If you are planning to whiten your teeth, the critical first step is to select a whitening method. It may seem like there are a multitude of options, but it’s important to remember that they all employ a peroxide-based whitening solution. The difference lies in the strength of the bleaching solution and method of delivery. In-office whitening procedures generally use a solution with a relatively higher concentration of peroxide. In other words, it is stronger.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of DIY and in-office teeth whitening.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Advantages
- Generally less costly
- Doesn’t require a trip to your Bloomington dentist
- May cause less tooth sensitivity and pain
At-Home Teeth Whitening Disadvantages
- Takes longer to achieve the desired level of lightening
- Whitening appliances don’t protect gum tissue
- The solution must be applied many times over weeks
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening Advantages
- Same day results
- Administered by a dental professional
- Gum tissue is protected
- You may be able to pay for it with HSA or flex spending
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening Disadvantages
- More expensive
Did you know that to maintain the brightness achieved from an in-office teeth whitening treatment, a patient must follow up with at-home touch-ups? Therefore, a combination of in-office and DIY methods is often the most effective solution.
A note about non-professional teeth bleaching kiosks:
A few years ago during the height of the tooth-whitening craze, teeth-whitening kiosks started popping up in Bloomington area malls. Though some have closed their doors, a few remain in business. Create A Smile, PC – Dr. Ken Moore urges patients to avoid these establishments. There is little regulatory oversight and customers have no guarantee of the safety of their services or the qualifications of their employees. As always, it is important to only trust your smile to dental professionals.
Create A Smile, PC – Dr. Ken Moore advises patients to meet with their Bloomington dentist before starting any tooth bleaching regimen. An oral examination will help your dentist know if tooth whitening will deliver the results you are seeking. This is especially vital when you have tetracycline stains or multiple restorations.
CONTACT CREATE A SMILE, PC – DR. KEN MOORE:
812-947-7950
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
2815 NORTH WALNUT
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA
47404
