Most people whiten their teeth to brighten their smiles and boost their self-confidence. They resort to the whitening process to get their pearly whites appealing. Ideally, you should know the benefits of whitening your teeth professionally versus doing it at home.
Safety
Professional teeth whitening is a safer option than at-home whitening kits. Your dentist will ensure they give you the best services and products to achieve what you desire. You will be less stressed when you get the service done by an expert.
You can damage your teeth if you decide to whiten them by yourself. You have a high likelihood of not following every instruction. You may even be tempted to leave the at-home whitening products on your teeth for more than the recommended time. Most people do that to get the results they want quicker. However, your teeth can get damaged by wearing the enamel down. It can also lead to irritation.
Teeth whitening can increase teeth sensitivity. Professional services are vital as your dentist can help counter any problem that may result from whitening. They can use desensitizers like fluoride and potassium nitrate. Your dentist will also use thick hydrogen peroxide to reduce teeth sensitivity after whitening. They will also protect your gums by placing a dental dam over them during the process.
You will also get professional advice on whether you are a fit candidate for the tooth whitening treatment. The products used are not always suitable for everyone. For example, some chemicals used during the process are harmful to pregnant and nursing women.
Even Teeth Coloration
At-home teeth whitening does not achieve even results on the smile, especially if you overuse them. Your teeth whitening may be uneven if you have porcelain or composite dental crowns. They may not whiten at the same time as your other natural teeth. Professional teeth whitening prevents unevenness and gives exact match results to your smile.
Cost
At-home teeth whitening treatments may seem cheaper. But eventually, the cost adds up to be more expensive than the professional option. To achieve your desired results, you may need to use the at-home kits every day. However, professional teeth whitening has faster and more durable results.
Dental Checkup Before Whitening
You will need a dental checkup before the professional teeth whitening procedure. You may have plaque, tartar, and cavities that could prevent you from getting what you desire. It is ideal that you address the dental issues before whitening your teeth. You may not be a good candidate if you have gum disease or cracked teeth.
Your dentist will also advise you about habits that affect your results. Acidic foods, smoking, and drinking coffee can affect the outcome.
Durable Results
Your dentist will ensure your professional teeth whitening results last longer. They will customize the whitening gel and whitening tray based on the whitening options they use for treatment.
Your dentist will also recommend that you maintain your dental and oral hygiene. You can brush your teeth twice every day and floss daily. You may also need to avoid taking drinks and meals that can stain your whitened teeth, such as red wine. Professional teeth whitening is more effective and reliable in giving long-lasting results.
For more about professional vs. at-home teeth whitening, call Robert A. Rees, DDS, at (858) 295-8082 to reach our office in La Jolla, California. Note that we do teeth whitening with Philips Zoom®.