Should I Use Take-Home or In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that typically uses a bleaching solution to remove surface stains from teeth. The final result creates a more youthful and healthy looking smile. In the past, teeth whitening was only offered as an in-office treatment, however, today there are many take-home teeth whitening kits. While both of these options will help to whiten and brighten your smile, each has its own pros and cons.
The Pros and Cons of Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Take-home teeth whitening kits come in several styles. There are teeth whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, whitening trays, whitening gels and even whitening solution-light combinations. The cost of these take-home kits will range from a few dollars for the toothpastes to over $20 for the more advanced teeth whitening kits.
The most obvious advantage offered by take-home teeth whitening kits is price. Take-home teeth whitening is a lot more affordable than in-office treatments. Another advantage of these kits is that they are convenient. You can buy them from nearly any grocery, drug or department store and use them when you want to.
On the other hand, take-home teeth whitening kits do have a few drawbacks. First of all, the results from these kits take longer to see and are usually not as good as the results produced by an in-office teeth whitening treatment. Next, you have to apply the product yourself. This means your results can be impacted by application errors that you make.
The Pros and Cons of In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedures
In-office teeth whitening procedures typically include a peroxide solution and a light treatment. The advantages of getting your teeth whitened by a dentist include better quality whitening products, more effective whitening and professional application of the whitening treatment. The drawbacks to this teeth whitening option are a higher cost and a lower convenience rate.
Selecting an Option
The teeth whitening option that you select is most likely going to be determined by the price of the treatment, the reason you want to whiten your teeth and your overall dental health. People who are just looking for a quick brightening of their teeth will generally use an over-the-counter whitening kit, while those planning ahead for a special event are going to be more willing to pay for a dental treatment. On the other hand, if a person has other dental problems, like tooth decay or chipped enamel, then in-office treatment is the better option, because the dentist will be able to address the other problems affecting your dental health and appearance.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.
Eisla Sebastian is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.