Whitening Products Available from Dentists

You can whiten your teeth in the comfort of your home or your dental professional's office.

• Over the counter. You can purchase treatments at the store. They include whitening toothpaste, gels, or strips, to name a few.
• In-office. There are many whitening treatments applied by and in your dentist's office. They produce better results than over the counter products.
• Dental dispensed for home use. These professional-grade whiteners are provided to you by your dental professional.

If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening, here are some things to consider.

If you think a dentist dispensed home whitening treatment is right for you, set up an appointment with your dental office for an evaluation. Your dental professional will assess your teeth whitening needs and make a recommendation that is best for you. Here’s what that may look like:

• Your dental professional will provide you with a home professional whitening system that uses advanced ionic technology. It’s comfortable and portable, and you wear it for ten minutes a day for ten days.
  
  
• Dentist-prescribed whitening options include a whitening gel with an active ingredient — usually a form of peroxide-to bleach your teeth.
  
  
• Your whitening gel most likely will contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of 10-22%. You will be instructed to wear the tray daily for a few hours or overnight for a specific period of time.
  
  
• If you experience temporary sensitivity or gum irritation, consult your dentist. He or she may recommend a fluoride at-home treatment or advise you to stop the bleaching process for a minimal period of time.

You may wonder how much this costs? Dentist dispensed home whitening may cost $300 or more. Once you have a custom mouth tray or whitening device, you will only need to buy touch up material to keep your teeth white.

There are many teeth whitening options available. If you are ready to make a big difference and have a whiter, brighter smile, a dentist-approved whitening treatment that you can do at home may be perfect for you. Talk to your dental professional to get started.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.