Choosing Between Professional Teeth Whitening and Over the Counter Products

Have you finally reached a point where enough is enough and you would like to bleach or whiten your teeth? There are a number of teeth whitening products on the market now ranging from quite inexpensive to professional quality in office treatments. This article will help you understand how to choose between an over the counter product and a visit to the dentist. After you have finished reading you will be familiar with the cost of different options, the differences in their active ingredients, and the proper ways to maintain your fresh new smile for as long as possible.

The Cost of Various Tooth Whitening Options

The choice most people go with is the over the counter products, such as strips or one size fits all tooth trays with bleaching gel. The cost of these products is generally pretty low, ranging from twenty dollars for the adhesive strips to around a hundred for the trays and gels.

Professional treatments cost more, but are also more effective. A professional treatment may whiten your teeth by up to 7 full shades. A dentist can provide you with a custom made tray that fits the shape of your mouth, which you can then take home and use with a high strength gel. These trays allow you to bleach the entire mouth, rather than the over the counter kits which may only cover the front teeth. A professionally dispensed take home kit will range from one hundred to four hundred dollars.

The highest priced (and most effective) professional treatment is the in office treatment. An in office treatment will take a little over an hour and will accomplish the bleaching effect in just one sitting. This is quicker than the at home treatments that can take multiple uses to achieve the desired effect.

Active Ingredients

There are two main bleaching agents used in these treatments – Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is the more potent of the two and is generally used for in office treatments. This allows the whitening effect to happen more quickly so you dont have to sit around in the dentist office forever! It is not used for take home products because the gums need to be protected with a specially made rubber dam to eliminate the risk of discoloration.

Carbamide peroxide is a lower strength version which has approximately one third the potency of hydrogen peroxide. Because it is slower acting, carbamide peroxide is more appropriate for at home use. Both the take home trays and the whitening strips use carbamide peroxide as their main active ingredient.

Maintaining Your Teeth

Once you have had the procedure done and are happy with the effects, you will want to make sure you keep your new smile in good shape. The most important time to protect the new whiter surfaces is in the first week after your treatment is complete. Make sure you do not eat or drink darkly colored foods that could stain your teeth during that first week.

In addition, you will want to adhere to proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss after each meal and before bed time to keep your teeth looking bright for a long time.

Finally, be aware that these treatments are not a permanent solution. Over time stains and darker colors will build up through normal use of your teeth. You will need another treatment approximately once per year to keep your teeth looking their best.

As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing between a professional or over the counter tooth bleaching treatment. Now that you know the differences in cost, technology, and a little more about how to maintain your new look you should feel more confident in making a final decision!

Stephan Goldberg maintains local directories such as Teeth Whitening Denver in order to provide a valuable resource to people interested in exploring their treatment options. For more information please visit TeethWhiteningDenver.org.