Pearly white, sparkling teeth are a feature that millions of Americans desire, as signified by the millions of dollars spent on whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and at-home teeth whitening kits every year. What many people who desire perfectly white teeth do not realize, however, is that they can get better results and save time, money, & effort by having their teeth professionally whitened by a dentist! In this article, we’ll go over the differences between professional teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening products, and talk about the added benefits of having your teeth whitened professionally!

Why Is Professional Teeth Whitening A Better Option?  

More Effective

Professional teeth whitening procedures are proven to be more effective at producing results than at-home whitening kits. DIY teeth whitening products usually contain lower concentrations of bleaching agents, and therefore are not as effective at removing deep stains and whitening teeth significantly. Professional teeth whitening products have higher concentrations of bleaching agents and the procedure often uses lasers and other specialized equipment to enhance the whitening process. For these reasons, the results of professional teeth whitening are typically much more noticeable and longer lasting than at-home whitening kits.

Safer Than DIY Whitening Products 

Another benefit of having your teeth whitened by a professional is that the process is safer than using at-home whitening kits. Because DIY whitening kits contain bleaching agents, they can potentially cause harm to your oral health if they’re not used properly. DIY whitening kits do not come with the guidance of a dental professional who can ensure that the products are being used safely and effectively. In contrast, when you have your teeth whitened by a professional, they will take precautions to protect your gums and other oral tissues that can be negatively affected by bleaching agents if applied incorrectly.

Long-Term Results 

One more benefit of professional teeth whitening that we’ll touch on in this article is that the results are longer lasting than the results given by DIY whitening kits. The results of a professional teeth whitening procedure can last for several months or even up to a year, depending on the patient’s overall oral health and dental hygiene habits. The results from DIY whitening kits typically only last for a couple weeks or less, and require constant use of at-home whitening products to maintain the desired whitening effects.

Contact Gentle Dental Maine!

If you have any additional questions about professional teeth whitening or are considering a cosmetic dental procedure, don’t hesitate to contact Gentle Dental Maine! Our family dentists specialize in general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services at each of our offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Give us a call at one of our offices, or become a patient today by filling out the new patient form on our website!