Teeth Whitening Techniques
At Home DIY Teeth Whitening
When people think about teeth whitening they will likely think of these at-home do-it-yourself whitening kits. These kits commonly come in the form of clear, whitening gel covered strips that adhere to the front surface the teeth. Other whitening kits come in the form of clear plastic trays in which whitening gel is inserted into. These trays are then placed over the teeth. The whitening trays can be purchased at the store or prescribed by the dentist. The ones prescribed by the dentist will be custom-fitted to each patient’s teeth. The gel will also have more potent, dentist formulated teeth bleaching material. Both whitening systems require the user to spend time “soaking” the teeth in the whitening gel. Here are the pros and cons of these teeth whitening methods:
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easily accessible
- Can be done in the privacy of one’s home
Cons
- Can be messy and hard to apply properly
- Doesn’t immediately whiten teeth
- Whitening doesn’t last long
- Can cause gum irritation
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Getting a professional teeth cleaning at the dentist office by a dental professional has become more popular in recent years due to the immediate, noticeable results it yields. For the in-office teeth bleaching, dentist use a more potent hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening material as well as a specific type of UV light that better activates the applied whitening gel. The in-office cosmetic whitening procedure has been improving with some dental offices offering a completed bleaching treatment in as little as 30 minutes. Below are just some of the pros and cons of this type of cosmetic dental procedure:
Pros
- Whitens teeth multiple shades often within a single, hour-long appointment
- Lasts longer than at-home whitening kits
- Involves less discomfort due to better fitting strips and trays
Cons
- Is more expensive
- Requires time at the dentist office
