The Difference Between Home Tooth Whitening And Professional Whitening

Head to the local store and you’ll likely find a huge range of pastes, rinses, and products that promise to give you a bright, white smile. And with good reason – a great smile has a huge impact on your self-worth, your confidence, and the way that others think about you. And in some instances, those store bought products can give you some results that will help.

But they’re a far cry from the tooth whitening that a dentist can provide to you. Understanding the differences is well worth doing and could help you determine which option is the right one for you.

The store bought treatments are essentially bleaching agents, no matter their form. They’ll contain chemicals that will work to remove the stains caused by smoking, wine, coffee, and regular use of the teeth. They can take weeks or even months to provide noticeable results, and you’ll have to remember to use them exactly as instructed or else you’ll end up wasting your time and energy.

Professional whitening is different, however. Dentists use the process to remove the deep stains that over the counter treatments just won’t provide. In fact, the procedures a dental expert will use will be about 10 times stronger than those store bought treatments.

It starts with a cleaning, then the dentist places a gel onto the teeth. A special medical laser is then focused on the teeth and activates the gel. The process takes a bit of time, but usually within about an hour there is a huge improvement in the overall shade of the teeth.

Obviously, professional whitening is the way to go if you want the best results and the least amount of hassle. Many people try to avoid it because they assume that it’s too expensive, but when you compare the results and the amount of time that you’ll have to invest in trying to whiten your teeth at home, it becomes clear that in most cases home tooth whitening really isn’t as good of a value as you think. Getting the professional treatment is well worth it when you want results.

Of course, regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a good mouthwash will help maintain the brightness of teeth. It will also help to avoid certain things that cause those stains like coffee, wine, and smoking. But when you need whiter teeth, knowing all of your options is important.