Everyone wants to have a bright, shiny smile. Teeth whitening goes a long way in achieving that. While there is a wide range of options for teeth whitening, these options can be narrowed down into two: professional teeth whitening by a teeth whitening dentist or at-home products.

Most teeth whitening agents today contain peroxide-based bleaching agents. However, what distinguishes various teeth whitening agents is the percentage of peroxide they contain. While at-home peroxide products may contain about 3 to 20 percent hydrogen peroxide, professional agents contain 15 to 43 percent.

You might be wondering about the best way to whiten your teeth and why you should whiten your teeth at the dentist. This article explains why teeth whitening is best done at the dentist. Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist has a lot of advantages, and this article explores them in detail. Read on to find out.

Benefits Of Professional Teeth Whitening

While it might seem that at-home products for teeth whitening are cheaper, professional teeth whitening methods are far superior and offer faster results with less risk, especially when compared to over-the-counter methods. Some of the benefits of professional teeth whitening include:

  • Faster Results: As mentioned above, professional teeth whitening agents contain higher peroxide content. The higher peroxide content of professional agents provides better teeth whitening at a faster pace than at-home agents. Dentists also use other factors like heat and light to hasten teeth whitening while intensifying results. 

Professional teeth whitening can provide lighter shades of teeth within just one hour, while at-home remedies usually require weeks to months to see any significant results. 

  • Lasts Longer: A critical benefit of professional teeth whitening is that the treatment is overseen before and during the procedure. This ensures excellent and long-lasting results that are impossible to get using at-home methods. Before teeth whitening begins, your dentist will scrutinize your teeth. This is done to assess if dental bleaching is suitable for you and to help avoid unsuitable results. Your dentist will also clean your teeth to remove any plaque or tartar present on their surface before applying bleaching agents. 

Professional teeth whitening agents cleanse the teeth from within. This results in longer-lasting results, especially when compared to at-home methods. Your dental specialist ensures that the procedure causes only the least possible amount of pain or gum irritation and teeth sensitivity during treatment. 

  • Lower Risk of Tooth Damage and Sensitivity: A common side effect of teeth whitening treatments is gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. When teeth whitening agents or whitening gel are left on the teeth for prolonged periods, it can lead to dehydration of the teeth, causing sensitivity. Peroxide-based agents can also irritate the gums, resulting in pain while chewing or eating.

The chances of developing these side effects are higher with at-home whitening agents as they can be easily misused. The best chance of preventing damage to your teeth from teeth whitening procedures is by letting professionals handle teeth whitening for you. Professional dental whitening is applied carefully after preparing the mouth and gums. 

  • Reduced Responsibility: Undergoing professional teeth whitening takes all the pressure of getting it right from you. Professional teeth whitening places the responsibility for an excellent job solely on your dental specialist. This means that you can come for your dental appointment, sit back, relax, and leave your dentist’s office at the end of your appointment with shinier teeth and a brighter smile. 

When poor results or damage to teeth occurs due to at-home teeth whitening methods, professional treatment will have to focus on fixing two problems that could have been avoided by seeking out professional help at the onset. 

While teeth whitening is suitable and can leave you with a bright smile, it is essential to be aware of the risks associated with at-home teeth whitening procedures. Professional teeth whitening is safer, faster, and has a lot of added benefits over at-home methods. So if you are interested in professional teeth whitening, get in touch with your Markham dentist today. 

Visit or book an appointment with our dentist in L6E 1M1 at Greensborough Dental for the highest quality of care in Markham, ON. Call us at 905-209-7222