Types of Teeth Whitening Options

Types of Teeth Whitening Options

Many people try to hide their smiles for fear of showing their discoloured or stained teeth. It is a real shame that anyone would smile less or refrain from smiling altogether just because they are not entirely comfortable with the colour of their teeth. If that sounds like something you are concerned about you will be glad to know there are many teeth whitening options that can help to improve the brightness of your smile.

Just as every patient is unique, there’s a teeth whitening solution to suit different needs, wants and budgets. In this article, we will explore the choices that you have:

Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products

Found in most beauty retail outlets and pharmaceuticals, OTC whitening products offer an affordable option to brighten your teeth. Compared to a dentist-administered whitening treatment, these products offer the convenience of allowing you to self-administer in the comfort of your own home. However, as they contain a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide they will not provide as immediate or dramatic result as you might expect from a whitening treatment done at a dental practice. They are also not as safe or comfortable as they are not performed by or under the supervision of a qualified dentist. If you are considering an OTC whitening product, you should consult a dentist to see if the strength of these products will be effective in achieving your desired tooth colour. OTC whitening products cover a wide range of products including chewing gums, toothpastes, gels, strips and pens.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

If you want more immediate and noticeable whitening results, then in-chair laser whitening treatment, such as Zoom Whitening, is your best bet. Laser treatments are generally more effective compared to OTC products due to two reasons: Higher concentration of bleaching ingredient that only dentists are authorised to administer due to safety considerations, as well as the use of a light source that catalyses the whitening process. Depending on the condition of your teeth and extent of discolouration, the Phillips Zoom Teeth Whitening system offers patients dramatic reductions of up to 8 shades within a one-hour appointment. From a speed and efficacy perspective, the in-chair whitening method is a clear favourite. It lets time-poor individuals skip the lengthy and repetitive whitening process associated with home treatment methods.

In-chair laser whitening treatment may be your best option if you want more immediate and better whitening results.

Dentist-Prescribed Home Treatments

If you wish to go for a solution that is more affordable than in-office whitening but do not wish to compromise on results, there’s a third option you can explore: Professional take-home teeth whitening kit. Although it takes up to 2 weeks (rather than an hour) to achieve the whitening effects, they offer more consistent results than OTC products. That’s because dentist-dispensed home whitening kits use customised bleaching trays that are tailored to your specific teeth structure. The trays fit your teeth more snugly, hence provide a more even spread of the whitening gel. Importantly, the products are endorsed by dental professionals hence results do not vary brand to brand as with OTC products.

Professional take-home teeth whitening kits take up to 2 weeks to achieve the whitening effects but they offer more consistent results than OTC products.