Long ago, if you wanted to whiten your teeth, only your dentist could provide that kind of treatment. But in 2001, consumer-packaged-goods giant Procter & Gamble introduced tooth-whitening strips that made it easy, convenient, and affordable for people to brighten their smiles at home. Competitive brands soon followed P&G’s lead, and – in recent years – smaller companies were able to get into the game, delivering ads to the Facebook and Instagram feeds of millions of social media users. But dentists throughout the country say that people who use over-the-counter whitening products typically sacrifice quality for convenience and affordability. Here’s why professional tooth whitening in Webster delivers better results than OTC brands.
Ingredients in Professional Tooth Whitening Treatments are Stronger and More Concentrated
Simply put, nothing that you can purchase at a supermarket or online will give you the same kind of results that only dentists have access to. Professional treatments have a higher concentration of the ingredients necessary to whiten your teeth in a shorter period of time than what you can expect from a box of strips, a rinse, or a tube of whitening paste that you can purchase OTC. In fact, rinses and whitening toothpaste are not any more effective than toothpaste that’s not specifically marketed as “whitening.”
Dentists call off-the-shelves “strip” treatments a nice introduction to teeth whitening, but you’re not likely to get the kind of results you want.
Custom Professional Tooth Whitening in Webster for Your Unique Smile
Your dentist can provide better results because your dentist and their team will custom-trim the bleach trays to fit over your teeth and along your gum line. A custom-fitted tray will hold the precise amount of gel required for the time you’re using the tray and keep the gel off your gums, which could irritate them.
Some dentists then allow their patients to take these trays home, where patients can do touch-ups as needed with the products used at the dentist’s office.
At-Home Whitening Treatments Leave Too Much Room for Error
At-home gel-strip whitening products, at best, work to bleach only the front six teeth. But if your teeth are not straight, the strips aren’t going to adhere properly to achieve good results. Even if your teeth are relatively straight, it’s challenging to place the strips so that the bleaching agent will reach every area of the tooth evenly.
Many people who try these OTC whitening products stop using them before they complete the treatment. Reasons for discontinuing use are that they’re messy, usually taste bad, and people do not see the results they expect to see. Occasionally, if you misuse the strips (leave them on for too long, for example), you could actually make your teeth look worse than before you began the treatment.
At-Home Whitening Treatments May be Harmful to Your Health
Generally, the risk for harm is due to the careless use of the products. This can include leaving them on for too long, using them for an extended number of days over what’s recommended, or ingesting the chemicals.
Overall, it’s best to visit your dentist, who will evaluate your teeth to find the best treatment for you. You can trust that your dentist will then apply the treatment correctly, in the proper concentration, and in a tray that is custom-fit for your mouth. If affordability is an issue, your dentist can often recommend a treatment option that suits your budget.
Get the Results You Want with Professional Tooth Whitening in Webster
Empire Dental Care in Webster, NY, offers whitening treatments that are custom-designed and individually fitted for each of our patients. Our professional staff has the experience and training to administer the treatment properly. You won’t have to fuss with messy strips that are difficult to use, taste terrible, and often don’t work to your satisfaction. We have different options for whitening treatments, so get in touch with us to schedule a consultation. Don’t waste any more time with OTC whitening products. Let the team at Empire Dental Care deliver the results you want in just one visit. Call us today at 585.671.1650!
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[1] https://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/experts-professional-vs-over-the-counter-teeth-whitening.aspx