If you’re currently unhappy with the shade of your teeth, you aren’t alone—many patients these days suffer from tooth discoloration, which has created a large demand for teeth whitening products. But the fact is, even though all sorts of over-the-counter whitening products claim that they’ll whiten your teeth, nothing can beat the level of care offered by your dentist! Keep reading to learn a little more about teeth whitening and some of the drawbacks of using store-bought products, along with why you should seek out professional treatment for results you’ll truly love.
The Problems with Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
The purpose of teeth whitening is relatively straightforward; to eliminate visible staining and discoloration present in teeth and give the patient a whiter, more attractive smile. However, it’s not always easy to achieve this, especially if you’re leaving it up to over-the-counter products. Here are a few examples of some store-bought products that don’t live up to their hype and can potentially even harm your pearly whites:
- Whitening toothpaste – These types of toothpaste line the shelves at most stores, and though they can prove somewhat effective after consistent use, they still fall considerably short of what your dentist can accomplish. You can still select one that’s clinically proven to whiten teeth if you’d like to supplement your dentist’s treatment.
- Whitening strips – Even though these items use similar components to what your dentist uses, they’re usually at much lower concentrations. They also have the tendency to cause mouth sores and sensitivity. It’s also not unheard of for patients to experience worsened results after using these items!
- Natural home remedies – Some of these fads include things like lemon juice or activated charcoal, but these items can actually lead to high acidity within the mouth and enamel erosion.
- Products with hydrogen peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide should never be used to clean your teeth, as the chemical can harm your soft oral tissues.
Why You Should Trust Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
It’s true that the price of professional teeth whitening is typically greater than store-bought products, not to mention, it’s not always convenient to make your way to the dentist’s office. But you have to remember that when it comes to teeth whitening, your results will correspond with your efforts and investment.
A skilled dentist has access to the best possible whitening agents available, and these products can do what store-bought products can’t—in fact, they can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades! You also won’t have to test and try out various store-bought goods. Plus, your dentist will supervise the entire process, meaning that if there is some type of snag or hiccup, they’ll be able to quickly remedy it.
Professional teeth whitening is the obvious choice for patients who truly want to whiten their teeth in an impressive, supervised, and lasting manner, so if you’re ready to achieve a smile that’ll capture the attention of all those around you, don’t wait to contact your cosmetic dentist today!
About the Practice
The team at Winning Smile Dental Group is honored to provide patients and families in the Evanston, IL area with an unrivaled level of dental care! Under the leadership of Dr. Polly Reese, Dr. Robert Baima, and Dr. Estelle Milrud, the practice is excited to offer a wide range of services including several cosmetic treatments like both at-home and in-office teeth whitening. If you have any questions or concerns about teeth whitening or you’d like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice through their website or over the phone for assistance. Telephone: (847) 350-1697.