One of the top traits that people wish to change about their smiles is the color of their teeth. The good news is that there are countless products that you can purchase from the store and your dentist to help achieve a brighter smile if you feel the same way. The question is, which option is best for you? Is there a difference between store-bought and professional teeth whitening? Read on to learn more about how to brighten your smile safely and most effectively.
What Causes Teeth to Discolor?
Teeth can become stained for a variety of reasons, some that are within your control, and some that aren’t. Certain foods and beverages, like tomato-based sauces, red wine, coffee, and tea, can stain the outermost layer of your tooth, called the enamel. These surface stains can sometimes be erased with store-bought products. You can also develop tooth stains from tobacco use, aging, dental trauma, and as a side-effect from taking certain medications. These typically require professional whitening to achieve a safe and satisfactory result.
How Does Store-Bought Differ from Professional Teeth Whitening?
Both your cosmetic dentist in Midlothian, as well as local department store, offers teeth whitening, but which product should you trust more? Although some store-bought whitening toothpastes and strips may be fine to help brighten your smile if it has minor stains, professional teeth whitening is by far the safest and most impactful option. This makes it better for deeper-seated stains.
Professional teeth whitening kits that you can buy from your dentist have a higher price tag, but the ingredients used are clinically proven to be safe and effective. Unlike store-bought whitening kits that can erode your tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity, professional kits are formulated with special ingredients to prevent these issues. They also come with custom whitening trays to ensure you achieve even results throughout your smile.
Why Should You Invest in Teeth Whitening from Your Dentist?
There are three main reasons why you would want to invest in professional teeth whitening from a dentist instead of store-bought products:
- Reliability: The products and ingredients sold by your dentist have been thoroughly tested and approved by the American Dental Association.
- Safety: Store-bought whitening products can easily be overused, especially if you’re not getting the results you had hoped for. This can lead to unwanted side-effects and even put you at a greater risk of developing cavities. That’s not the case with professional whitening.
- Time: Professional whitening kits will achieve a smile that’s up to eight shades brighter within two weeks of use.
The one obvious downside for many patients about investing in professional treatment from a dentist is the cost. However, the peace of mind that you receive knowing that the products won’t harm your oral health or require frequent touch-ups is often worth the higher bill!
About the Practice
Long Family Dental of Midlothian has been a Texas staple for over 40 years. Family-owned and operated, we see patients looking for a wide variety of dental services, ranging from routine preventive care to cosmetic dentistry. In addition to offering take-home professional teeth whitening kits, we provide personalized veneers to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. To learn more about teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry, visit our website or call 972-775-3192.