Teeth whitening can do wonders for your smile, and while you can buy products and kits at drug stores and grocery shops, it is highly recommended that you complete this treatment at the Dentist. At-home teeth whitening kits cost less than in-office whitening, although the results will be inferior, and there are also many risks involved when you rely on over-the-counter products. 

Simply put – teeth whitening is best done at the Dentist, and here are the reasons why:

1. Superior results.

Both at-home and in-office solutions contain hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent. However, dental offices use a higher content to provide noticeable results in less time. Having your teeth professionally whitened means a higher peroxide content will be safely applied to your teeth, and dentists also use heat or light to speed up the whitening process further and intensify results. At-home methods can take weeks or even months to see results, but professional teeth whitening will allow you to achieve a brighter smile in as little as an hour!

2. Longer lasting results.

Some steps need to be completed prior to a teeth whitening procedure, in addition to specialized tools that remove plaque and tarter— guaranteeing results that cannot be achieved with only a toothbrush and floss at home. A dentist will first examine your teeth to confirm that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening and will examine your teeth thoroughly to ensure bleaching is right for you. This would avoid potential problems and less-than-perfect results, and this is not something you can do on your own at home. Additionally, a dental professional will clean your teeth and remove plaque or tartar before applying bleach to optimize results. They will also monitor the whitening procedure during treatment to ensure nothing goes wrong. In-office professional whitening penetrates teeth from within where age and medication-related discoloration occurs, resulting in more dramatic and longer-lasting results.

3. Less risk of sensitivity and damage.

Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation following teeth whitening are common. If the whitening gel is left on the teeth for too long, it will dehydrate the teeth, which will cause sensitivity, and if the peroxide agent gets on your gums, it will cause irritation and pain when eating certain foods. Patients are far more likely to misuse at-home whitening systems, leading to sensitivity, pain and less-than-desirable results. A dentist, on the other hand, will prepare your teeth and gums before applying the bleaching agent to protect them from harm and know how to avoid damage while yielding the best outcome. 

You will experience several advantages when your teeth are professionally whitened; this is why getting your teeth whitened by a dentist is always the better option. If you are interested in this treatment, Sarnia Dental Care can help! We specialize in teeth whitening and have been helping patients in Sarnia for years. If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment!