When your teeth become stained, you may want to have them whitened. Your options include having the procedure done in our office or using at-home whitening kits. You have quite a few options and there are pros and cons for both.
Before you have your teeth professionally whitened, your dentist will clean them thoroughly. The solution that’s used in the office to whiten teeth has a stronger peroxide content than those that are used at home. This is one of the reasons why your teeth will be brighter and whiter much faster when you have them professionally done.
The solution used in the office can be up to 43% in content, while the at home kits are typically never more than 20%. Regardless of this lower number, do not leave the solution on for longer than the recommended time if you use the at-home kits. Leaving it on your teeth for too long could cause them to become dehydrated and can make them hypersensitive for a period of time.
A professional whitening will cost much more than using at-home kits, but the results will be much more dramatic. Your appointment will also take just a couple of hours, versus a few weeks with at-home kits. Whitening is usually not covered by dental insurance. But you can still confirm whether or not the cleaning or any other part of the visit is covered.
Once your teeth are brilliant white, remember that coffee, tea, and smoking will stain them again. If you need any additional information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call!
