Over-the-counter teeth whitening products seem to combine both convenience and quality. With just a quick store purchase and home application, you’re on the fast track to beautifully whitened teeth. But do these products deliver on their hype? Can you trust them to give you a white smile worthy of Hollywood?
Well, not really. To know why that’s the case, here’s a summary of DIY whiteners’ promises and results, including why professional teeth whitening is better.
What DIY Whiteners Promise
DIY teeth whiteners claim they can whiten your teeth using one of two approaches.
The first one works by bleaching the tooth enamel from yellow to white. Store-bought bleaching trays, whitening strips, and similar kits employ this method. Wearing the trays or strips for several weeks will supposedly remove tooth stains and leave your smile demonstrably whiter than before.
The second whitening method uses abrasives to remove stains from your enamel. Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes are examples of this practice. Applying them to your teeth through brushing, rinsing, or chewing should result in pearly whites in just a few days.
What DIY Whiteners Deliver
DIY whiteners aren’t as effective as advertised. Plus, using them will likely damage your teeth.
Store-bought bleaching trays and whitening strips rely on chemicals like carbamide peroxide, which can induce tooth sensitivity and mouth sores. While they sometimes work, their results probably won’t meet your expectations.
Dentists rarely recommend whitening toothpaste and rinses since they can rub too hard and erode your tooth enamel. Adding insult to injury, they usually don’t stay on your teeth long enough to whiten them.
Professional Whitening: The Better Choice
It’s safe to say that dentists have the safest and most effective teeth whitening services. An obvious example would be professional cleaning that removes stains and excess plaque from your teeth.
A cosmetic dentist could recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding to give you a whiter, younger-looking smile. If bleaching becomes necessary, they can do so in-office with customized trays and vetted ingredients. Overall, it’s best to speak with a professional about whitening options rather than rely on dangerous over-the-counter products.
Even if DIY whiteners don’t live up to the hype, you can still obtain a whiter smile. See your local dentist for recommendations and possible treatments that could give you truly dazzling teeth!
About the Practice
Meadowbrook Dental Care is based in Mineola, NY. Headed by several experienced dentists, their team strives to give patients an enjoyable, stress-free dental experience. Their services include excellent preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. They also provide sedation dentistry to help visitors with anxiety over lengthy treatment. Their cosmetic dentists are even qualified Invisalign providers. For more information, the practice can be reached at its website or by phone at (516)-284-1234.