.As an added bonus, patients that opt for in-office teeth whitening may receive an x-ray of their teeth, an oral health exam, and have their teeth professionally cleaned. Laser teeth whitening procedure is non-invasive, and your dentist will be fully concentrated on your treatment while also closely monitoring your comfort and well-being. Best of all, you can resume your daily activities the same day as your laser treatment is performed!
How Ideal Dental Can Help
At Ideal Dental, we put the dental needs of our patients first. We're dedicated to a safe and stress-free environment. When you have questions, we're sure to answer them thoroughly before treatment options ever begin. We understand the importance of your smile and provide our patients with one-on-one personalized services that cater to their unique smile. We have convenient locations throughout Texas, so whether you are looking for an office close to home or close to work, we’ve got you covered.You're invited to contact us at Ideal Dental today, to discuss a safe teeth-whitening journey for your unique smile today!