25th October 2023
Professional Teeth Whitening vs At-Home Teeth Whitening
As reported by Dentistry magazine, tooth whitening is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry in the UK, with 42% of Brits already having their teeth whitened and 48% planning to get teeth whitening done in the next several months.
Dental teeth whitening is one of the simplest ways to improve the way your smile looks – so it’s no wonder that so many people are turning to this procedure to achieve aesthetically pleasing pearly whites and boost their self-esteem.
If you have a special event on the horizon or just want to smile more confidently every day, you might be considering professional teeth whitening yourself.
But do you know the difference between whitening teeth at the dentist and at-home teeth whitening, and which one would be best to treat your discolouration?
Read on to learn about how you can whiten discoloured teeth safely and successfully.
What causes discoloured teeth?
Natural tooth enamel can come in various shades of white, but teeth can easily become stained or discoloured over time, depending on lifestyle habits.
Some common causes of tooth discolouration include:
- Food and drink – consuming highly pigmented coffee, tea, and red wine can stain tooth enamel.
- Tobacco – tar and nicotine cause dark brown and yellow stains that are tough to remove.
- Age – as tooth enamel gets thinner with age, the dentin layer underneath becomes more visible.
- Trauma – mouth injuries can cause teeth to turn brown or black due to inadequate blood flow.
- Medication – some medications can have a side effect of causing teeth to darken in colour.
Mild staining is easier to lighten, but severe discolouration that has built up over time can be more difficult to budge without thorough professional treatment.
How can teeth be whitened?
Teeth whitening products use one of two bleaching agents – hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide – to break down stains and leave your teeth looking brighter and whiter.
However, over-the-counter products typically do not contain enough of these chemicals to make a significant difference to the colour of most stained teeth. Products that provide the right concentrations are highly regulated and created for professional use only.
This is why it’s best to go to a dentist for professional teeth whitening – even if you would rather whiten your teeth by yourself at home, they can provide a safe and high-quality kit to help you do so.
They can also inspect your teeth first to make sure that they are suitable for teeth whitening, as it may not be safe or effective for all teeth. For example, bleaching agents cannot be applied to damaged teeth, fillings, crowns, or false teeth.
At-home teeth whitening vs professional teeth whitening
Technically, teeth whitening at the dentist and at-home teeth whitening are both methods of professional teeth whitening, but only if you go to a dental clinic and have a professional kit prescribed to whiten your teeth at home.
Many people have busy lives and can’t squeeze in a longer visit to the dentist for a teeth whitening session during working hours, so they would rather take a custom teeth whitening kit home with them to use in their spare time.
These kits contain flexible trays, which have been custom-moulded to your teeth, and specially-formulated whitening gel that’s designed to gradually lift the colour of your teeth to the shade of white you’ve chosen over several weeks.
For those who want whiter teeth fast, spending an hour in the dentist’s chair is worth it to leave with a sparkling white smile that same day. The bleaching agent used in-practice can lighten teeth faster because it is stronger, activated by a UV light.
Professional teeth whitening at the dentist will achieve more drastic results in a shorter time span, but comes with a higher fee for this. Meanwhile, professional at-home teeth whitening takes longer but costs less, while offering greater flexibility.
Dental teeth whitening Warrington
Interested in teeth whitening in Warrington? Not sure which types of teeth whitening are right for you? The team here at Dental Solutions would be happy to help.
We offer a variety of at-home treatments, including Boutique and Enlighten whitening, so a consultation with one of our dentists can help you to choose the most effective option for you, depending on the condition of your teeth and gums.
To book your consultation for teeth whitening in Warrington, or for answers to any questions you have about our procedures and fees, please call our office on 01925 756 565 or email us at [email protected].
