Who doesn’t want their pearly whites to shine when they smile? No wonder cosmetic teeth whitening is the most requested cosmetic dental procedure across America. The primary purpose of teeth cleaning and whitening is to remove yellow stains from teeth to make them appear whiter and brighter. There are different types of teeth whitening designed to achieve this goal.
Some people prefer teeth whitening at home, while others prefer professional and advanced types of teeth whitening. This post provides you with information on both DIY and professional teeth whitening so that you can decide between the two.
Always remember to consult your dentist before opting for teeth whitening at home if you have any of the following conditions:
- Sensitive teeth
- Dental restorations
- Dark stains on multiple teeth or a single dark tooth
- Lots of fillings or crowns
Professional Teeth Whitening
A professional teeth whitening or in-office whitening is getting your teeth whitening with the help of a dentist. It provides long-lasting results as your dentists use highly concentrated peroxide formulas in combination with heat, laser, or light.
In-office teeth whitening cost is not affordable for everyone. But you can always check for an installment facility and insurance claim for your treatment with your dentist. Following are some of the proven types of professional teeth whitening:
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Dentist-Prescribed Teeth Whitening Kits
Dentists prescribe and provide teeth whitening kits containing custom-made trays with a highly concentrated level of bleaching agents. You need to wear them for a few hours every day. Since they are custom-made, there is the least chance of your gums coming in contact with the bleach. These trays show results in a couple of weeks.
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Zoom Teeth Whitening
This is a swift cosmetic teeth whitening procedure. You get the result in 45 minutes. In zoom teeth whitening, the dentist performs cosmetic whitening with the help of 25% hydrogen peroxide and a special lamp with a particular type of light.
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Boost
Boost is similar to zoom teeth whitening. The difference is that dentists only need power bleaching gel which is based on hydrogen peroxide for teeth bleaching. No special light is required to execute this procedure.
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Veneers
Sometimes it becomes impossible to remove yellow stains from teeth, no matter how powerful the teeth bleaching agent your dentist use. In such cases, you can opt for dental veneers as a way of more permanent teeth whitening. Veneers can also correct the discrepancies of shape and size along with the color of your teeth.
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Laser Whitening
It’s a quick and highly effective way of professional teeth whitening. As the name suggests, the help of laser light is taken to make the teeth whiter. But because of the high investment, few dental practitioners offer laser whitening. And its cost is also one of the highest amongst all professional teeth whitening costs.
Teeth Whitening at Home
If you are interested in the “do it yourself teeth whitening,” here are some of the most popular DIY methods:
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Over-the-counter Whitening Kits
OTC whitening kits are based on the substance, mainly made of peroxide and bleach. These kits take a couple of weeks to show results.
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Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are widely available. They are easy to use, but their results can be short-term.
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Whitening Toothpaste
They contain mild abrasives which remove yellow stains from teeth. Some whitening toothpaste also has special chemicals as polishing agents.
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Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Many find it as an inexpensive alternative to costly whitening treatment. But charcoal is undoubtedly not a proven way of teeth whitening.
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Coconut Oil Teeth Whitening
Again, there is no evidence that coconut oil teeth whitening is an effective type of teeth whitening. But people like to do it as their bit of teeth whitening. Know more about it here!
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Whitening Rinses
Whitening rinses are to be swished around your mouth before you brush. They are basically mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening.
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OTC Teeth Whitener Trays
These trays contain peroxide gels. They need to be worn on teeth for a few hours every day. But OTC whitening trays are not as effective and as safe as prescribed by your dentists.
Related Read: Dangers of DIY Teeth Whitening
DIY Teeth Whitening vs. In-office Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
First of all, there is no comparison between at-home teeth whitening and in-office teeth whitening. The result that a professional dentist in the clinic produce is always superior to any in-house endeavor of whitening your teeth.
For instance, the strength of teeth bleaching agents is comparatively low in both DIY kits and dentist prescribed kits. These kits have 3% hydrogen peroxide. In comparison, dental professionals use 14-43% of peroxide in clinics for advanced teeth whitening procedures.
Also, the OTC “fit for all” teeth whitening products are never as safe and comfortable as the customized mouthpieces dentists make for you.
For More Information Read Our Post on 5 Reasons Why Professional Teeth Whitening Is Better Than At-Home Kits
Frequently Asked Questions:
Find answers to some frequently asked questions about different types of teeth whitening:
- How do I know which is the best method of teeth whitening for me?
Although laser whitening is known for incredible and long-lasting results, your dentist will be the best person to suggest an appropriate method in your case. Also, any type of professional teeth whitening which is suitable for you is better than at-home teeth whitening procedures. - How to choose the teeth whitening method?
There are various types of teeth whitening methods. Your best bait would be to choose the one your dentist recommends. - How long the whitening effect does last?
Teeth whitening is not permanent, and there is no definite answer to how long teeth whitening lasts. It depends on 3 factors:
Level of staining
Condition of the teeth
Type of bleaching agent used
To know more, read our next post on How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
- Am I a Candidate for teeth whitening?
You are a candidate if you don’t have any of the following conditions.
– Brown teeth.
– Tooth discoloration due to injury or medication.
– Have porcelain veneers or dental crowns.
Teeth bleaching doesn’t work on these conditions. Teeth whitening can be troublesome for sensitive teeth as well. - Are there any risks associated with teeth whitening?
There are as such no significant risks associated with any type of teeth whitening. However, typical side effects of DIY and professional teeth whitening are sensitive teeth and irritation in your mouth tissues. But both these side effects are temporary and fade away after some time.
Visit your Dentist in Salem, MA to know more!
Are you searching for teeth whitening in Salem? Call 978-607-0110 to book an appointment with us at Coral Dental Care, LLC, your dentist in Salem, MA, and put your first foot forward towards a whiter and brighter smile!
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.