If you’ve been considering having using teeth whitening to show off the full potential of your powerful smile, you might be wondering if you should opt for one of those at home whitening kits that promise to lighten your teeth right from the comforts of your home, or if a trip to a professional for a laser teeth whitening treatment is a better choice.
Why Whiten Your Teeth?
There is a definite link between our self-confidence and how people perceive us every day. Teeth naturally yellow with age, from plaque or due to stains from coffee or smoking. White teeth can imply youth and healthy living. Whiter teeth can help you look good, and when you look good, you feel good.
Do I Need Teeth Whitening?
Nothing makes a beautiful smile come to life more than a mouth full of pearly whites. The number one cause of teeth yellowing is lifestyle. While smoking, drinking coffees or teas and chewing tobaccos are the worst offenders, any food or drink that can stain clothes can also stain your teeth. Keeping up with proper brushing and flossing plays an important role in reducing these stains.
All toothpastes help remove surface stains, because they contain mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Since whitening toothpastes do not contain prescription whitening agents, they can lighten the tooth’s color by about one shade. If you have been brushing and flossing regularly, as well as tried a whitening toothpaste, and still want whiter teeth, then a professional teeth whitening solution may be needed. Prescription strength whitening conducted in your dentist’s office can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening work in one of two ways:
- Physical and Chemical Abrasion removes most external stains.
Non-bleaching procedures work by physical and/or chemical action to remove surface stains. All toothpastes rely on physical abrasion from brushing and mild chemical abrasion to remove surface stains between dental visits. Whitening toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional surface stain removal. A professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist also uses abrasion and polishing to remove most external staining caused by food and tobacco.
- Professional bleaching removes both deep & surface stains.
Prescription whitening procedures change your natural tooth color, usually anywhere from five to seven shades brighter. In-office whitening and at-home whitening both rely on bleaching. Bleaches contain an active ingredient in concentrations of 10-22%, which helps remove both deep and surface stains. There are significant cost differences between different bleaching procedures:
A light-activated whitening session in a dentist’s office results in instantly and often dramatically whiter teeth. However, after a year or so of eating and drinking normally (coffee, tea, soft drinks), your teeth become slightly discolored again and develop new stains.
Over-the-counter products for whitening teeth (those found in a drugstore) include boil and bite tray application, whitening gels applied with a brush, and whitening strips. Usually it takes several applications to see results and the increase in whitening is typically less than an In-office whitening, as the concentration of active ingredient is lower with over-the-counter products.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of laser teeth whitening vs. using at home whitening kits.
At-home Whitening Kits
At-home whitening kits from the store assist with the bleaching of the tooth’s surface as a way to lighten stains on them. Most kits will come with either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and a tray or applicator strips. Users will apply the whitening gel and leave it for a period of time on the teeth to process. Regular use could help reduce the stained appearance on teeth.
Pros & Cons: The kits are relatively easy to find online or at retail locations and are available at a reasonable price point. However results can vary. If you want guaranteed results and ensure you’re doing it safely, a professional is the better choice.
How Long to See Results? Depending on the condition and stains on the teeth it often takes multiple sessions for the teeth to lighten compared to sitting chairside at the dentist using a laser whitening method.
Laser Teeth Whitening
If you’d like fast, safe and guaranteed results for your teeth whitening then laser teeth whitening is the right solution. A professionally supervised whitening process will use a strong prescription whitening agent gel and a laser to heat and activate it. This method speeds up and enhances the whitening results.
Pros & Cons: Laser teeth whitening will cost significantly more than an at home kit. It must be done at a dentist’s office and not all patients will be eligible depending on the status of their teeth. The results when done however are fast and dramatic.
How Long to See Results? One session.
If you’re looking to enhance the beauty of your smile and want brilliantly white teeth in the matter of hours, schedule an appointment today!
