We all want a bright, white smile, but with so many teeth-whitening options out there, it can be hard to choose. There are a ton of different products that claim to whiten teeth, but do they work? How do you know which one to use, not to mention there is also the dentist? Well, that is exactly the question we are going to answer today. We will dispel some myths about over-the-counter whitening products and help you figure out which options work and which may be right for your situation.
We will cover the different options that are currently out there and give some advice on what situations these products are good for to help you find the answer you are looking for.
Over-the-counter products
Many different brands and types of over-the-counter whitening products claim to whiten your teeth, but the truth about these products is they simply do not perform up to a dentist's standard, and they take weeks to show results. If you have heavily stained teeth or want results in a hurry, then over-the-counter products simply are not for you.
If you only have light staining and you do not mind gradually whitening your teeth over time, or you want to use one of these products to help maintain a dental whitening, then they may be the right choice for you.
Take-home dentist kits
Some dentists will mix up a personalized whitening solution for patients to take home with them and use. These are nearly as effective as dental teeth whitening and make a great alternative to going to the dentist or a supplement to the whitening treatment the dentist uses. They will not get your teeth quite as white, but they are still highly effective.
Whitening from a dentist
The reason that whitening in a dentist's office is so much more effective is that your dentist has access to a higher concentration of whitening agents than what you can buy off the shelf, and they have the added benefit of fluoride and whitening lamps to help improve the performance of the whitening agent. Most patients get their teeth several shades whiter in as little as one treatment.
If you want your teeth whiter in a hurry and you want drastic results, then this is the option for you. The use of fluoride in the treatment even helps to strengthen tooth enamel as an added benefit, making this whitening well worth the cost.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening is something that most people like to take advantage of. At the end of the day, the option that works best for you will depend on things like your time, your budget, and how white you really want your teeth. If you have the time, at-home kits will eventually whiten your teeth. If you want something faster, talk with your dentist about in-office or at-home whitening.
Request an appointment or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at 941-676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.
Related Posts
General dentistry is where practitioners provide various treatments for tooth decay, trauma, crowding, gum disease, and other oral conditions. According to the CDC, over 90% of people have at least one cavity. Tooth decay is one of the most common problems general dentists treat.General dentists offer various treatments for a wide array of conditions, including…
Dental patients can visit a general dentistry office for various preventative procedures that promote long-term oral health. For example, dental sealants can protect teeth susceptible to decay, and a dentist may recommend this treatment option for multiple reasons.Sealants are wafer-thin coatings of resin or plastic a dentist places over the chewing surfaces of back teeth…
Your teeth are made of enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, but they can still break. If you suffer a broken tooth, do not panic. General dentistry has a variety of options available to fix it.You should visit your general dentistry office as soon as possible following a chipped, fractured, or broken tooth in…