Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

Which Tooth Whitening Option Is Right For You?

9 February 2018 by Christy Long

More and more people are choosing tooth whiting treatments to give them a beautiful, bright smile. While some people opt for the expensive professional in-office whitening, it isn't right for everyone. Luckily, there is more than one way to whitening your teeth, so check out these three popular ways to whiten teeth to see which is right for you.

Over-the-Counter Products

Over-the-counter whitening products include gels, trays and strips. You can typically find them at any grocery store or pharmacy. Over-the-counter products are the most affordable, but they can still cost up to $60 for some of the more expensive products, and those are typically the ones that work best. Whitening toothpaste is also available, but it contains no bleaching agent. Instead, it is just more abrasive than normal toothpaste, making it a poor choice. In fact, they may actually damage the enamel on your teeth. Over-the-counter treatments take a long time to whitening your teeth because they gradually change your teeth one shade at a time.

Professional Whitening

Professional whitening treatments are the most effective and fastest. With in-office whitening treatments, you can typically eliminate food and beverage stains with ease. They also get rid of stains from tobacco and normal daily use. The gel used in in-office whitening is powerful, which is why it is so effective, but it may cause some sensitivity in your teeth for a time. The procedure, however, is still the safest as you have a trained professional applying the solution. In-office whitening, however, isn't right for everyone as it does cost up to $650 per treatment.

At-Home Trays

You can get over-the-counter trays, but they are not as efficient as the take-home trays you get from your dentist. These trays are filled with a more powerful solution, but they are not as effective as in-office whitening. You take the pre-filled trays home and wear them for a certain amount of time. The longer and more often you wear them, the faster your smile whitens, but this can cause discomfort, so make sure to follow your dentist's instructions.

If you are sick of hiding your dingy smile, you should consider teeth whitening. While professional in-office whitening is the most effective and fastest way to brighten your smile, there are more affordable options that still work despite taking longer to reach your desired shade. If you would like more information regarding tooth whitening options, contact a dentist in your area today. For more information, contact a business such as Pike Dentistry.

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