Teeth Whitening Explained: Best Methods, Costs, and Results for a Brighter Smile
Have you been looking for a way to brighten your smile? There are many options of whitening to choose including many different whitening methods.
If you've never had whitening before, don't worry. We are here to share all you should know about these kits, from their methodology, pros/cons and brands to look out for.
So without further ado, lets dive into it.
Types of Whitening
Overall there are many, many products for teeth whitening but all can be classified into two main categories: over-the-counter or professional.
Over-the-counter whitening includes
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Whitening Toothpastes: like Crest 3D White, Colgate Optic White, etc.
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These contain abrasive and detergents to remove surface stains, will not work as well or at all on heavy staining.
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Whitening Mouthwash: Listerine Healthy White, Crest 3D White Brilliance, etc.
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Contains a mix of hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide to remove surface stains. Some also have fluoride to strengthen enamel or Cetylpridinium chloride to kill bacteria
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Whitening Strips: Crest 3D White Strips, etc.
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Same ingredients found in mouthwash and toothpaste but in higher concentrations. It also has polymers of glycerin to form the gel to help stick to the teeth.
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Whitening Gels/Whitening Pens: Many brands like iSmile, MySmile etc.
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Same ingredient as above but with a stabilizer to make the gel and make it last longer. The gels are usually worn with a whitening tray in your mouth which is made in office. The whitening pens are for localized whitening or touch-ups
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Professional methods includes
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In-office Light Whitening: Zoom Whitening Light and other whitening lights
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In office stronger bleaching agent is applied with light to accelerate the process. It is much more effective than over-the-counter method but is more expensive. This could also take one to two sessions to achieve the best results.
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Laser Whitening: assorted dental laser brands
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Another in-office treatment that uses laser to activate the bleaching agent which achieves a faster result compared to regular light activated whitening.
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Pros of Over-The-Counter Whitening
Cost Effective: Most of the whitening products work and are affordable. You can find them for less than 30 dollars which does help the bottom line. The whitening gel with tray does work a bit faster and overall is likely a better use of your money for faster and brighter results compared to the toothpaste and mouthwash.
Easily accessible: You can find these product at most retail stores, whether it be Walmart, Superstore and many others. Ease of access than compared to office whitening.
Simple Touch-ups: Easy to buy and whiten again if you feel that your brilliant smile has faded a bit. Just buy it and use it. Refills are also decently cheap if you are using the whitening trays.
Cons of Over-The-Counter Whitening
Limited Effectiveness: The whitening products while affordable might not be the most effective. Sometimes it can deal with surface stains and small blemishes. For the best results cleanings to remove stains and calculus in combination with whitening will yield the best results. The most effective of these is the whitening gel with tray which is more effective than the whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. Please read the instructions and product packaging to achieve the best results and avoid risks. Think of over-the-counter whitening as the first step towards your dream smile.
Can cause discomfort: If you have existing sensitivities it is best to avoid whitening products. These products are not friendly and could intensify sensitivity issues. However, the products are constantly evolving, there could be whitening products especially designed for more sensitive teeth in the future.
Can cause gum irritation: whitening solutions can cause irritation or chemical burns to the gum tissue which come into direct contact with the gel.
Weakens Enamel: Strong peroxide based products can weaken enamel leading to increased sensitivity and possible enamel thinning. Overuse or improper use of whitening products may increase risk of these issues.
Teeth Whitening Kits to Avoid
Try to avoid high hydrogen peroxide concentration whitening products when shopping for the healthiest cleaning. Having anything exceeding 10% might be risky to use without consulting your dentist. Products under 10% hydrogen peroxide are on the safer side, the only ones of exception is the dental prescribed whitening kits which can vary.
Pros of Professional Whitening
Safe and Comfortable: The process of professional whitening is supervised by our team to ensure that you are comfortable and taken care of. The light can also be adjusted to ensure that you do not feel discomfort. The application of the gel and time of treatment is also carefully monitored by our team. The whitening trays are also personalized and molded to fit perfectly. This ensures a better whitening result.
Maximum Brightness: The Zoom Whitening Light or anything adjacent will bring out the true shine in your teeth. It is highly effective and brightens it up to 6-8 shades whiter. This is much more effective compared to over-the-counter treatments as it brings you closer to your dream smile. It will help you crush job interviews or bring out the vibrancy for the perfect wedding photo!
Faster Whitening Results: The Philip Zoom light can achieve amazing results in about 1-2 hours. The Philips Zoom QuickPro can increase your tooth brightness by 8 shades in 45 mins. This saves time and alleviates the burden of constant whitening tray use. It is an in and out appointment so you can get back to doing what you love quicker while getting the best whitening results.
Cons of Professional Whitening
May Increase Sensitivity: Professional dental whitening gels are sometimes higher in hydrogen peroxide concentration to have a greater bleaching effect. This also comes with the downside of possibly increasing sensitivity for patients that already have sensitivity problems. If you are a new patient please let our dentists know about any conditions during the first visit.
Not Easily Accessible: Since the procedure is done at the office, this makes it less convenient than over-the-counter whitening.
Higher Cost: Treatment for a 2-hour session of Zoom Whitening coming out to about $599. This is much higher mainly due to the efficiency of the whitening and the special light activated whitening gel.
Have questions? We're here to help.
Finding the best whitening treatment is hard as there is a whirlpool of information to scrub through. If you feel overwhelmed you can also contact our team at London Sherwood Dental Care and our team will be able to help find the type of whitening that works for you.
Our office is open Monday-Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, you can reach out to us via our phone at 519-601-1588 or email info@londonsherwooddentalcare.ca.