Do your teeth look yellow, dull, or stained? Are you considering purchasing an over-the-counter whitening product such as a gel, paste, or white strip? Buyer beware! Before you waste your hard-earned money, here’s why you’re better off getting professional whitening from your trusted dentist, and why buying those storebought kits can be harmful to your oral health!
Dental Dangers: Over the Counter Whitening Kits
While it’s true that over-the-counter teeth whitening products contain diluted ingredients, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safer than their stronger counterparts. That’s because if you have any untreated dental problems like gum disease, tooth infections, or cavities, even weakened chemicals can make them worse. Thus, a trip to your dentist can help ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and strong enough to withstand treatment.
Stopping Sensitivity
A common issue some patients experience following teeth whitening is sensitivity. This is because the chemicals travel into the tiny pores into your teeth, stripping away minerals. To remedy this, you can try brushing with a sensitive toothpaste for a few days after treatment, however if you use an OTC product, you could be extending that sensitivity because these products take much longer to achieve noticeable results. With professional care, you can expect to remove up to eight shades of stains and discoloration in about two weeks. This means that you’ll need less exposure to chemicals, and likely experience less sensitivity after.
Refill and Retouch
Finally, with professional whitening there’s no need to worry about periodic touch-ups. Your custom whitening trays are yours to keep, and your dentist can refill your whitening chemicals as needed, so there’s no reason to waste more time and money on ineffective OTC products ever again!
Remember, whitening your teeth can be a safe and effective treatment, but it should only be done under the watchful eye of a trained dentist. Don’t put your smile at risk with ineffective OTC products. Speak to your dentist today about professional tooth whitening.
About Our Practice
At Lakeland Dental Care, Dr. Abernathy and Dr. Malley are proud to help Jackson patients get their whitest, brightest smiles ever! Don’t waste time and money and put your teeth at risk. Schedule a consultation for professional whitening by visiting our website, or call us today at 601-981-8166.