Teeth Whitening at Our Boston Office vs. Over-the-Counter Bleaching Kits

There's a secret to having a winning smile: brightness and whiteness. A smile that is free from stains and yellowing truly is a memorable one. The problem is, not everyone can maintain that sort of smile for a lifetime. That's where cosmetic dentistry comes in. There are plenty of ways that patients can brighten the appearance of their teeth. In fact, there may be too many to know which is really the best.

Have you ever wondered how all of those over-the-counter whitening products stack up against teeth whitening offered by a pro? If so, let's take a look at that right now.

Types of At-Home Teeth Whitening Products

The most common kinds of teeth whitening products on the over-the-counter market these days are as follows:

• Chewing gum
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Whitening strips
• Tray systems

How effective are over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments?

In general, the level of effectiveness is just what you'd expect: chewing gum is the least likely to provide noticeable whitening while tray systems are most likely to provide results. Toothpastes and mouthwashes are somewhat effective, and whitening strips are just a step down from the tray systems.

How Professional Teeth Whitening is Performed

There are actually many different kind of professional teeth whitening systems out there, though the principle behind many of them is the same. The dentist will first clean the teeth thoroughly and then apply a bleaching agent that contains hydrogen peroxide. This whitening gel is then exposed to special laser light that helps activate its deep penetrating properties. The process is repeated again (in many cases twice more) in order to achieve the best possible whitening results.

Results of Professional Teeth Whitening Compared to At-Home Products

It can take weeks of over-the-counter whitening treatments to noticeably brighten your smile. With professional teeth whitening, your smile can be several shades brighter from just a single session.

Those are some remarkable results to consider, though they're common sense ones. Professional whitening uses much stronger bleaching agents than over-the-counter treatment, which leads to these kinds of fast and effective results.

About Professional Take-Home Whitening Kits

Professional-grade teeth whitening doesn't necessarily need to take place in the dental care suite. Many dentists will provide their patients with professional-grade take-home kits to whiten their teeth. These are special tray systems that can achieve remarkable results.

These professional take-home whitening kits are better than the over-the-counter tray systems, though it should be noted that professional take-home whitening kits act nowhere near as quick as professional in-office whitening treatment.

Dental Care Alternatives to Professional Teeth Whitening

If you have major dental stains that not even professional whitening can address, there are alternative treatments to consider, such as dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns. The best option for you can be discussed in more detail during your consultation at the practice.

Learn More About Teeth Whitening Treatment

If you would like to learn more about teeth whitening and how it can be of great benefit to you and your needs, be sure to contact our Boston and Waltham dental care centers today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you get the smile that you have always wanted.