Professional Teeth Whitening vs Non-Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening’s availability and popularity have been growing steadily, and teeth whitening in Florida has become one of the most common cosmetic treatments. But if you’ve been considering whitening your teeth, you’ve probably noticed that many pharmacies and grocery stores offer relatively inexpensive over-the-counter whitening kits. And it may seem that this is an easier way to whiten your teeth; without the hassle of visiting the dentist.

At iSmile by Dr. Sonia Olivares, however, we feel that the best, quickest, safest, and most efficient way to whiten your teeth is to use our professional whitening services in Florida. Let’s examine your dental options, and which seems to be best!

Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits

Over-the-counter whitening kits are widely available in most supermarkets and drugstores. As with all over-the-counter treatments, they have their pros and cons, which include the following:

 
Pros

1. Teeth Whitening Toothpastes/Washes

 

Toothpaste

• Toothpaste contains at least a mild abrasive to help keep the surface of your teeth free from stains, you can also purchase a toothpaste that use special polishing or bleaching agents to whiten the teeth.
• It takes weeks to have an effect, and if your stains are due to habits such as smoking or drinking coffee, they will not be effective.

Mouth wash

• Rinses are swirled around in the mouth and then spat out. Because they remain in the mouth for such a short time, they have minimal effect.
• Whitening rinses can take up to 12 weeks to see results, and the results are not very dramatic.

2. Teeth Whitening Gels and Strips

• Teeth whitening strips and gels are generally peroxide-based and work by extended contact with the teeth.
• Some gels are applied with a brush and can work in as soon as a few days. 
• The whitening only lasts up to about four months.
• Whitening strips take away the inconvenience of the brush, as the gel is held in place on the strips. 
• You apply the strips twice daily and typically do so for two weeks.

3. OTC Teeth Bleaching

• These mass-produced trays are filled with whitening gel and placed over the teeth.
• Trays are mass-produced that unlikely to fit well and can rub and irritate gums. The gel can also leak out, leading to irritation to the gum and stomach (if swallowed).
• They don’t come with professional supervision, which can make them dangerous for people who try to speed up the whitening process by overusing them.

Potential problems with Over-the-Counter whitening (Cons)

1.Burning/damage

• Unsupervised teeth whitening can lead to improper application, resulting in damaged gums and soft tissues over-the-counter bleaching gels can cause: 
  • mouth infections
  • blistering and burns to gums
  • damage to nerves and tooth enamel
  • gum-recession.

2.Tooth damage

• Active ingredients found in three over-the-counter products, could: in the presence of acid
  • reduce the hardness of the teeth 
  • increase the likeliness for future surface abrasions of the teeth

3.Inefficient

• A major problem with over-the-counter whiteners is that they are not as effective as professional whitening.
• Over-the-counter whitening is less effective and lasts considerably less time.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening treatments are conducted in your dentist’s office. There are a variety of treatments available, and your dentist will suggest the right one for you. The quickest, safest, and most effective teeth whitening procedure is a professional tooth whitening from your Florida dentist, Dr. Sonia Olivares.

1.Professional treatments are highly effective.

• Your teeth will emerge from a professional treatment whiter and brighter than they will with any over-the-counter treatment. 
• The results from a professional treatment can last for years, unlike over-the-counter treatments which need to be addressed more often.

 

2.Results are more consistent with professional treatments. 

• Over-the-counter treatments are prone to user error, and the results can reflect that via uneven whitening or splotchy outcomes. 
• Professional treatments give a uniform shine to your teeth.

 

3.Professional treatments are faster and safer than over-the-counter treatments. 

• Faster, in that professional whitening treatments can generally be completed with one visit to the dentist and can deliver results that will last for years. 
• Safer, in that, while professional treatments use stronger chemicals and more rigorous procedures they are performed by a trained professional with patient safety foremost in their mind.

 

Teeth Whitening at iSmile Dental  With Your Local Dentist – Dr. Sonia Olivares

With Dr. Sonia Olivares we provide each patient with the care that gives them healthy teeth and a beautiful smile for life!

We offer an extensive range of dental services, including: 

• Preventative dentistry
• Restorative dental options
• Cosmetic dentistry solutions for straighter and whiter teeth.

We pride ourselves on listening to the needs and concerns of all our patients and aim to provide you with the personalized attention you and your family deserve. For more information on our cosmetic dentistry Florida, please contact our dental spa.