Teeth Whitening: At Home or in the Dentist’s Office?

teeth whitening

Whiter teeth are a key part of finding your perfect smile.

Impeccably white teeth are the first step towards achieving a beautiful smile. There are a wide variety of methods you can pursue to achieve whiter teeth, and the most frequently asked question is, “Should I whiten my teeth at home or invest in a professional teeth whitening from my Dentist?” Here’s a quick rundown of the advantages of each.

Whitening Rinses

This is the easiest teeth whitening method. Simply find a mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide and swirl it around in your mouth for a minute each day. Because the whitening agent is only in contact with your teeth for a short period of time, whitening rinses are gradual and sometimes ineffective for deeper stains. Some people with sensitive teeth are also susceptible to aches from using whitening rinses, especially those with higher alcohol content.

Whitening Toothpaste

Just like in mouthwash, some toothpastes include hydrogen peroxide to help remove surface stains over time. Again, sensitive teeth can be problematic with these products, but they may provide a gradual brightening over time. It’s also important to remember that whitening with a toothpaste may not always reach everywhere in your mouth.

Gel Strips

Gel strips are a far more effective method than whitening rinses or toothpastes. They typically involve placing a strip over your teeth for up to 2 hours once a day. Gel Strips usually take about 20 days to completely whiten your teeth, and although they are a more affordable option they can easily miss entire regions of your teeth, especially if your teeth aren’t perfectly aligned.

Whitening Trays

Whitening trays fit over your teeth with a gel, and they can whiten teeth very fast. Whitening trays typically aren’t sold in-stores and because they aren’t custom-fitted, they’re more likely to rub into and irritate your gums.

Professional Teeth Whitening

If you already have teeth and gums in excellent condition, an at-home teeth whitening solution may be enough to satisfy your needs. A professional teeth whitening, however, offers custom-made trays that fit your unique teeth shapes. And because a dentist is supervising the whole procedure, stronger bleaching solutions can be used than you will find in at-home kits. A professional teeth whitening is the best solution for people with sensitive teeth, as a dentist can make sure your teeth and gums aren’t irritated.

Professional Teeth Whitening from Annapolis Dental Care

If you want to schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. 1

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 19th, 2016 at 6:33 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.