You Heard It From Your Dentist: Professional Teeth Whitening Works Better Than A Store-Bought Kit

Whiter teeth can boost an individual’s self-confidence, help the teeth appear more even, and other benefits. While there are several ways to achieve whiter teeth, these ways ultimately end up with someone choosing between a store-bought whitening kit or professional teeth whitening.

At Riverside Dental Care, we have helped countless people achieve whiter smiles, with plenty of our patients mentioning that they had first attempted to whiten with store-bought kits. So, if you are debating between the different whitening options, allow us to help you to decide.

Store-Bought Teeth Whitening Kits Are Limited

Store-bought teeth whitening kits have become more popular over the years as they are highly convenient. However, they are also limited in what they can do for most users.

• Whitening toothpastes – There is not much of a difference between a regular toothpaste and a whitening toothpaste. Both will clean your teeth which is what really keeps them from further discoloration.
• Whitening strips – When using whitening strips, these strips often only cover the front six teeth. This can leave a stark difference between your molars and whitened front teeth. Also, if you do not have even teeth, the whitening effects may not be applied evenly.
• Over-the-counter whitening trays – As these trays are not formed for your teeth, you can have very blotchy whitened teeth when using whitening trays. Also, these trays tend to use up the supplied whitening gel faster as you have to use a lot to have decent coverage.
• Teeth whitening rinses – The teeth whitening rinses are like the toothpastes – does not have a noticeable effect.

Along with the limitations of the store-bought teeth whitening kits, there are some dangers as well. Many teeth whitening kits bought over-the-counter are not FDA approved, so there is no way of knowing what the product actually contains.

Most of the time this just means the whitening kit is underpowered but sometimes it can lead to dangerous amounts of bleach and hydrogen peroxide. This can cause your gums to peel, teeth sensitivity, blotchy teeth, and more. Also, if you have cavities and use whitening products, you can weaken the teeth further.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options Are More Effective

When you work with one of our cosmetic dentists for professional teeth whitening, you can choose between laser treatments in our office or professional teeth whitening trays. Our trays are custom-fitted to your teeth for perfect coverage and we can supply whitening products which are stronger than store-bought whiteners.

Laser whitening treatment is a faster option, with the ability to make several appointments to reach your ideal shade. Either one you choose, you can feel assured that your teeth will actually be whiter at the end of the process. If you are interested in receiving professional teeth whitening, contact us to set an appointment today.