Professional Teeth Whitening Versus Over the Counter Whitening

Over the counter whitening treatments such as Crest White Strips have become extremely popular over the last seven to 10 years. But are they safe and effective? Crest White Strips only cover the front six teeth, leaving a discoloration from any posterior teeth behind the canines. If you have any crowding, the bleach is not able to get into the tighter crevices which can leave stain in between the teeth. Because the strips are not custom fitted to your teeth, they tend to slide around due to saliva production, which then causes ingestion of the bleaching material. Bleach material that has gotten on the soft tissue inside the mouth has been known to cause Dysplasia (precancerous cells). These strips are also known to cause severe sensitivity to your teeth due to the weakening of the enamel.
Professional whitening is a safe and quick alternative to over-the-counter whitening agents. There are a couple methods of professional whitening. These include in-office treatment, which takes about an hour, or custom bleach trays to be made so the patient can bleach in the comfort of their own home. The benefit of having your teeth bleached in the dental office is that it’s quick, strong and done by a professional who can safely apply the bleaching agent avoiding any soft tissue. If you choose to have bleaching trays made to bleach at home, it can take up to two weeks to achieve the desired shade. After achieving your desired shade, you then only need to touch up for one to three days about every six months. Professional whitening gels now include potassium nitrate and fluoride. Potassium nitrate has been shown to help reduce sensitivity. Fluoride has been shown to help reduce cavities and strengthen enamel.
If you are interested in brightening your smile, we would love to help determine the best option for you! For more information, please call Kimberly A. Rosen, D.D.S. at 661-255-2545.