At-Home Teeth Whitening—Should You Try It?

Is your goal to have a bright, white smile with a small price tag? If so, you have likely already considered using an at-home teeth whitening kit. While this is a very common option that many people utilize, it is important to think both about their safety as well as how well they work. Here is some information about at-home teeth whiteners that you may want to think about:

The Safety of Teeth Whitening Kits

When used according to the directions, teeth whitening kits are not typically dangerous or linked to health issues. However, they can cause issues if they are not used properly or if they are left on the teeth for longer than the recommended time limit. The frequency of use of home whitening kits can also cause problems for your oral health. They can lead to the loss of tooth enamel if you use them more often than is recommended by both the manufacturer of the product and your dentist.

It is also recommended that children and teenagers should use these products very sparingly or not at all. At this age, the adult teeth are considered very young, and the tooth enamel does not have the resiliency that it will receive with age.

The Effectiveness of Teeth Whitening Kits

At-home teeth whitening kits can have some positive results when it comes to the color of the teeth. However, do not be disappointed if you do not see immediate results once you have concluded your treatment. At-home teeth whiting kits do not contain the extra-strong bleaching chemicals that are used at the dental office. You should expect to use an at-home whitening option more than once to get your desired result.

When you are doing your treatment at home, be sure to pay attention to your surroundings when you are looking at the results. Once you are finished with your treatment, be sure to check your results in a room that is well lit. When you have a professional teeth whitening treatment at a cosmetic dental office, you will be under very bright lighting so that the dentist can see how well the procedure worked. If you look at your teeth in a room that does not have adequate lighting, you could end up overusing the product and damaging your teeth.

At-home teeth whitening kits can provide really nice results, but it is important that they are used properly. If you are unsure about whether or not to move forward with this treatment, be sure to discuss it with your dentist. He or she can help you decide on the right type of treatment for your teeth so that you have the best results. Contact a cosmetic dentist to find more information.