With hundreds of different teeth whitening products available at your fingertips, it can be difficult to know which one is the most effective and can meet your unique needs. Instead of staring at a wall in a department store, do a little research ahead of time by reading below! Learn more about how effective over-the-counter teeth whitening products are and an alternative that may be better suited to your degree of dental stains.
Do All Teeth Whitening Products Contain the Same Ingredients?
You may be surprised to know that not all teeth whitening products are created equally, and because of this, it’s important to know what the main whitening ingredient is in whatever you’re using to brighten your smile.
Higher quality teeth whitening products like take-home kits sold by your dentist contain ingredients that are not only known to brighten your smile, but that are also safe for your teeth. Many teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, but the potency, delivery, and chemical stability of the products can vary, which often determines the quality. If your teeth whitening products contain harsh whitening agents like baking soda, you may want to reconsider your method of brightening your smile.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Differ from Store-Bought?
Professional take-home teeth whitening kits that your dentist sells are accepted by the American Dental Association and have been clinically tested and proven to be safe for your teeth as well as effective. This isn’t always the case for store-bought whitening strips, toothpastes, and trays. Because of this, patients often see more reliable and consistent results when they invest in professional teeth whitening treatment versus store-bought products.
Are There Any Risks Using Store-Bought Teeth Whitening Products?
The main risk of using store-bought teeth whitening products that you won’t have to worry about when you invest in professional teeth whitening is overuse. Because you’re not instructed on the risks of whitening products by a professional when you purchase them in the store, you’re at a much higher risk of enamel erosion by overusing them. It’s also common for people to overuse these products because they’re not as strong, causing people to use them for too long in order to get the results they’re hoping for.
With professional teeth whitening kits, your dentist in DuPont will instruct you on how to use the kit and for how long. In many cases, at-home treatment reveals a smile that’s up to eight shades brighter within just two weeks of use! After this, patients can cease use and do a touch-up treatment down the road if they notice discoloration is occurring again.
While the convenience of store-bought whitening products may draw you to them, it’s important to consider the whole picture of your oral health before investing in any teeth whitening treatment. When you choose products approved by your dentist, you can rest-assured that they won’t damage your smile in the process of brightening it!
About the Practice
At DuPont Family Dentistry, Drs. John Ludu and Rhenu Sharma are passionate about helping their patients feel their absolute best. They offer a wide range of cosmetic dental treatments, including professional take-home teeth whitening, to provide patients with cost-effective and reliable solutions to addressing their smiles’ imperfections. To learn more, schedule an appointment by visiting DuPont Family Dentistry’s website or call 253-964-7000.