What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

There are many teeth whitening or teeth bleaching products that can be purchased in the store to help whiten your teeth, but professional teeth whitening products can only be obtained from your dentist office. Professional teeth whitening products are available for both in-office use and in-home use.

Over-The-Counter Whitening or Professional Whitening?

Teeth whitening products that are found over-the-counter are available to low concentrations or low strength because they do not require any supervision with their use. Due to the low concentrations, these products require a longer usage time, and the whitening results are usually not dramatic. Over-the-counter products that come with whitening trays will not offer a comfortable or effective fit for everyone.

Professional teeth whitening products are available in much higher concentrations which mean that the whitening results are more noticeable. Some patients experience up to two or three shades in whiteness in just one visit or one application of certain professional whitening procedures. Depending on the whitening procedure you choose from the dental office, a custom-made whitening tray will be used to offer a precise fit for best results.

In-office whitening may be done in just one visit or may require more than one visit to achieve the desired shade. Some professional whitening products can also be used at home with instructions for your dentist. The take home whitening products are in a higher concentration than over-the-counter take home whitening systems.

Teeth Whitening Considerations

Some patients may experience slight to severe sensitivity when using whitening products. If you have a history of tooth sensitivity or have experienced sensitivity with other tooth whitening products in the past, let your dentist know. Often, there may be areas of gum recession or active dental decay that need to be addressed first before teeth whitening can take place.

Using a sensitivity toothpaste before beginning teeth whitening, during whitening and after whitening will help to alleviate tooth sensitivity. Keep in mind that it usually takes a few weeks to a month of regular use of a sensitivity toothpaste to get the full benefit.

If you have a reunion coming up, an important event or you are getting married, teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry can help you to feel confident when you smile, and sometimes in just one visit!