Cultures across the world and throughout history have regarded white teeth as signs of health, wealth, and status, and people have used countless methods to brighten their smiles. However, tooth whitening techniques are not created equal, and many popular methods and products can lead to injury or disappointing results. Here’s a brief guide to why you should consult with your dentist when trying to determine the best way to whiten your teeth.
DIY Teeth Whitening Can Be Brutal and Frightening
If you surf social media, you may come across a host of purported at-home teeth whitening methods peddled by influencers who do not have dental degrees. A few commonly suggested techniques include using lemon juice or charcoal to lift stubborn dental stains. While these methods may reduce discoloration, they do so by destroying healthy enamel, which leaves your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity, injury, and infection.
Over-the-Counter Products Often Disappoint
There are many brands of teeth whitening products available on store shelves, and many of them can lead to lackluster results even after several months of use. In some cases, they may even cause user injuries due to the gums being exposed to harsh whitening agents. Sometimes, the “one-size-fits-all” dental trays included in store-bought kits can fail to cover the teeth completely and leave them unevenly whitened. It’s best to seek your dentist’s recommendation before trying any over-the-counter whitening product.
Professional Teeth Whitening Delivers Profound Results
Your dentist is trained and equipped to perform effective teeth whitening treatments that deliver remarkable results in brief periods of time. Your treatment may take the form of:
- Take-home teeth whitening: These customized kits include personalized dental trays and professional-grade whitening gel, and they can significantly whiten your smile in as few as two weeks.
- In-office teeth whitening: Your dentist can administer a procedure at their office that can considerably brighten your grin in about an hour.
In either case, your teeth will be up to eight shades brighter.
Don’t let stubborn stains and discoloration diminish your pride in your smile. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to beautify your grin.
About the Author
Dr. Huy Nguyen earned his dental degree at the University of Washington in Seattle and completed his Masters in Oral Health Sciences at Boston University. He takes great pride in helping patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles that they will be eager to show off. His office in Yarmouth offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening. To book your teeth whitening consultation, contact his office online or dial (207) 846-3966.