Which teeth whitening procedure is best? At home VS. In the chair
Australian’s nationwide love a bright white smile. Unfortunately though, eating, drinking, smoking and enamel erosion in general, all contribute to the yellow stains on your teeth. At home and professional teeth whitening procedures can help you brighten your pearly whites. So, which is the right procedure to invest in? Unfortunately, there is no correct answer. Treatments depend upon the individuals desired results, their teeth and their budget.
Store Bought
Teeth whitening products that can be purchased from supermarkets and chemists include gels & trays, strips and toothpastes. Although these products show immediate results, they don’t last long-term. Most teeth whitening toothpastes don’t contain any chemicals such as bleach or peroxide. This means, they only manage to remove surface stains, whitening your teeth by one or two shades. On the other hand, many store bought gels and strips do contain these chemicals and provide more noticeable results. These options provide results that can last a couple of weeks.
Professional Take-home
At-home teeth whitening kits that have been provided by your dentist provide a number of benefits. Aside from scheduling your treatments around your lifestyle, your dentist will be able to advise and oversee your teeth whitening process.
Your take-home teeth whitening kits will include:
- Mould of your teeth will be taken to provide you with custom fit moulds.
- Dental grade whitening agents (such as gel).
- Instructions on how and when to use your trays and gel.
In the Chair
In-chair teeth whitening performed by your dentist often offers great results after just one visit. With professional experience and access to stronger bleaching chemicals, this treatment is a great option for those people who would like to have instantly whiter teeth and do not like the idea of incorporating at home whitening into their current daily routine. Having your dentist whiten your teeth is the greatest way to achieve the best possible results.
Lasting approximately 2 hours, your dentist will apply a bleaching gel to your teeth. In order to assist the bleach, a LED light will then be aimed over your teeth for up to an hour. Immediately, you will see the results!
Depending on your lifestyle and dietary habits, results may last for up to a year. It is important to note that for the 24 hours following your procedure, you will need to avoid all food and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as tea, coffee and red wine. Avoiding smoking is also advised.
No matter what process of teeth whitening you choose to undertake, you must remember that it involves at home maintenance. This may include whitening toothpastes or the use of gels and trays. Be sure to consult with your dentist if you are unsure of what to do. If you have any questions, Charlestown Dental Centre can help. Contact us today.
