Home Teeth Whitening

Whiter teeth can help to give you a boost in confidence, and can remove any trepidation you may have about showing your teeth when you smile. Still, an in-office treatment isn’t the best option for all patients. The good news is there are different ways to whiten teeth that don’t involve expensive, in-office whitening. Before learning about the different options to whiten teeth, though, it’s important to understand what teeth whitening is.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that involves the use of a topically applied whitening agent either at-home in specially designed trays, or having a dentist and staff apply a series of chemically activated whitening gels in the dental office.

What Options Are Available to Whiten Teeth?

There are a variety of different options to whiten teeth—both with the help of a dentist, and at-home. These options will fall into one of two categories:

• At-Home
• In-Office

In-office treatments allow a dentist to control the whitening process—ensuring that it is done properly. It also is a lot faster than at-home whitening. Actually, most in-office whitening can be completed in less than two hours. The only real downside is the cost, which can be a bit higher than at-home options, but the results can be amazing!

For at-home whitening, patients have quite a few options that allow them to whiten teeth. These include:

• Professional At-Home Treatment
• Whitening Toothpaste
• Whitening Mouthwash
• Whitening Gum
• Teeth Strips

Some of these options are more effective than others, but they all have the potential to whiten the teeth of a patient.

Why At-Home Whitening?

For a lot of patients, at-home whitening can be more convenient and more affordable. For very minor whitening, over the counter strips may be enough. For more advanced whitening, though, a patient will need to consider different bleaching treatment options. For tetracycline stained teeth - we have options in the office that can make a dramatic difference, unfortunately the over the counter options will not work in this instance.

Professional Versus Over-the-Counter At-Home Whitening

When it comes to more advanced treatment at-home, there are two main options:

• Whitening Strips
• At-Home Professional Whitening Solution

While many people find whitening strips an easier way to whiten teeth, they can actually be pretty dangerous. Some patients do not have strong enough enamel to support a tooth whitening treatment. Because of this, the whitening materials can cause severe damage to their teeth. This is why it’s extremely important to visit a dentist to discuss what options you have available to whiten teeth. They may take a look and notice that you are not a candidate for advanced treatment, and they may suggest simply sticking to toothpaste and mouthwash. Even if your dentist decides that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, they will likely suggest professional whitening treatment. If you choose at-home treatment through your dentist,
they will create a custom tray for your specific teeth. They will also provide you with a high-quality teeth whitening solution.

Speak with Your Dentist About the Best Way to Whiten Teeth

Even if you decide to go with over-the-counter whitening strips, make sure to speak with your dentist about whether or not you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. This will help to ensure that you safely whiten your teeth, and don’t damage the enamel.

Baer Dental Designs in Lone Tree, CO is your choice for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you're interested in professional teeth whitening, contact us today.

If you're interested in reading more about teeth whitening, here's some information how teeth are whitened.