Teeth Whitening: What Is Best For You?

The choice between professional in-office whitening and at-home systems is simply a matter of preference. Both options offer amazing results and can give you a smile you’ve always wanted. In fact, professional whitening can even intensify the effects of at-home treatments and make them last even longer! If you’re trying to decide which treatment option is best for you, consider the following:

Comfort level

How do you feel most comfortable? If you are nervous about going to the dentist or you have sensitive teeth, you may feel more comfortable with a home system that you can control. On the other hand, if you have a strong gag reflex or want to achieve results in just one hour, you may be more interested in an in-office treatment.

Time constraints

Do you have time to set aside for treatment? Some treatments require you to invest a few hours at a time; otherwise, you will have to wait to complete your treatment plan. Others can be done on your own schedule.

Cost

How much are you willing to invest in your dental care? If you only have a small budget to work with, you may want to start out with a more budget-friendly option, like take-home trays. In-office treatments tend to cost more, but they offer the benefit of immediate results. At first, your pearly whites will lighten up several shades after just one session. Over time you will notice less dramatic improvements as your teeth continue to brighten.

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

There are three types of over-the-counter whitening kits, including strips, toothpaste, and paint-on gel. The least effective are paint-on gels and toothpaste. Paint-on gels are applied with a brush or swab and can be messy to apply. Brushing whiteners with toothpaste will do little to nothing for your teeth. Strips may be more effective at removing surface stains from teeth than other methods, but they are rarely permanent. They may wear away over time.

The best choice when it comes to at-home whitening kits is professional whitening trays. These custom-fitted trays are made to fit your smile and give you professional results at home in a shorter amount of time. A professional kit will contain a higher concentration of whitening ingredients like carbamide peroxide, meaning you will see more immediate results with a professional kit. Plus, the results will last longer than other at-home whitening methods.

To learn more about our dental services or schedule an appointment with us, call our dentist at (817) 924-6211 or visit our dental office located at 2469 Forest Park Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76110.