Comparing In-Office and At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments
A bright and charming smile is one of the best assets one could have—not only does it improve your appearance and boost confidence, but it also opens doors of opportunity. One of the most popular dental treatments availed of by many is teeth whitening, which comes in at-home kits or in-office professional treatments. In today’s article, we will compare these two methods so you can choose which option works better for your needs and preferences.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening refers to the cosmetic dental treatments used to make your natural teeth look whiter and brighter. It includes a variety of methods like bleaching, sanding down teeth stains, or even using ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. You can have them do them from the comfort of your home using whitening kits, or you can schedule an appointment with your local dentist.
What is in-office teeth whitening?
This type of dental teeth whitening is done by the dentist or other dental professional at the clinic, where they apply whitening agents to the surface of your teeth to make them brighter. This certain agent is activated under a special light, which speeds up the whitening process, giving you that pearly white smile.
Pros of in-office teeth whitening:
- It provides faster results.
- Done under professional supervision.
- Your treatment is customized and tailored for you.
Cons of in-office teeth whitening:
- It’s pricier than at-home kits.
- There are accessibility and availability concerns.
- It may lead to teeth sensitivity.
What are at-home whitening kits?
Based on the name itself, at-home whitening kits can be done at home, and you can purchase them at the local drugstore or in your local dental clinics. The kit usually contains a similar whitening agent used in dental offices, either in gel or strips, which are applied to the surface of your teeth for a certain time. At-home whitening kits are the popular choice for people who want to do it at their own convenience, allowing more space for comfort and flexibility.
Pros of at-home whitening kits:
- They are way cheaper than in-house whitening.
- They’re easy to do.
- You can see gradual results with continued use.
Cons of at-home whitening kits:
- It takes longer to achieve your desired whitening results.
- It could lead to uneven teeth whitening.
- At-home kits can also result in increased sensitivity and gum irritation.
Choosing the right method: which teeth whitening works best for you.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which teeth-whitening method works best for you. Some crucial factors that you need to stress are budget, accessibility, and time. If you have the funds and want to see a dramatic change and brighter results, then you should opt for in-office whitening since their results are much more polished at the hands of the professional.
On the other hand, if you’re on a tight budget and want to try out teeth whitening by yourself, then it’s better to get the alternative and settle for at-home kits instead.
Ultimately, it’s best to have your teeth assessed by your dentist first so they can check if your teeth condition is ideal for teeth whitening treatments.