If you’re considering teeth whitening, you may be unsure whether to go for an at-home method or to see your dentist. Here’s some information to help you decide, courtesy of Studio B Smiles, your Arizona dentists in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
At Home Choices
At home products include whitening rinses, whitening toothpaste, gel strips and whitening trays (similar to what your dentist uses). With rinses and toothpaste, you simply use them once or twice a day. Gel strips must be applied to the teeth and left on, usually for about 30 minutes. A bleaching tray involves placing the solution or gel in the tray and actually wearing the tray for a period of time.
Professional Teeth Whitening
A dentist also uses a tray to contain the bleaching solution. However, the solution is stronger and the tray is made to fit your teeth so the solution comes in contact will all tooth surfaces. The dentist may sometimes use a special light to speed and strengthen the bleaching process. Your dentist can also create a custom tray for you to use at home.
Advantages and Disadvantages
At home treatments have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and you can use them at any time without needing to make an appointment. However, they may take a while to work and may not be effective for deep stains. At home bleaching trays and solutions may irritate your gums, especially if used repeatedly. A professional treatment is less likely to cause irritation and can achieve more of a bleaching effect.
Which Should I Choose?
If your gums and teeth are otherwise healthy and you are dealing with minor surface stains, at home teeth whitening may work just fine. If you have sensitive gums and teeth or the stains are significant, professional teeth whitening may be a better choice. If you have any kind of gum disease or dental decay, you should have treatment before whitening your teeth.
At Studio B Smiles we can assess your teeth and let you know whether at home or professional teeth whitening would be the best choice for your situation. Help keep your teeth white by avoiding or minimizing tea, coffee, tobacco and red wine. And don’t forget – you should also have a professional checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Please contact us today.
