Everyone wants a bright and beautiful smile, but whitening your own smile can be a risky business. Today’s society seems obsessed with having whiter teeth, and you can find many products at your local store or pharmacy that are marketed as teeth whitening treatments. However, these kits and treatments are not always of adequate quality. Here are some of the dangers that come with do-it-yourself dental whitening methods as well as a few reasons why teeth whitening is best left to dental professionals.
What Are Some DIY Whitening Methods?
If you go to your grocery store or pharmacy, you may see a selection of teeth whitening kits or toothpastes available for purchase. While whitening toothpastes from reputable brands can deliver safe whitening results over time, they aren’t going to radically brighten your smile. Store-bought teeth whitening kits, on the other hand, are often of shoddy make and may contain low-quality whitening agents. The one-size-fits-all dental trays they contain can cause uneven whitening or injuries due to the soft tissue being exposed to harsh whitening agents.
However, the rise of the Internet has seen the proliferation of a few at-home teeth whitening methods. Some of them use abrasive agents like activated charcoal or acidic agents like lemon juice to wear away the discolored enamel. Unfortunately, removing one’s own enamel in these ways can make your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to injury and tooth decay.
How Can My Dentist Whiten My Teeth?
Fortunately, your local dentist can administer teeth whitening treatments that can safely deliver fantastic results. These treatments come in the form of in-office procedures and take-home kits and can leave your teeth up to ten shades brighter.
If you are having your teeth whitened through an in-office procedure, your dentist will place barriers in your mouth to protect the soft tissues like the gums, cheeks, and tongue. They will then apply a few coats of whitening agent to your teeth before treating them with a special UV light. This procedure can deliver knockout results and takes only about an hour.
If you’d prefer to whiten your teeth at home, your dentist can provide you with a teeth whitening kit that includes professional-grade whitening gel and special dental trays customized to fit your teeth. You’ll only need to apply the gel to the trays and wear them over your teeth for about an hour every day for two weeks. These professional kits produce results far superior to those of any whitening product you can buy at the store.
About the Author
Dr. J.D. Hansen earned his dental degree at the University of Louisville and completed a year-long residency at the University of Utah. He has received advanced training in cosmetic and implant dentistry. His office in Cottonwood Heights offers preventive, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening treatments. For more information on the benefits of professional teeth whitening, contact his office online or dial (801) 293-1234.