San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments can be found in the oral care aisle of just about every store. Are they worth it? Will I get the results I really want? Is it worth the money? The answer is, well, no. These boxes of whitening treatments may seem like an affordable option, but many buyers are unaware of the risks involved by using these methods.
A dentist should be the only professional to whiten your teeth, and here’s why.
Dental professionals only, please
Beauty therapists do not possess the necessary qualifications to perform teeth whitening services safely. Hydrogen peroxide is the main whitening agent found in teeth whitening products, but it can be dangerous if not used properly. Therefore, those messy whitening strips that can be purchased at the store are not a safe method of whitening your teeth. As the gel leaks from these whitening strips, it is likely to get on your gums or worse; you may end up swallowing it.
Customize for safety
Many professional teeth whitening treatments are done in as little as one visit to the dentist. While receiving your whitening treatment at the dentist, the precise amount of gel is applied to your teeth, and the length of time it is left to do it’s magic is customized to your needs. Safety precautions are strictly followed while undergoing teeth whitening treatments at the dentist, which is certainly not the case with an over-the-counter box treatment.
Customized teeth whitening treatments at the dentist are also better because they help reduce tooth sensitivity that is often associated with box whitening treatments from the store. So, if your teeth are already sensitive, you probably will want to skip the store version and opt for the professional whitening instead.
The dentist often will provide custom trays and professional grade whitening gel for patients to take home and use for touch-ups. Custom made trays from the dentist are the safest method of whitening your teeth since the trays can be trimmed right at the gum line to eliminate irritation to the gums once the whitening gel is applied, and lessen the chance that you will swallow the gel.
More bang for your buck
Professional teeth whitening will provide superior results as opposed to what you will get from a box of whitening strips from the store. Not only are results better, but they last longer too! By reducing the frequency of your teeth whitening treatments, you save money overall. Plus, you get what you pay for! Those box treatments from the store are only full of empty promises, so you are essentially wasting your money on a product that does not provide the results you desire. So, save yourself time and money by going to the dentist for your teeth whitening needs.
To keep your teeth healthy and white, be sure to brush twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and see the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. To learn more about teeth whitening, contact the office of Glen Park Dental today by calling (415) 585-1500.
Glen Park Dental provides comprehensive, compassionate, quality oral health care for patients in the areas of San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, California.
