Should You Whiten Your Teeth At Home Or At A Dental Clinic?

A lot of people long to have teeth that are whiter and brighter, and there are many different products and services available for this. If you long for whiter teeth, you might be trying to decide whether you should whiten them at home or go to a dental clinic to have this done. As you try to decide which is better for you, here are some things you should know about these options.

Cost differences

The first thing to understand is that there are big cost differences between whitening your teeth at home and doing it in a dental clinic. Professional teeth whitening costs vary, but the average cost is around $650. If you look into at-home products, you'll find that most cost under $100. The products you purchase at stores will often be less expensive than the costs you would pay to get a teeth whitening at a dental clinic.

The results

One of the reasons at-home products cost less is that they do not offer the same results as professional services. Professional services contain ingredients that are stronger and more effective for whitening teeth. This means that you will see noticeable results more so from getting your teeth professionally whitened. At-home products might offer some results for your teeth, but the results will likely not be as noticeable or as fast. It might require using the at-home products for several weeks or months before you can see the results you really want — if you ever get the results you want.

Factoring in your tooth health and oral situation

It is also important to factor in your tooth health and oral situation before using any type of whitening product or service. If you have oral problems, such as gum disease or cavities, it is not recommended to use whitening products, as they may cause a lot of pain to your teeth. Additionally, if you have overly sensitive teeth, it is always wise to talk about this decision with a dentist before proceeding, as most whitening services and products lead to an increase of sensitivity with teeth and gums.

If you would like to find the best way to whiten your teeth, you may want to begin by talking to a dentist about it. Your dentist can help you know your options and find the one that is best for you.

For more information, contact a dental office near you.