Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted

Do you ever find yourself frustrated with a less-than-perfect smile? Off-white teeth are frequently a source of embarrassment and frustration, but they don’t have to be.

Teeth whitening can help you get the gleaming, clean, white smile you’ve always wanted.

But where, exactly, do you start when it comes to whitening?

There are a lot of products and services out there to choose from, some more effective than others. Generally, though, the biggest decision you’ll have to make is choosing between an at-home or take-home whitening kit and professional, in-office whitening.

We’re taking a closer look at what options are available, and what you need to know about teeth whitening services and products.

Let’s get started!

Do You Need Teeth Whitening?

While teeth whitening can get you great results, it isn’t for everyone.

There are multiple factors that you need to be aware of when it comes to whitening, as some methods may not work for you or the level of staining on your teeth.

In fact, this is one of the biggest determinants in the whitening method you choose: how stained your teeth are.

Stains on teeth are either intrinsic or extrinsic:

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains are stains on the external enamel of a tooth. Generally, these are caused by consuming certain types of food, which, over time, can cause a stain.

Common culprits include:

  • Cola or dark soda
  • Wine
  • Coffee
  • Other food and drinks
  • Tobacco

Intrinsic stains happen when the inner part of the tooth, the dentin, shows discoloration.

This can be caused by:

  • A rare condition developed at birth
  • Tetracycline antibiotics used when you were 8 years old or younger
  • You were exposed to too much fluoride in your childhood
  • Internal bleeding discoloured the tooth from issues with a permanent tooth

Extrinsic stains are far more common and are the most typical cause for teeth whitening. These stains are also commonly more treatable, but as with anything, there are exceptions.

When you come into Highbury Park Dental, we’ll assess the level and type of staining you have to help you determine the best treatment option.

Teeth Whitening Options

As we’ve mentioned, the two most common approaches for teeth whitening are at-home kits and in-office services. What you ultimately choose depends on the types of stains you’re dealing with and what your dentist recommends.

Let’s take a closer look at your dental whitening options:

In-Office Whitening

Professional whitening in a dentist’s office can get you impressive results, although the downside is that you’re spending more time sitting in a treatment chair (although here at Highbury Park, we do have some pretty comfy chairs and access to Netflix in each treatment room).

The good news is that you just get to sit back and let the professionals handle your whitening. You relax while they take care of the rest.

Plus, in-office whitening services are a much more controlled environment, and the treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all, over-the-counter product or kit. This means that treatment is tailored to your needs.

Perhaps the only real downside is that in-office whitening is more expensive than a take-home kit. Still, with many dentists offering flexible payment and financing options, even that shouldn’t stop you from getting the treatments you need.

Take-Home Whitening Kits

While many take-home kits are just as effective as their in-office counterparts, it’s still a much more mixed bag. Some products take a long-term approach to getting you results that are comparable to in-office treatment, but again, it’s going to take more time.

Some whitening kits also simply try to bleach your teeth, which, while it may remove stains, may also damage your tooth enamel.

The biggest argument against take-home kits is user error. Even with detailed instructions, there’s always room for error. Beyond that, users that don’t immediately get the results they want might be tempted to double-up on using their kit, only to cause problems later on.

Thankfully, many dentists offer take-home kits and can offer informed recommendations on what will work and what won’t.

What’s the Best Option?

If you’re deciding between an at-home kit and professional services, it all depends on your situation. If you have severely discoloured teeth and you don’t mind spending the extra bucks for treatment, then professional teeth whitening could be your best bet.

If you have minimal tooth discoloration and you’re on a budget, then an at-home teeth whitening kit might be the answer.

As with any decision related to your oral health, be sure to consult with your dentist before you proceed one way or another. They’ll be able to help you make an informed decision that’ll get you the results you’re after.

The Best of Both Worlds

It may sound surprising, but many dentists recommend using a mix of both professional and at-home treatments for teeth whitening.

While professional solutions may be more aggressive and produce faster results, at-home treatments have become very beneficial and more convenient than scheduling an appointment with the dentist. At-home treatments are also more flexible in terms of what types of products you can use.

Whether it’s a tray you wear at night or a pen that you run across your teeth, there are a wide variety of at-home treatments that you can use alongside professional solutions to support your results.

Get the Smile of Your Dreams

Whether you decide to do teeth whitening at home or at a dental office, you’ll be shocked at just how effective and easy the treatment can be. These safe and non-invasive treatments have been used by millions all over the world, and the technology gets better every day. Contact your dentist today for more information!