Professional Teeth Whitening Versus Over-the-Counter At-Home Kits
With the number of options available today, there’s no excuse not to be the proud owner of a bright white smile that boosts your confidence and makes you feel alive. When people consider tooth whitening as a way to rid their teeth of yellow stains and discolorations, they must choose between professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter at-home kits. Here’s what you need to know about both.
Professional Teeth Whitening
When opting to visit your local dentist for professional teeth whitening, you can expect the sessions to last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. You also usually need one to three appointments to complete the treatment. The biggest advantage of professional teeth whitening is that the dentist’s whitening gel is more powerful. Your dentist also has access to certain types of equipment, like special laser light machines, that help activate whitening agents and help them work better. Although the upfront costs are higher, professional teeth whitening is the number-one choice.
Over-the-Counter At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking for a cheaper option for teeth whitening, consider one of the many at-home kits you can now purchase over the counter. Here are four common types:
- Whitening rinse. Easy to use, but the results are gradual. Simply swirl it around in your mouth for a minute twice a day. This prevents new stains, too.
- Whitening toothpaste. Contains active ingredients that remove stains on the surface without gentle brushing and might help with gradual brightening. Some people’s teeth are highly sensitive to these specific whitening products.
- Whitening gel strips. Tooth sensitivity is also common with this form of tooth whitening, but the results are usually good. Simply put the strips on your teeth once a day for two hours. There spacing limitations with strips.
- Whitening trays. Dentists also commonly provide these as an alternative to traditional teeth whitening treatments. You also use a gel when using trays.