Health Medicine

In-office vs. at-home teeth whitening

One of the most requested items patients ask for when visiting a Sandy dentist is how to get their teeth white. A white smile can be achieved in many ways, but specific ways are more successful. The whitening options consist of those that are professionally done in the dental office and those that are done at home. Here are the comparisons of both.

At-Home Teeth Whitening:
There are numerous ways to whiten your teeth at home, and those ways to keep expanding, making it challenging to decide which option is right for your oral health. In recent years,strips, gels, trays, and toothpaste are all great ways to lighten your teeth at home. But now, there are so many ways it can be overwhelming. Most at-home dental whitening methods take commitment and time. The methods to brighten your smile at home all aim to remove surface stains through abrasives, and some include chemical agents to provide additional removal of stubborn enamel stains. The top at-home dental whitening methods are:

Toothpaste: Toothpaste uses abrasives or polishing agents to remove minor stains. It does not include bleaching properties but focuses on coarse ingredients to shift stains from the surface of the teeth. Make sure you choose a toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval for the best results.

Strips: Hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in many whitening strips. Most strips retail for around $30, and you can see results within a week.

Gels: Like the strips, these products contain low doses of hydrogen peroxide in a gel that you brush directly onto your teeth. Results take a few days and last for about a few months.

Professional Kits: Your dentist in Sandy may have take-home bleaching options.

In-Office Professional Whitening:
In-office bleaching procedures typically use more powerful chemical agents like more hydrogen peroxide. To ensure deeper whitening of the enamel, laser light is often shined on the teeth that have been treated with a special gel. This process is much faster and lasts longer than at-home products. Patients at the Sandy office may also request to have professional custom-fitted trays to use at home. The trays are not as effective as laser light therapy in the office.
Professional treatments may be more expensive than those at-home options but will last longer and get rid of more stains. The Sandy dentist is also aware of your oral health and will not jeopardize it in any way. All precautions are taken before treatment, the reaction of gums and sensitivity is monitored or avoided, and all necessary cleaning is taken care of.

Fort Union Family Dental specializes in a variety of dental procedures including teeth whitening in Sandy.

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