At-Home vs. Professional Teeth Whitening Options

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You may notice, your teeth may not be as white as they used to be.  Natural wear and tear will cause the protective coating to break down as you age and can cause your teeth to look duller and yellower. Your diet also plays a role in your teeth’s color. Acidic foods and drinks (like berries, sauces, soda, sports drinks and wine) wear away at your enamel. Not to mention,artificially colored candies or foods that color your tongue also stain your teeth. With so many forces working against your efforts for a healthy and white smile, it’s no wonder you’ve considered different whitening options! Below, you’ll learn more about different option available to you so you can choose the whitening method that best fits your needs and goals.

At-Home Teeth Whitening Methods: If you prefer whiten your teeth at home, you have four approaches to choose from. Each of these options has pros and cons, but offers the convenience and price point that fits most budgets.

OTC Whitening Trays These trays hold warmed whitening gel and stick to your teeth much like a mouth guard. However, you must consistently keep up with your regimen to see results. You’ll typically use these trays for a few weeks. Note that your mouth might feel sensitive as the carbamide peroxide in the gel breaks down.

Whitening Strips The next generation of whitening, these strips offer a smaller and less clunky form of at-home whitening. Whitening strips take about two weeks of consistent use to produce results. If you choose this route, splurge for higher-end strips with contouring and thickness, as these features won’t slip or create a mess as you use them.

Whitening Pens or Brushes If you prefer to avoid putting foreign trays and strips in your mouth, a paint-on whitening method stands as a better alternative. This technique uses a pen to brush whitening gel on individual teeth. The gel dries out and eventually dissolves, so you’ll experience less gum and tooth sensitivity with this option. However, some dental professionals believe that the gel in whitening pens washes off too easily. Dentists claim that this characteristic makes the gel less effective than strips or trays.

Whitening Device In the last few years,at-home whitening devices have brought the light and heat from professional whitening services straight to a person’s home. This heat and light, when combined with the provided whitening gel, work well to whiten teeth. However, you’ll have to keep a tray connected to a miniature device in your mouth for over 30 minutes a day, 5 days in a row.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options We strongly recommend professional teeth whitening services.  You will see better results in much less time and without the hassle of at-home methods.   With this choice, you’ll achieve a brighter smile with minimal work and discomfort.

Take-Home Trays These whitening trays are similar to over-the-counter whitening trays, with a few distinctions. First, your dentist provides you with customized trays to fit in your individual mouth. Second, you use these trays to apply a stronger whitening gel than a drug store sells. If you choose this option, you can take advantage of the benefits of a professional whitening from the comfort of your own home.

Power Bleaching Power bleaching is the most efficient way to get the ultimate white smile! Our team uses a combination of whitening gel, light,and heat to rapidly whiten your teeth in one session. Power bleaching was the inspiration for at-home whitening devices, but the professional option is still the better choice.  We feature the Sinsational Smile method, providing you premium effectiveness and convenience at a bargain price!  Your treatment takes as little as 20 min with great results and no sensitivity afterwards.

If whiter teeth are a priority for you, it’s worth the investment to choose one of the professional options above. You’ll see results faster and get a customized treatment. Make an appointment with us today to get a gleaming smile!