Professional teeth whitening can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile even in a single appointment. Teeth whitening in a dental office is recommended when teeth become discolored, yellowed, or stained, and it can make teeth up to 8 shades lighter without harming them. Please read our article to discover 5 reasons to get professional teeth whitening.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is typically performed by a cosmetic dentist and can come in two forms:
- In-office whitening involves using a stronger bleaching solution and, in some cases, additional equipment to deliver noticeable results in just one appointment.
- At-home whitening kits that are provided by your dentist. Such solutions usually come in the form of trays that patients wear at night for several days. The trays contain a special gel that whitens the teeth over time. At-home professional whitening solutions should not be confused with over-the-counter whitening kits.
How Does Whitening Affect Your Teeth
Special bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, are typically used for teeth whitening procedures. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates the enamel of the teeth and breaks down the particles that cause discoloration and stains. Some other methods, like high-intensity light (LED, UV, or halogen), might be used in combination with a bleaching agent.
Professional Teeth Whitening Versus Over-the-counter Whitening Solutions
Bleaching agents involved in teeth whitening procedures might damage the enamel if used unprofessionally. That is why over-the-counter solutions can be dangerous to use by yourself without a consultation with your dentist. In some cases, the enamel is weak, and teeth will not benefit from whitening. Professional teeth whitening in a dentist’s office is safe and will not harm your teeth.
Secondly, over-the-counter solutions tend to deliver considerably fewer results than a professional whitening procedure. Some over-the-counter solutions clean just the surface of the teeth and are not effective in removing deep stains.
If a professional whitening solution comes in the form of an at-home kit, it is typically custom-made with a patient’s goals and dental health in mind. In comparison, over-the-counter solutions are mass-produced and might not serve your particular purposes.
5 Reasons To Get Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening has significant advantages over over-the-counter solutions. Below, we list 5 benefits of getting the treatment at a dental office.
Delivers Fast Results
Some in-office whitening procedures might take as little as 45 minutes, making your teeth up to 8 times whiter. In comparison, over-the-counter treatments usually provide 1 to 2 shades of improvement over some time.
Safe for the Health of Your Teeth
Studies have shown that professional teeth whitening done at a dental office does not permanently harm the enamel of the teeth. In comparison, over-the-counter bleaching agents can damage the enamel or the gums, causing permanent sensitivity and pain. Once the enamel is damaged, it is impossible to restore it fully to its initial state. Teeth with damaged enamel are more susceptible to bacteria and decay.
Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes often contain abrasive particles that can create micro scratches on the surface of the teeth. These scratches can trap bacteria and food residue, leading to more staining in the future.
Convenient
The application methods of in-office whitening treatments are designed to be comfortable for the patient. In addition, the short treatment time makes the procedure time efficient and convenient, as you will not need to spend hours wearing over-the-counter whitening trays.
Custom-made to Achieve Your Goals
Professional teeth whitening is guided by an experienced dentist who will offer the best methods to achieve your specific goals. Your oral health will also be taken into consideration when choosing the optimal strength of the whitening solution and avoiding harming your teeth and gums.
Another reason for getting professional treatment is that whitening solutions can not remove some types of stains on teeth. This means that if the teeth around the tooth with such stains become whiter, the stains will only become more apparent. A professional dentist can assess the type of stains and discoloration you have and recommend the best course of action, employing other methods if necessary.
Provides Long-lasting Results
Professional whitening solutions penetrate deeper into the tooth’s enamel and remove the cause of discoloration, providing long-lasting improvement. Over-the-counter solutions usually remove only the surface stains that will reappear with time.
Make an Appointment Today
If you are considering professional teeth whitening, do not hesitate to call our office today and schedule an appointment with a dentist in San Bernardino. Our specialists use high-quality whitening solutions and will ensure that your smile looks its best. We look forward to welcoming you to our office.