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DIY Teeth Whitening vs Professional Teeth Whitening: What’s the Difference?

Teeth Whitening

Teeth are an important part of our overall appearance. We not only use our teeth to bite and chew, but to talk and smile. Sadly, however, it is common for people to have stained or yellowish teeth due to several reasons including age, dental hygiene, and eating habits.

When you fail to take good care of your teeth, it not only damages the shininess of your teeth but can also lower your self-esteem and prevent you from smiling more often. Making it important to find a way to brighten your teeth.

While it’s a common for people to have stained or discolored teeth, there is a solution that can make your teeth shine bright like diamonds.  This solution is teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening can be performed in two ways. The first option is to do it yourself by going to the store and buying an OTC teeth whitening cream or kit. And the second option, which is the more preferred option for obvious reasons, is to go to a Richardson dentist and get your teeth professionally whitened.

What’s the difference between DIY teeth whitening and professional teeth whitening? We explain below:

Professional Teeth Whitening (In Office)

Professional teeth whitening is when you go to the dentist and have them whiten your teeth.  Your dentist will examine your teeth and choose the best whitening gel for your teeth.

Your dentist will look at all the details, including the state of your current teeth and past dental history, and then create a whitening gel that is customized specifically for you..

Using a customized whitening gel is the best way to get your desired results. Your dentist will use several chemicals and other ingredients to create your whitening gel, with the amount of each ingredient dependent on different factors like how poorly stained your teeth are and your overall dental health.

This way the risk is minimized as the amount of chemical or gel that is applied to your teeth is just right, hence no side effects. Plus, the procedure is also painless and quick.

The dentist first applies the gel on your teeth and then lights a laser on it to activate the gel. In some cases, just one visit is enough but several visits may be required to achieve your desired look.

The best thing about going to your dentist to get your teeth whitened is having peace of mind that your teeth are in expert care. Safety is big concern when it comes to teeth whitening because it’s not the same as brushing your teeth. The whitening gel is composed of strong chemicals and acids that may damage your teeth or nearby areas for if not applied with extreme care.

DIY Teeth Whitening (At Home)

This procedure involves buying over the counter (OTC) teeth whitening creams, strips, or gels and whitening your teeth at home. This is a very common method of teeth whitening.

However you should know that it is not recommended, as using OTC whitening kits (creams, strips, or gels) aren’t ADA approved. There are a lot of risks involved when whitening your teeth yourself,  including losing your teeth.

Why Shouldn’t You Perform Teeth Whitening by Yourself?

According to a test conducted in 2002 by the University of Southern California, 100 students participated in a teeth whitening study where their teeth were whitened using over the counter whitening gel. The outcome of the test wasn’t fruitful as most of the students experienced sensitivity for several days. While some did see improvement in whiteness, the sensitivity was too much of a nuisance.

Moreover, there are other side effects as well. The biggest problem being poor shade. These OTC teeth whitening kits often work unevenly, causing some teeth to look whiter than the others. This can be very unsightly and prevent you from smiling like normal.

In addition to this, some over the counter whitening kits also contain chemicals that may cause cavities and even damage the teeth. Plus, even if it works, in-home treatments do not last very long.

When you whiten your teeth at home, you’re using a generic whitening gel that may not be suited for your teeth. This can cause several problems, like your teeth may not remain whiter for as long or you may need to repeat the process after a few months.

DIY teeth whitening also takes a lot of time. It could take weeks or even months to get the desired results.

Get Your Teeth Whitened at Your Dentist

If want bright, shiny pearly whites, always choose to get your teeth professionally cleaned at your dentist. If you’re in Texas, then look no further than Signature Dental. Our dental practice offers the most advanced teeth whitening treatment at affordable rates.

Note: Teeth whitening can be performed at home by using kits prepared by your dentist. This way the risk is minimized but you still get good results.

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