Many individuals who aren’t satisfied with their smiles want to achieve a whiter, brighter look. When you decide to undergo whitening treatment, you may feel tempted to pick up an at-home kit the next time you’re in the grocery store.

However, you are more likely to be confident in and happy with your new and improved smile if you seek whitening treatment through your dentist. Here are the seven main advantages that professional tooth whitening has over at-home options.

1. Brighter Results



Whitening products sold over-the-counter promise incredible results, but these products may not be able to deliver unless the discoloration of your teeth is fairly mild. To make these kits cheaper and easier to use, the included whitening agents have a lower concentration of the active ingredient than professional grade whitener does.

To illustrate the difference, at-home treatments typically contain approximately 3 percent peroxide, while professional whitener may contain as much as 35 percent. This stronger grade can remove more stubborn stains, giving you brighter results.

Additionally, when you work with a dentist, you often have the option to choose your exact goal shade so you are able to get the results you desire.

2. Complete Treatment

At-home whitening treatment kits are generally one-size-fits-all. Unfortunately, no two mouths are exactly the same. The standard trays included in many of these kits will fit some mouths better than others, and you won’t be able to tell if they’ll fit yours until you’ve used them.

When you work with a professional whitening expert, the trays used will be made just for you, which ensures a more even application and thorough treatment.

3. Fewer Risks

Whitening is rarely a comfortable experience. Many individuals who undergo whitening have tooth sensitivity and discomfort as a result. In some cases, contact with the whitening agent can damage the gum tissues and undermine the strength of the tooth enamel.

When you undergo professional treatment, your dentist covers your gums to protect them from contact and conducts the whitening at a controlled pace. This approach prevents over-bleaching and minimizes discomfort during and after the procedure.

4. Lasting Results

Most over-the-counter whiteners take a while to work, and the results don’t last for very long after they do begin to work. This fleeting result occurs because of the weakness of the whitener solution.

When you see a dentist for whitening, the initial treatments remove all the stains on your teeth. Then, once your teeth are at your ideal shade, your dentist can give you maintenance kits you can use between appointments so your smile looks beautiful for a longer period of time.

5. Patient Education

When you make changes to your smile, it’s important to do so in accordance to professional recommendations. While a white smile is a common goal, the path to whiter teeth isn’t a universal one.

Your dentist can help you determine the causes of your tooth discoloration and create a whitening plan that reflects your needs. Your dentist can provide alternatives to whitening if your desired shade isn’t achievable with traditional whitening.

For example, discoloration caused by root canals and similar procedures cannot be lightened through whitening. Instead, your dentist may recommend a veneer for the affected tooth or teeth.

Additionally, your dentist can prepare you for the whitening process and appropriate maintenance afterward. You may need to make changes to your diet in order to keep your ideal shade. If you go with box whitening, you may notice your results fade and never know the cause or how to fix the underlying problem.

6. Personalized Treatment

When you use a box treatment, the kit instructions cannot accommodate any special concerns you may have. You also may not be able to identify potential problems with a kit yourself. For example, you may not realize that some of your previous dental work will affect your whitening results.

Office whitening gives you the opportunity to discuss your smile goals with a professional who can help you achieve them. Your treatment can be tailored to address your schedule, problem areas and other individual concerns.

7. Shorter Wait Time

As mentioned in section four, over-the-counter whitening kits generally take several weeks to show any results. If your teeth are too stained for the kit to take care of, you may never see results and not know why.

When you see a dentist for whitening, you walk away from your initial appointment with whiter teeth. Current in-office whitening methods, such as ZOOM!® teeth whitening, may take as little as one hour to give you a brighter, more confident smile.

If you think that whitening could be the smile adjustment you’re looking for, discuss your options with your dentist. For expert tooth whitening consultation and treatment, trust Valley Oak Dental Group. We specialize in ZOOM!® teeth whitening, one of the most effective treatment options currently available.