Even if you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly every day, you may notice that your smile begins to lose its sparkle over time. Proper oral hygiene can go a long way in preventing stains, but factors like ageing, medications, coffee, tea and even some of your favourite foods can all contribute to tooth discolouration or yellowing.
If you've considered whitening your teeth, you may already know that the cost of professional teeth whitening can be high — much more expensive than at-home alternatives. But in-office teeth whitening (often called chairside bleaching) is one of the safest and most effective whitening methods. Here's how to decide whether your condition is worth the cost.
What Makes Professional Whitening Different?
Many forms of teeth whitening, including over-the-counter (OTC) products, prescription gels and professionally applied treatments at your dentist's office, contain carbamide peroxide as their primary bleaching agent.But the composition of chairside bleaching is what generally distinguishes it from the rest of the solutions on the market, making the cost of professional teeth whitening a bit higher as a result.
Stronger Bleaching Agents
Unlike at-home whitening kits, which contain low-dose bleaching agents, professional in-office whitening procedures are carefully monitored and contain a higher concentration of bleaching gel. For this reason, keep in mind that some patients receiving this treatment do report a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity and mild irritation in the soft tissues of the mouth.
Faster Results
Nevertheless, because the concentration of professionally applied bleaching gel is stronger than what you'd get in an at-home whitening product, results are visible immediately rather than several weeks later. At-home products, those offered by your dentist, and OTC items are intended for use over a two- to four-week period, whereas the in-office professional procedure is usually completed in about one hour.
Dental Supervision
One of the major drawbacks to OTC products, such as bleaching trays, is that they don't require you to undergo a dental examination or consultation first. Anyone considering a whitening treatment should have a dental examination to ensure their gums and teeth are healthy enough for bleaching, and in order to determine whether their type of staining or discolouration can be improved. In addition, some bleaching materials can affect the filling material you may already have in your molars, and result in colour mismatch with similar dental work.
Most importantly, tooth discolouration may be caused by a specific underlying disease or condition that requires dental therapy, so seeing your dentist before brightening your smile can save you a lot of trouble in the long term.
Is Professional Whitening Worth It For You?
Once you've visited your dentist and have been cleared for teeth whitening, choosing a method to use is a matter of budget and personal preference. If you're looking for fast results and a dramatic whitening effect, professional in-office whitening is your best option. If your teeth are hyper-sensitive, however, your dentist may choose to send you home with a custom-fitted whitening tray, which contains a lower concentration of bleach than an in-office treatment.
More gradual whitening effects may of course be preferable for those who aren't racing toward a special occasion. Whitening toothpastes are always appropriate, and aim to whiten teeth while sealing out future stains. Although these products do not work as quickly as professional treatments, they are extremely convenient in pursuit of the smile you deserve.
