5 Good Reasons to Have Your Teeth Whitened by Your Dentist
7 September 2021
Have you ever wondered why some individuals have perpetually white teeth whereas your pearly whites seem to have a yellowish hue, despite having a complete dental hygiene regime?
Teeth discolouration happens when your tooth’s enamel is stained due to a variety of factors such as food choices, excessive caffeine intake and tobacco use, to name a few.
The good news is that you do not have to live with discoloured teeth all your life.
If you would like your teeth whiter and brighter, the best way is to start speaking to the person who knows your teeth best – your dentist. The reason why we’re encouraging this is because teeth whitening options are widely available in the market. Therefore, it’s vital that you use products manufactured in compliance with the relevant dental health standards and use them safely according to the product’s instructions.
Your dentist will be able to help you make the right choice. Let’s explore some of the options available.
At-home kits or in-office treatments?
Teeth whitening options range from at-home kits to in-office treatments but which is the most effective of them all? We lay it all for you, including its lasting effects!
Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes are widely available over-the-counter and they’re pocket-friendly too. They work as an abrasive cleaner to remove stains from the surface of your teeth.
This option is a classic example of ‘you get what you pay for’. It is only able to lighten your teeth by one or two shades and the effect comes to a halt when you stop using the product.
Lasting power: None
Whitening strips
Another inexpensive option is the whitening strips, which are easy to use and generally, its results are a little more promising than whitening toothpastes. All you’ll need to do is to apply the whitening strip on your teeth. One of the downsides is that the prolonged use of hydrogen peroxide products can damage the enamel and lead to teeth sensitivity and pain.
Lasting power: Approximately 6 to 12 months
Take-home whitening kits
Take-home whitening kits issued by your dentist are the most effective do-it-yourself teeth whitening solution as they have a higher hydrogen peroxide concentration. These kits are cheaper and the second best option to chairside treatment. However, it requires consistent effort to see gradual results as compared to chairside whitening.
Lasting power: Approximately 1 year
Chairside whitening
Having your teeth whitened at the dental clinic gives excellent results. Among all options, chairside whitening is the safest, quickest and most effective as it is the only treatment performed by a dentist. A chairside whitening session is known to be a lunch time procedure, and at the end of the session you’ll walk out of the dental clinic with whiter and brighter teeth with its effects lasting much longer than any other teeth whitening option.
Lasting power: Approximately 1 to 3 years
Your dentist does it best
Getting your teeth whitened by a professional does have its benefits. Here are 5 good reasons:
Reason #1 It’s much faster
Teeth whitening products found on shelves can take days or even weeks before you’re able to see visible results. Chairside whitening is the most effective option and it takes about 60 to 90 minutes for a session to complete. There’s no need to wait for anything else, the moment you step off the dental chair, you’ll be having a whiter set of pearly whites already!
Reason #2 It is not a gamble
With store-bought teeth whitening kits, there is no guarantee with regards to the effectiveness of the product. Therefore, there’s always a possibility that your time, money and effort will go to waste. In other words, it’s a hit or miss when it comes to store-bought whitening kits. The advantage of having your dentist take charge of your teeth-whitening plan is because a higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide is used to whiten your teeth. Hence, increasing the effectiveness of your treatment and leaving longer lasting results.
Reason #3 It’s safer
Having your dentist whiten your teeth would mean that you’re leaving your teeth in safe hands, as your dentist will start with a proper diagnosis and treatment planning to ensure the safety of the treatment. At-home teeth whitening options are attractive as they are cheaper and widely available, but they can be ineffective and unsafe to use due to the percentage of hydrogen peroxide used.
Reason #4 Longer-lasting results
Dentists can use higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide as they are trained in proper usage, exposure time and suitability. This coupled with the use of LED lights and laser technology will produce more effective and lasting results. After a teeth whitening session with your dentist, you’ll be able to go about life as normal as you need not worry about having to diligently apply or use any products daily.
Reason #5 You’ll receive more than just whitened teeth
Your dentist will look into the health of your teeth such as cleaning your teeth and gums, fill any cavities and ensure that your teeth are fit to undergo the process. Therefore, having your teeth whitened at the dentist does not only give you aesthetically pleasing teeth but also a healthy set of teeth. This step is crucial, as your treatment will be tailored to your dental needs.
Our team of dentist are well-versed with teeth whitening options including those available over-the-counter. Have a discussion with them to make a better judgment call on your teeth whitening choice, understand the precautions, and learn about the ways to reduce teeth staining and discolouration in the future.