Advertisements for teeth whitening are all over the place on billboards, commercials, and radio adverts. It is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry services available and something numerous people take advantage of every year. People who explore the idea of getting teeth whitening done are faced with a choice: at-home teeth whitening vs. professional.
Many products are available to do teeth whitening at home on your own. At the same time, dentistry practices like Dental Designs of Maryland – White Marsh, MD also offer professional teeth whitening services. It can be hard to figure out which method to pursue. Understanding the pros and cons of at-home teeth whitening vs. professional will help you decide what best fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Contact Dental Designs of Maryland – White Marsh, MD at 410.834.4284 to learn about teeth whitening services in Maryland.
What Causes Discolored Teeth?
A variety of substances and factors cause discolored teeth. Teeth whitening, whether you do it at home or get it professionally done, is not necessarily permanent. After getting your teeth whitened, you do a lot to retain whitened teeth. With that in mind, here are a few things that cause discolored teeth:
- Coffee, tea, and red wine
- Tobacco use
- Age
- Mouth trauma
- Medications, including antihistamines, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medication
Some of these may be hard to avoid than others. For instance, you may need to keep taking blood pressure medication after teeth whitening. Avoiding tobacco use is one of the most important things to keep your teeth white. It doesn’t hurt to avoid heavily-pigmented drinks like coffee and dark wines.
Teeth Whitening Options
Before analyzing the differences between at-home teeth whitening vs. professional, you may be wondering what your options are in the first place. These typically fall into three categories: whitening toothpaste, whitening kits, and professional whitening.
First, whitening toothpaste is the gentlest form of whitening. It is best for sensitive teeth, incredibly affordable, and easily done through your natural oral hygiene routine. The downside is that whitening toothpaste may not produce results that are as noticeable as other options. You also need to stick with using the product for weeks or even months to achieve the desired outcome.
Next is whitening kits. These can be purchased over-the-counter. They come in all different types, from strips to rinses to special brushes. Most of them contain peroxide that lightens the coloration of tooth enamel over a period of a few weeks.
The third option is getting teeth whitening done professionally by your dentist. Professionally-applied whiteners are much stronger than what you can get from toothpaste or at-home kit. The whitening you receive from your dentist will work faster than you can get over-the-counter.
Teeth Whitening Services at Dental Designs of Maryland – White Marsh, MD
The differences between at-home teeth whitening vs. professional whitening usually come down to the time, cost, and longevity. Professional services offer a more instantaneous fix, whereas doing it yourself at home requires dedication and time spread across several weeks or months.
At-home kits typically cost about $50, and whitening toothpaste is $10 or less. Meanwhile, a dental visit for professional whitening can range from $300 or more. What you are paying for is more reliable results that you will notice immediately. Doing it professionally also means you don’t have to bother spending time applying the at-home kits for weeks at a time.
The last factor to consider is longevity. You want your teeth whitening to last. Professional whitening tends to last much longer than at-home teeth whitening because the substances used by dentists penetrate much deeper into the enamel. Professional services are the way to go if you want a long-lasting, quick fix for whiter teeth. The only downside is that they will cost you more. Contact 410.834.4284 to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services offered by Dental Designs of Maryland – White Marsh, MD.