Who doesn’t desire a whiter, brighter smile? There are more products available today than ever before that claim to enhance your smile by removing stains and leaving teeth whiter. Unfortunately, not all of these products can deliver your desired results.

When it comes to effectively whitening your teeth, which treatments are actually worth your time and money? In this blog we look at the differences between at-home vs. professional teeth whitening. To schedule a professional whitening treatment, call Carmichael Dental Care at 334-600-1423.

The Problem with At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments

Over the counter whitening products often promise dramatic results. They come in many forms including toothpastes, strips, and gels.

Whitening Toothpastes

There are many brands of toothpaste that promise to whiten your teeth, but how well do they actually work? Do they even work at all?

It turns out, some ADA-approved brands of toothpaste can be effective for removing surface stains. But they won’t be able to whiten your teeth by more than a couple of shades. They also use abrasives or polishing agents, which can be a problem for people with sensitive teeth.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are popular among people looking for an over-the-counter teeth whitening solution. They use hydrogen peroxide just like a professional bleaching system, but in a much lower dose. Each kit can cost you around $30 for a one-week kit and it takes at least a week to see results.

Whitening Gels

Whitening gels also use hydrogen peroxide in a lower dose than professional systems. Over-the-counter whitening gels are brushed directly onto the teeth. You can expect the results to take a few days and last for a few months.

Professional Teeth Whitening

If you are hoping for dramatic results that can only be achieved by whitening your teeth more than a few shades, professional, dentist-assisted teeth whitening is the way to go. At Carmichael Dental Care, we use high-strength bleaching agents to safely and effectively whiten your teeth. Our professional teeth whitening system goes beyond just removing surface stains to whiten your teeth even below the enamel.

When you come in for a teeth whitening treatment, we will first thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure optimal results. We will gently place a device in your mouth that exposes the teeth, then we will apply a special liquid to your gums that will protect them from irritation. We will then apply the bleaching gel, generally over the course of several sessions lasting 15-30 minutes each.

Not only can our treatment produce better results than an at-home teeth whitening kit, but we can use higher doses of hydrogen peroxide so you can see results immediately. If you have sensitive teeth, we can use desensitizing products to make sure the entire process is free of any discomfort.

If you’d prefer to whiten at home we can provide you with professional-strength gel and custom-made whitening trays that make it easy to get professional results at home.

While professional teeth whitening treatments cost more than at-home kits, we strongly believe they are worth every penny. When it comes to teeth whitening, you truly get what you pay for.

If you are ready to say goodbye to stained, yellow, or discolored teeth and hello to a bright, white, radiant smile, call Carmichael Dental at 334-600-1423 today.