Many people wish to have whiter, brighter teeth, and there are a lot of options available for individuals to reach that goal. Many people opt to use at-home teeth whitening kits to get a better smile. However, it is important to understand the pros and cons of these kits before purchasing them.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of applying a bleaching agent to the teeth to get a brighter, more pleasing smile. This process helps to remove stains and discoloration due to eating, drinking, and smoking over the years. Professional Teeth Whitening is performed by a dentist to safely achieve a whiter smile.
During a professional whitening at a dentist’s office, professional-grade products are used to ensure successful results without causing damage to the teeth. The dentist uses customized trays fitted to the shape of a person’s mouth to ensure proper coverage of the whitening gel.
Pros of At-Home Kits
At-home whitening kits can be a great benefit for some consumers. There are a variety of options available that can provide individuals with a whiter and brighter smile. One of the biggest pros to using an at-home kit is the cost. These kits are often considerably less than professional whitening. In addition, there is no office visit needed, so the costs are even lower for the at-home treatment.
At-home whitening is also beneficial because of the convenience. Some people prefer to be in the comfort of their own homes when whitening their teeth. They also are able to whiten whenever they wish without needing to wait for an available appointment.
Cons of At-Home Kits
There are a lot of cons to using at-home whitening kits that really must be considered. It is really important that individuals do their research before trying a product to ensure it is exactly what they are looking for. Some products are not as reliable as others and may have less-than-ideal results.
One of the biggest cons of at-home kits is bleach concentration. These products often have a much lower concentration than professional whitening products have. This means they cannot get the teeth as white as the products the dentist uses.
Another con with the at-home products is that they can cause tooth sensitivity. High concentrations of bleaching products can cause teeth to become very sensitive. In some cases, this sensitivity was only temporary, but repeated use could prolong the sensitivity.
Another con with home products is that they may cause gingival irritation. This happens when the whitening product makes contact with the gum. This can be caused by poorly fitted trays or a user’s inexperience in applying the products.
Some teeth whitening kits have also been the cause of further discoloration. Poor-quality kits may have less of the bleaching agent, or the bleach may not be properly mixed and could pose risks of discoloration or stains. These issues are often due to poor-quality products. It is important to research each product before making a purchase.
Although it is often safer and more reliable to have your teeth whitening performed at the dentist’s office, many people still choose to whiten their teeth at home. It may be a good idea to discuss various options with the dentist before purchasing a product. Very often, the dentist will be able to recommend safer options or provide safer alternatives for use at home.