What is the Best Way to Whiten Teeth?

A brighter smile is just around the corner. 

Smiling can improve your mood, boost your immune system, and even make you appear more attractive to others. However, some people may try to hide their pearly whites because they are embarrassed by stained teeth. Whitening your teeth can make a significant improvement in the appearance of your smile and increase your confidence. There are a variety of teeth whitening methods to choose from to help you achieve your ideal smile.

In-Office Whitening Treatment

In-office whitening treatments deliver excellent results in a short amount of time. This treatment is performed solely by a dentist and requires no work from you. Your dentist will apply a whitening solution to the surface of your teeth and let it sit for 30-60 minutes.

When your teeth reach the ideal shade, your dental provider will then rinse off the solution. Some patients experience tooth sensitivity afterward, so your dentist may apply fluoride to the teeth after treatment to strengthen the enamel. It may take several treatments to reach a desired shade.

In-office whitening treatments can cost more than in-house whitening kits, but many patients prefer this method because of the amazing results and the little effort that has to be made by the patient.

Professional At-Home Whitening Kits

Another great option to brighten your smile is professional at-home whitening treatments. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to create custom-fit whitening trays and they’ll be ready to pick up in just a few days. When you pick up your trays, the office will also give you syringes of a whitening solution. A staff member will explain how to use your whitening kit for optimal results.

An added benefit of whitening trays is that they are reusable! If you decide you want to whiten your teeth in the future, you can use the same trays. All you have to do is get more syringes of whitening solution from your dentist.

Veneers

Dental Veneers can completely change the appearance of your smile. Veneers are tooth-colored shells of porcelain or composite that are put on the front surface of the teeth. They look completely natural, and your dentist can customize the shape and color of the veneers to your desires.

Veneers can hide tough stains, chipped teeth, and fill in unwanted gaps. They can even make misaligned teeth look straighter. Veneers can cost more than other whitening methods, but they can completely transform your smile for decades.

Veneers are a great option for individuals who have tried in-office teeth whitening and are unsatisfied with the results. Veneers can cover any stain and mask multiple imperfections.

Teeth Whitening Strips

Teeth-whitening strips have been growing in popularity over the last decade and are available at most drug stores. They are simple to use and only have to be left of the teeth for 5-30 minutes at a time. Over-the-counter whitening strips can be less expensive than other whitening treatments.

There are drawbacks to whitening strips. Tooth enamel can be damaged by overuse of the strips. White strip users are also likely to experience tooth and gum sensitivity. Additionally, whitening strips use less effective ingredients than kits from a dental office.

So Which Option is Best?

There are so many options for a reason! What works for your friend, may not be the best solution for you. Some factors to consider are how much you want to spend, how fast you are looking to see results, and how long you want the results to last.

We are here to help figure out what teeth whitening option is best for you. Call and schedule a consultation today!