The Truth About Professional Teeth Whitening: Is It Worth Your Time and Money? | Narre Warren Dental Care (2024)

If you’re like many, you’re probably curious to know if teeth whitening is worth your time and money. After all, who doesn’t want a whiter and brighter smile?

The teeth whitening treatment has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many products and services are available to help you achieve the shade you desire. But before you shell out your hard-earned cash for this procedure, you must understand what is involved and whether or not it’s right for you.

Here’s a closer look at teeth whitening.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

This is a process that helps lighten your teeth’s colour. Most people’s teeth are not perfectly white. In fact, they may have a slightly yellow or grey tint. Naturally, they tend to discolour over time due to a number of different factors. These include:

• Drinking coffee, tea or red wine
  Smoking tobacco products
• Eating certain foods and drinks that can cause staining (such as curry)
• Taking certain medications that can lead to tooth discolouration
• Poor oral hygiene
• The ageing process

The main reason these kinds of food and drinks stain teeth is that they contain pigments attached to the tooth enamel. Teeth whitening treatments help break down these pigments, making your teeth appear brighter and whiter.

1. Professional Treatments

Professional treatment or in-office teeth whitening is performed by a dentist in a dental office, utilising a potent bleaching agent. This could be hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Unfortunately, not all people are good candidates for this procedure. For example, the strong bleaching agent used in professional treatments could cause pain and discomfort if you have sensitive teeth. Also, you may have to manage your gum disease before undergoing professional teeth whitening. It’s best to discuss it with your dentist beforehand to see if professional treatment is right for you.

2. At-Home Kits

At-home teeth whitening kits are available from your dentist. These kits typically contain a bleaching gel or strips you apply to your teeth according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Natural Remedies

Natural teeth whitening remedies often include baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice. These substances can help remove surface stains but are less effective than professional treatments.

Teeth whitening helps boost confidence, which is priceless. However, is it worth your money and time?

The answer depends on your goals and budget. Professional teeth whitening is probably your best bet if you’re looking for fast, dramatic results. If you’re working with a tight budget or are simply interested in trying out a teeth whitening method, then an at-home kit may be a better option.

Whichever method you choose, it’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects of teeth whitening before you begin. This way, you could weigh the pros and cons of the procedure and make an informed decision.

It’s More Effective

The main advantage of professional teeth whitening is that it’s more effective than at-home treatments. This is because the bleaching agent used in professional treatments is usually stronger than over-the-counter products. Remember, only licensed dental professionals can legally use the most concentrated form of bleaching agent in Australia, which is why in-office treatments are often more successful.

In-office teeth whitening can also be tailored to your specific needs. Your dentist will assess the colour of your teeth and determine if you have any underlying dental problems that could impact the results of the treatment.

It’s Faster

Professional teeth whitening is probably your best option if you’re looking for immediate results. The average in-office treatment takes about an hour to complete, and you usually see a significant difference in your teeth’s colour after just one session.

At-home kits can also produce good results, but it may take several weeks or even months of regular use before seeing a noticeable change.

It’s Safer

When performed by a licensed professional, teeth whitening is safe. Your dentist will take measures to protect your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth from the bleaching agent. Plus, they ensure you don’t have any underlying dental problems that could make the treatment riskier.

It’s More Expensive

The biggest disadvantage of professional teeth whitening is that it’s more expensive than at-home treatments. But the cost will eventually add up if you keep buying at-home teeth whitening kits to get your desired results.

It Requires Maintenance

To maintain your results, you need regular touch-ups, which can add to the cost of a professional whitening treatment. Generally, you can expect to have one or two touch-ups per year.

Touch-ups are typically less expensive than the initial treatment because you don’t need as much bleaching agent. But the frequency of touch-ups will depend on how well you take care of your teeth and how quickly they yellow again.

It Can Cause Sensitivity

One potential side effect of professional teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. This is more common with in-office treatments because the bleaching agent is more concentrated.

To help reduce the risk of sensitivity, your dentist will take measures to protect your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. They may also use a lower concentration of bleaching agents or limit the number of bleaching sessions.

The Results Are Not Permanent

The results of professional tooth whitening are not permanent. The colour of your teeth may start fading after about six months, and you may need touch-ups every few months or years to maintain the results.

Similarly, the whitening products you purchase over the counter or from your dentist at home don’t guarantee lifetime results. In short, you will eventually need to repeat the treatment.

Professional teeth whitening effects can last up to 3 years before they eventually start to fade. The rate at which your teeth yellow again will depend on your lifestyle habits. It’s also more common for people with naturally darker teeth to see the results of teeth whitening fade more quickly.

Some people start to notice that their teeth look yellow or dull after just a few months, even with the in-office method. If you want to maintain your results for as long as possible, you need to take good care of your teeth and avoid habits that can cause staining, such as smoking and drinking coffee or tea. You should also regulate your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

These types of food or beverages can cause the enamel on your teeth to break down, making them more susceptible to staining.

When it comes to at-home teeth whitening kits, the results are not as long-lasting as professional treatments. In general, you can expect the effects to last for several weeks before they start to fade.

The price of professional teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment you choose and your dentist. In-office treatments are typically more expensive than at-home kits but produce faster results.

The average cost of in-office teeth whitening is $650. The average cost of at-home teeth whitening kits is between $30 and $100, depending on your chosen brand. However, this may vary, so we highly recommend that you visit your dentist for a more accurate cost.

Certain food and drinks can cause your teeth to become stained or discoloured. To help maintain the results of your professional teeth whitening, it’s best to avoid these foods and drinks, such as:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Wine
• Soda
• Tomato sauce
• Curries
• Berries
• Beets
• Soy sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Dark chocolate

You don’t have to avoid these foods and drinks forever, but it’s best to limit them. This is especially important for the first few weeks after you have your teeth professionally whitened. This allows your teeth time to adjust to the bleaching agents and helps maintain your results for longer.

Teeth whitening procedure is a safe and effective way to help you achieve brighter, whiter teeth if done by a dental professional. The results may not be permanent, but they can last up to 3 years with proper care. This means limiting your consumption of certain types of food and drinks, visiting your dentist for touch-ups and maintaining a regular dental routine at home.

This dental treatment may be worth your time and money if your goal is to help boost your confidence and improve your smile. Remember: confidence is among the most fabulous accessories you can wear.

Here at Narre Warren Dental Care, we always want what’s best for our patients. That’s why we’re excited to offer safe teeth whitening treatment. We understand how this procedure can help boost confidence and improve your smile, which is why we’re passionate about helping you get the best results possible. If you’re interested in learning more about teeth whitening and other dental services, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 03 8771 4137.

We look forward to hearing from you!