The Benefits Of Teeth Whitening

Ever thought of getting your teeth whitened? Are you wanting to make your smile look its absolute best? Maybe you’re considering the option of going to a professional in-office to whiten your teeth. Or maybe you’re thinking that an over-the-counter (OTC) option is the best way to go. It’s normal to want an award winning smile. Everyone wants to look and feel their best. But sometimes it can be difficult or confusing trying to navigate how to get that perfect smile. Here’s a quick guide on the pros and cons of professional teeth whitening and OTC teeth whitening.

The Pros And Cons Of OTC Teeth Whitening

When it comes to OTC teeth whitening options, there are a few different kits that you could choose from. There are teeth whitening toothpastes available, whitening strips, teeth whitening liquids that are painted on teeth, and even bleach trays that involve using a special gel that whitens teeth. These OTC options can be beneficial for different reasons. Using an OTC teeth whitening kit can be cost efficient, you’re capable of whitening your teeth yourself, and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. While these pros are appealing to a lot of people, the cons can be equally unappealing to the masses.

There’s the famous saying, “you get what you pay for.” In the case of OTC whitening kits, they’re often only temporary whitening agents. OTC options don’t provide a deep cleaning and whitening of the teeth. Rather, these kits mainly target the top layer of teeth. Using OTC options can be messy if not done properly. For example, you could accidentally apply too much teeth whitening gel to the bleach tray, which will result in a sloppy application of the gel. In addition to that, if teeth are discolored or stained, there’s little chance that an OTC whitening kit will actually whiten the teeth. Simply put, OTC teeth whitening options are good if you’re giving your teeth a whitening touch up. A quick fix, if you will.

The Pros And Cons Of In-Office Teeth Whitening

For in-office whitening procedures, the experience is very different from OTC options. One of the biggest benefits of whitening your teeth in-office is that the treatment yields better results and is long lasting. The whitening is done by a professional, so there’s a lot less worry about the procedure being done correctly. And because it is done by a professional, the treatment takes around an hour, the procedure is done with ease, and the teeth whitening can help lessen tooth sensitivity. Not only that, going to a professional to get your teeth whitening can be a relaxing experience. You can listen to music while getting your teeth whitened, or watch television. You could even get some reading done or play games on your phone. It’s a great way to take a break and relax while touching up your million dollar smile.

Some of the inconveniences of getting your teeth whitened by a professional may be concerning for some. For instance, the procedure takes about an hour to do, and if you don’t have an hour or two in your day to spare, it won’t be easy to get done. Also, an appointment would need to be made in order to get your teeth whitened by a professional. Price can also be a concern for some if there isn’t insurance or convenient payment options available.

To summarize, OTC options are great for at home, cheap and quick touch ups that can temporarily whiten your teeth. But because it is a low cost option, the whitening agents aren’t as strong and therefore don’t provide deep whitening and last for a short period of time. In-office whitening procedures are professionally done, meaning the process is done efficiently and on average takes only an hour to get done. Teeth are deeply cleaned and whitened, any sensitivity can be dwindled, and the results last a lot longer than any OTC treatment. However, the cost can be expensive and an appointment would need to be made.

Overall, when it comes to figuring out which option suits you best, it’s ideal to consult with your dentist about the kind of results you’re looking for and which options are a better fit for you financially and comfort-wise.