Teeth whitening is a common procedure that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. But there’s so many varieties, from at-home strips to professional clinics. Which one is right for you?

As you get older, you may notice your teeth have begun to yellow. This is a natural experience that may be due to age, genetics, diet (tea, coffee, soda), or habits (cigarettes). You may wish to restore your original bright, white smile. There are many ways of whitening teeth, so we’ll break it down for you!

How It Works

Tooth whiteners contain an active ingredient called hydrogen peroxide (or carbamide peroxide) which releases oxygen to break down stains. These oxygen molecules react with discoloured molecules to break them down, therefore leaving your teeth looking as white as they originally were!

At Home vs Professional Clinic

You may think it’s easier to take teeth whitening into your own hands, but taking slightly more energy to visit a dental centre is definitely worth your time. It’s up to you to weigh your options:

1. Over the counter (OTC) treatments: available at pharmacies & drug stores. This could include whitening strips or gels. This is the cheapest option, but also the least effective, often yielding little to no results.
2. Take home whitening procedures: treatment kits given to you by the dentist to use at home. Dentists often have access to better and more exclusive products that are not available to the public. This is a very affordable option and has much greater effectiveness than OTCs.
3. In-clinic whitening procedure: this option gives the best results, offering fast change and a noticeably whiter smile. It is the easiest since the dentist will whiten your teeth for you, rather than you doing it yourself. In-clinic procedures are also affordable as they provide the most long-lasting results, so you only have to come once every couple years.

Teeth are very sensitive and very difficult to replace, so using OTC bleaching products comes with a very high risk. The item could be untrusted and contain harmful ingredients. Moreover, you may accidentally leave the product (ie. strips) on for too long. This can all cause irreversible, permanent damage to your teeth and oral health.

Also, fillings and crowns do not react to whitening products, so discolouration or uneven whitening will occur if you try to whiten teeth with fillings. At a clinic, your dentist will carefully examine your mouth to design a tooth whitening procedure that is specifically catered to your individual needs.

Overall, it is far safer and smarter to consult a professional before using any teeth whitening product. Dentists have trusted products and perfected procedures. Plus, these whitening procedures are likely to last you longer than OTC products, anywhere from 8 months to 3 years.

We know how important your smile is to you, and we make it our number one priority. Our doctors are dedicated to patient safety and satisfaction, so visit Cookstown Dental Centre today for a consultation! Quick and easy bookings on cookstowndental.com or call us at 705-291-2222.

Cookstown Dental Team
[email protected]
www.CookstownDental.com

9 Queen St, Cookstown, Ontario, L0L 1L0