Teeth Whitening Services Vs DIY
Do you cover your mouth when you laugh or worry about the color of your teeth when you talk or eat? If so, then there are many people who feel the same as you. 70% of people are self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth, and 61% want to make a positive change to how their teeth look.
The most common change that people want to see is an improvement to the whiteness of their teeth.
If you’ve always wished that your teeth could be whiter, brighter and more radiant, then teeth whitening could be the ideal treatment for you. However, before you whiten your teeth, you have an important decision to make: should you visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening services or should you buy a DIY kit and whiten your teeth at home?
There are many differences between teeth whitening services performed at a dental clinic and DIY options; we’re going to explore some of the biggest…
Teeth Whitening Methods
Between DIY teeth whitening kits and professional teeth whitening services, you’ll discover many products and techniques for whitening.
If you head to the store for a DIY option, you’ll have the choice of whitening toothpaste, whitening trays and whitening strips. A specialist whitening toothpaste can take the place of your normal toothpaste for slight improvements to whiteness, while strips and trays must be applied/inserted multiple times until the desired results are achieved.
Visit your dentist in Palos Park for teeth whitening, to discover much more intensive treatment options. Many dentists provide two options for professional teeth whitening: supervised at-home kits and in-office treatment.
The in-office treatment typically involves the use of a specialist whitening agent and a halogen light, which speeds up the procedure. The at-home treatment is similar to DIY kits in the sense that they’re used at home, but very different in terms of customization. You’ll receive custom trays that perfectly fit your teeth, professional bleaching gel and clear instructions on how to use the products for the best results.
Teeth Whitening Duration
There’s no exact timeframe for DIY or professional teeth whitening, as how much treatment you’ll require will depend on your desired results. DIY kits can be faster, as you won’t need to pay a visit to your dentist, but at the same time, it may take much longer to achieve good results.
You should expect to pay at least one visit to the dentist for professional treatment and have to set some time aside at home to maintain the results or to use the home whitening kit.
Teeth Whitening Safety
One of the biggest cons of DIY treatment is that it’s completely down to you to follow the instructions. When used incorrectly, DIY teeth whitening can damage your gums, causing them to recede and become more sensitive.
With professional teeth whitening, you’re in a safe environment with constant monitoring. Even with the take-home kits, you have extra assurance of the safety of the product and professional instructions for its correct use.
Teeth Whitening Results
DIY kits and professional teeth whitening services will both lead to whiter teeth, but not to the same degree. You can generally expect most off-the-shelf products to make your teeth between 2x and 8x whiter. With professional treatment, you can look forward to 6x to 8x whiter teeth.
Unlike DIY treatment, the patient receives a fully customized treatment when they visit a professional. The trays used during the treatment will be custom-made to fit the unique shape of the patient’s teeth and there’s a greater level of control over the results. With custom treatment, it’s easier to achieve even results that look great and last for a long time.
Teeth Whitening Cost
A big difference between professional and DIY treatment is cost. The amazing results that professional teeth whitening can deliver come at a higher cost than DIY treatments. However, as professional treatments typically have longer lasting results, the difference in cost isn’t as great as it might look at a quick glance!
Professional Teeth Whitening Services Vs DIY: Which Is Best?
If you want fast results without spending much, then DIY teeth whitening treatment could be the best option for you. However, if you want better results with a safer procedure that’ll give you a radiant smile in just a few hours, or over the course of a few treatments, then you’re better off going down the professional route.
DIY kits simply can’t compete with the expertise, experience and professional products that your dentist in Palos Park can provide!
Whichever teeth whitening treatment you decide to have, it’s important to remember that for the best results, you should visit your dentist in Palos Park beforehand for a dental cleaning. A dental cleaning will ensure that plaque is removed so the results from whitening aren’t blotchy.
For more information about dental cleaning and teeth whitening treatment in Palos Park IL, get in touch with Sheehan Dental – your local experts in smile transformations!