Whiten Teeth at Home or in the Dentist's Office? (2024)

FAQs

Whiten Teeth at Home or in the Dentist's Office? ›

Professional solutions used by your dentist are typically stronger than those in over-the-counter kits, so your teeth may whiten more quickly. They can also make sure that sensitive gums don't get more irritated. Whiteners work only on the tough outer surface of your teeth, enamel.

Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process

This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.

Professional whitening is done in a dental office. In-office whiteners are much stronger than the other two alternatives because they have more peroxide in the solution. They can change the color of your teeth faster than at-home methods.

Choosing a non-professional teeth whitening treatment can carry a higher risk of adverse effects, including damage to your teeth and gums, and even a worsening of your discoloration. By far, the safest and most effective option is to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.

While mass-produced, at-home kits might be a cheaper option, consider that professional teeth whitening is a safer and more effective investment. Professional teeth whitening at Sedation Dental Care creates more effective results in a shorter amount of time.

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

That said, at-home whitening products have lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, meaning they may not offer the same degree of shade changes that you get from professional whiteners. Products like brush-on whiteners, strips or trays can be purchased online, at pharmacies and grocery stores, etc.

The cost difference mainly exists due to the lesser efficacy of whitening from at-home products. These products tend to contain lower concentrations of bleaching agents and do not work as good or fast as in-office teeth whitening.

Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening

This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.

The results of dental chairside or in-office bleaching are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years. A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

If you want to know how to whiten yellow teeth, the most effective option is an in-office whitening treatment with your dentist. In-office whitening treatments have become very popular because you can see results in a single visit or a few visits. The effects last longer than any product you find on the shelves.

Are At Home Teeth Whitening Kits Effective? At home teeth whitening kits can show some results, but they have their limitations. Teeth whitening kits are effective only at eliminating some stains and help how to get rid of teeth stains.

The Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light stands out as the best overall teeth whitening product due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and comfort.

If you've never used a home whitening kit before, Dr. Cho recommends starting off with one that has a low hydrogen or carbamide peroxide solution, such as 5% or 10%. “This will give you an idea as to whether or not your teeth are sensitive to the bleach and if so, just how sensitive they become to it,” she says.

Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.

Only go to a registered dental professional for teeth whitening because whitening by people who aren't qualified, for example in beauty salons, is illegal. Home kits also carry risks. Talk to your dentist first, before using a home kit.

You can have it done at a dentist's office, or do it yourself at home. Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide.

Longer-Lasting, Brighter Smile

One of the most significant advantages of getting your teeth whitened at the dentist is the treatment oversight before and during treatment to guarantee good results that you cannot get with at-home methods.

Dentists can treat you with 6% hydrogen peroxide (the bleaching agent that whitens teeth) – this is nearly 6,000 times stronger than any over-the-counter tooth whitening product. Because of this, tooth whitening by a dentist will give you the very best results.