Let’s face it, home teeth whitening gets a lot of bad press and, in some cases, rightly so. However, most of that press stems from the seemingly endless supply of over-the-counter products. You don’t have to go far these days to see an advert for the latest whitening strips, whitening gels, or even the next best thing in whitening toothpaste, but are they really any good? The honest answer is, maybe, maybe not!
The reason for the less than straightforward answer is that teeth whitening treatments vary hugely in whitening capability. With this in mind, the question is, how can you guarantee that the home teeth whitening product you buy will make a noticeable difference to your teeth?
The answer is to go pro!
It’s true! Professional teeth whitening treatments supplied by your dentist are far more likely to whiten teeth faster, better, and safer than any over-the-counter product. Here’s why…
Higher quantities of bleaching agent
Did you know that when you buy an over-the-counter teeth whitening treatment here in Australia, it’s only legally allowed to contain less than 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide? These are the bleaching agents that whiten teeth. The truth is that most of these products contain considerably less.
Take so-called premium ‘whitening toothpastes’ for example – products that call themselves ‘advanced whitening,’ ‘multi-action,’ or ‘enamel lock’ might not even contain any bleaching (whitening) agent at all. Instead, most contain a mild abrasive, which may remove surface staining but won’t whiten teeth.
On the contrary, home teeth whitening kits supplied by your dentist will contain 6% hydrogen peroxide and are clinically tested and proven to work.
Supervised whitening
When you go pro with your teeth whitening treatment, you’ll be under the supervision of your dentist throughout the process. They will give you a thorough examination to see if you’re a good candidate and then suggest the right professional take-home products for you. Here at Boutique Dental Care, for example, we recommend Opalescence. Patients can choose from teeth whitening treatment kits that are worn for just 30 minutes a day or, alternatively, overnight. There is also a choice of regular, mint, and melon flavours, depending on your preferences. We can even help you top up your smile with in-office treatment if you prefer.
Alternatively, when you buy any form of teeth whitening treatments over the counter, you’re on your own. Sure, you’ll have a set of instructions, but no one to get advice from if you’re experiencing sensitivity or the product isn’t working.
Customised treatment
Perhaps the best thing about home teeth whitening treatment from your dentist is that treatment is customised to match your teeth. Not everyone’s teeth are perfectly uniform and straight. So, when you buy, say, some whitening strips, how will you ensure an even whitening. This isn’t the case with take-home teeth whitening treatments from your dentist. All trays are custom-designed to fit your mouth, so you get the perfect all-over whiteness every time.
Are you ready to get a guaranteed, whiter, brighter smile? Contact the team at Boutique Dental Care on (02) 9054 5281 today and ask us about chairside or take-home teeth whitening.
References
ACCC – Taking Action On Unsafe Teeth Whiteners
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-takes-action-on-unsafe-teeth-whiteners#:~:text=%22Consumers%20should%20be%20extremely%20cautious,18%20per%20cent%20carbamide%20peroxide.%22
Sydney Morning Herald – Whitening Toothpastes Are A Washout
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/whitening-toothpastes-a-washout-choice-20120704-21g4u.html