Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional Teeth Whitening

If your teeth are discolored and you want to get whiter teeth, you can either go to the dentist's office to have professional teeth whitening, or you can buy over-the-counter teeth whitening systems to whiten them yourself. Each of these methods has pros and cons, and it's important to choose carefully.

In-office professional teeth whitening is the procedure that gives the fastest results. The dentist first covers the gums with a coating that prevents the whitening agent from getting on them. Then the dentist paints whitening chemicals onto the teeth and leaves them there for a certain amount of time. He or she may also apply light to your teeth to assist with the whitening process.

Many dental professionals offer in-office whitening, which can involve trays, brush on application, and/or lights. In general, the in-office whitening uses more concentrated bleach, which can result in sensitivity. Often, in-office professional whitening can be completed in a single office visit, compared to multiple treatments when using an at home whitening kit. Additionally, in-office professional teeth whitening tends to be more costly than at home teeth whitening kits (such as Crest Whitestrips).

Home teeth whitening systems, such as Crest Whitestrips, on the other hand, require repeated product applications over a period of up to two weeks, and are also effective in whitening teeth. This option is more economical than visiting a professional.

One sentence capsule: Depending on your whitening needs you may choose whitening with a retail whitening kit or have a professional whitening procedure.