Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Teeth Whiteners: Which Gives The Most Bang for Your Buck?

Though over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions are quick and inexpensive, they are not the best solution for your overall oral health.

Teeth whitening has a lot of appeal these days. So many products beckon from the supermarket shelves in the form of strips, pens, trays, toothpaste and mouthwash. But which method will be the best investment for your smile: over-the-counter tooth whiteners or a professional whitening treatment?

Why Do Our Teeth Discolor?

Over time, aging and genetic cause our teeth to yellow naturally. Outside influences are also a factor like antibiotics and certain foods and drinks that stain teeth. Internally, there can be changes in tooth enamel and dentin (the main layer beneath the enamel), as a result of trauma, tooth decay or exposure to too much fluoride. For those longing to return to a more youthful, healthy appearance, teeth whitening can be a great option.

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly of Over-The-Counter Whiteners

• How effective is the product? While over-the-counter dental whiteners have improved over the years, some are good, but many are not very effective. Some promise immediate results, but can’t deliver because they are chemically lacking and require weeks before results are really noticeable. Once you’ve spent the money and opened the packaging, the investment may or may not pay off.
• Gambling with unknown ingredients. Over-the counter whitening can be harmful, because you are really on your own in terms of product safety and proper usage. It is something that can be easily misused or overused in anticipation of getting quicker results. Products that assure instant gratification may contain high concentration of a bleaching agent, which can irritate the gums. Trays or strips that don’t fit well over crooked or rotated teeth will not whiten evenly. The whitening agents and their strengths are not known, so results can be questionable.
• Time consumption. Some over-the-counter whitening products are not effective without a substantial investment of time. Home whitening may make sense for coffee or tobacco stains, but no amount of home whitening product will erase poor oral hygiene issues. If your teeth are riddled with cavities and decay, the ingredients in home whitening products can produce additional pain and oral health problems.

Benefits of Professional Whitening

• Protection. Professional whitening produces better results because it is done in a more controlled environment. Although stronger chemicals are used, the professionals at your dentist’s office know how to protect your gums from these materials and buffers tooth enamel from damage.
• What works best for you? Professional teeth whitening in Little Rock should cater to your needs, and the experts at Arkansas Family Dental will do an evaluation to see which of our systems will work best for you. We offer Zoom whitening treatments, which are safe procedures using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide bleaching agents. Results can be achieved in less than one hour with teeth whitened up to eight shades in one sitting.
• Long-lasting, safe whitening. Professional whitening can last up to two years, if you take proper care of your teeth. In-office whitening procedures are calculated so that teeth sensitivity is addressed and the degree of whiteness you want is achieved. Also, after a Zoom whitening procedure, we give our patients a take-home treatment to extend results.

One of the best ways to boost self-confidence is with whiter, healthy looking teeth. For a whitening consultation, contact Arkansas Family Dental about our professional teeth whitening services in Little Rock or schedule an appointment, and find out how quickly your teeth can look better and brighter.