Treat-at-home teeth whitening is not as effective as the whitening you can do in the office. It also takes a long time. There’s a lower concentration of acid applied to your teeth for a longer period of time, often overnight or for hours, before you see results. Low-grade acid applied over time is not as effective as a high concentration applied by a professional in the office. As a result, the outcomes are different, and the safety is different as well.
How does professional teeth whitening differ from at-home teeth whitening?
First of all, professionals will block out your soft tissue, protect the gums, and retract your lips and cheeks, which does not happen with at-home whitening. Because of that, the whitening gel used at home can seep through and burn the gums. With professional whitening, everything is isolated, so only the visible front surfaces of the teeth are whitened. You’re not whitening the inside surfaces that no one sees. When whitening at home, the gel can reach the outside and inside of the teeth, including areas near your tongue and palate, which only increases sensitivity without improving appearance. The side effects of take-home whitening are generally worse than having it done by a professional. Also, professional whitening delivers much faster results.
What is the best at-home teeth whitening solution?
It’s the one you’re actually going to use. If you’re not going to use it, it won’t work. Most whitening products are very similar, and many are almost exactly the same. The brand usually doesn’t matter much. It’s like soap: different brands may smell different, but their job is the same. Whitening products are simply tools to help you get whiter teeth, so most of them are about the same.
How effective are natural or home remedies like baking soda or hydrogen peroxide for whitening teeth?
Many whitening solutions contain hydrogen peroxide, so it is definitely effective. The issue is concentration. What you have at home usually is not concentrated enough to make a noticeable difference in tooth color. The same goes for baking soda. Yes, it may whiten a tiny bit, but it’s not going to change your teeth by multiple shades. It won’t give you the kind of results you would expect from a whitening gel.
How often can I safely whiten my teeth at home?
That depends on the product you’re using. The product instructions will usually tell you whether you can use it every night or at another interval. If you use it every night and you’re getting results without too much sensitivity, that’s fine. But if you haven’t gotten the results yet and your teeth become too sensitive, then skip some time and use it every other night or every two nights instead. Don’t use it every night if it causes too much sensitivity. All whitening products can make your teeth sensitive if used long enough, so it really comes down to your tolerance.
As for how often you should repeat a whitening cycle, you should wait at least 6 months before starting again. Don’t do it every month or every other month. That’s just too often.
Is it possible to whiten your teeth at home in 2 minutes?
Only in a very limited sense. For example, you might brush with baking soda and remove some surface buildup, so whatever can whiten slightly may whiten slightly. But you are not going to get dramatic results in 2 minutes. You won’t make your teeth completely white using charcoal or other home remedies in that amount of time.
What are the benefits of using home whitening kits versus home remedies?
A teeth whitening kit can actually work. Home remedies generally do not give you the same kind of results that you get with a whitening kit.
Are the results of a home whitening kit permanent?
No, they are not permanent. Everything is temporary. Teeth will darken again over time, and you may want to whiten them again later because they will not stay as white forever.
What should I avoid while using a teeth whitening solution at home?
You should avoid foods and drinks with strong color. Teeth are porous materials. Under a microscope, they look a bit like a bundle of tiny straws or tunnels. Food particles and pigments can get stuck in those spaces and make teeth look darker. Whitening helps remove those stains, but it also makes teeth more sensitive. While whitening, you should avoid things like red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, turmeric, and anything else that can stain your teeth and make them look more yellow right away.
How can I maintain white teeth after using a tooth whitening solution?
You should brush and floss regularly and see your dentist or hygienist regularly. That will help maintain the color for a longer time.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (929) 238-9944 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.