Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 8am to 7pm
Saturday - 8am to 5pm

Woman has her teeth professionally whitened in dental clinic

Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Home Remedies: The Pros and Cons

Your smile is one of the first things someone notices about you. With that in mind, it’s understandable that teeth whitening is more popular than ever before. Whether it’s for a wedding, a job interview or simply for a fresh looking smile, whitening your teeth can be a great boost for confidence and creating a good first impression. There is now evidence that people who whiten their teeth professionally have

There is now evidence that people who whiten their teeth professionally have a lower levels of plaque and tooth decay. If you’re considering whitening your teeth, the first question is whether to get it professionally done or to opt for a home remedy. We’ll take through the pros and cons of both.

Home Remedies

Home teeth whitening remedies are cheap and contain a far lower concentration of bleaching product, meaning results are less impressive and often imperceptible. Here are the different home whitening products available:

Whitening Toothpaste

These can be found in a lot of supermarkets and chemists. They work by using abrasive particles to remove surface stains. Long term, these products wear your enamel and can even make your teeth more yellow

Whitening Strips

Clear adhesive strips that you stick onto your teeth once or twice a day for 30 to 120 minutes at a time depending on the brand. The results are limited and the process can be a nuisance since the strips adhere poorly to your teeth and don’t give full coverage of all teeth.

Brush-on Polish

This resembles nail polish and is applied to the teeth in a similar fashion. The instructions for doing so vary depending on the brand but typically it is done overnight. Once again the results are inconsistent and the process can be annoying.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Having your teeth whitened professionally has the advantage of being quick and more predictable. It also allows your dentist to assess the health of your teeth to make sure whitening is safe for you. The professional tools and expertise ensure the process goes smoothly and successfully. The process of professional teeth whitening generally starts with an assessment and professionally clean. There are two options for professional teeth whitening:

Take Home Trays

Dr Toulmin recommends this option to most of her patients. She uses impressions of your teeth to fabricate whitening trays individual to you. You place whitening gel into the trays and wear them for the period of time Dr Toulmin recommends. Benefits include the reasonably low cost, less risk of damage to teeth and gums than the other options and more predictable results.

In Chair

This option is best for those who need fast results, such as just before an important event. Done in the dental chair, Dr Toulmin will apply a protective layer onto the gums to prevent the gel and light from irritating them. She will then carefully apply a high-concentration whitening gel that isn’t available in stores. The process is accelerated with the use of a UV light.As such, this option is associated with the highest risk of tooth sensitivity.

If you’re interested in teeth whitening in North Sydney, come and see dentsits in north sydhey, Dr Toulmin for a consultation. She can evaluate your situation and determine which solution is best for you depending on what you want. Book an appointment today.