If you’re looking to whiten your smile, you have a choice between going to a dental professional to get a teeth whitening procedure done or purchasing one of those at-home kits from a drugstore or grocery store. Looking at the price tag alone, we know it’s easy to get tempted by those DIY products, but it’s important that you weigh more than just cost so you don’t take a chance on your smile.
We’ve put together a comparison on professional teeth whitening vs. at-home kits to help you make a fully informed decision before going through with brightening your pearly whites.
Quality of Results
The bleaching agents used by dentists for professional teeth whitening treatments are not the same as those used in the whitening toothpaste, strips, and gels you can get off the shelf at a store. Dentists have high-strengthening whitening products, which means not only will you get more dramatic results with them but you’ll also see these results faster.
Additionally, a dental professional can ensure that you receive even results for a uniform whiteness throughout your smile. Otherwise, when you’re doing the treatment on your own, it’s more likely that the products aren’t applied properly, resulting in uneven color.
Convenience
Many people opt for DIY teeth whitening kits because they like that they can brighten their teeth when and where it’s most convenient for them. After all, not everyone may have the time in their schedule for a treatment at the dentist’s office. It’s important to consider though that professional teeth whitening doesn’t always have to be an in-office procedure. Many dentists, including at our dental practice, offer take-home teeth whitening treatments. You can still get professional results with the convenience of DIY kits!
Health & Safety
Since teeth whitening involves a bleaching process, it’s possible that it could lead to some tooth or gum sensitivity when not performed correctly. If you go for a take-home kit, it’s on you to make sure you follow the directions carefully and that you’re using a product that’s been verified as safe.
On the other hand, if you trust a dental professional to whiten your teeth, they’ll have the knowledge and experience to minimize any teeth sensitivity. They’ll also be able to tailor your teeth whitening procedure to suit your needs and will be supervising the treatment to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Price
Yes, there’s no denying that many over-the-counter teeth whitening products are more affordable than their professional equivalents. The thing to remember here is that you’re getting what you pay for. You should also consider how many times you’ll need to buy another take-home kit to get and keep the whitening results you want and whether it’ll end up costing you more in the long run.
Consult with Our Friendly Team!
If you have any more questions about teeth whitening or if you’ve decided that you want a professional to give your smile a bright boost, contact Smiles Dental today. We provide both in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening, and we’d love to help you out.
Discover the Smiles Dental difference today!
Are you ready for the happy, healthy smile of your dreams? When you choose Smiles Dental Services, you’re putting your smile in the hands of highly-trained professionals you can trust. Above all, we provide our patients with leading-edge dentistry that goes above and beyond.
