‍Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening: What You Should Know

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments among patients who want a brighter, more appealing smile. But if you’ve never had your teeth whitened before, you may have some questions about the process.

What are your options for teeth whitening? Should you get treatment from a dentist, or try to brighten your teeth on your own with DIY products? And what are the pros and cons of teeth whitening, anyway? In this comprehensive guide to teeth whitening from Walnut Creek Dental, we’ll discuss the answers to all of these questions and many more!

Breaking Down Your Teeth Whitening Options

If you’ve never had your teeth whitened before, you may be a bit intimidated and confused by how many options are available. You can choose to see a dentist like Dr. Pappas for in-office or take-home treatment, or you could opt for a DIY whitening kit, or even treatments like whitening toothpaste or mouthwash. But what’s the best option, and what’s involved in each one? Let’s break it down.

In-office teeth whitening

If you want fast results for a special occasion, in-office teeth whitening is your best option. You can usually get a smile that’s between 5-10 shades brighter in just a single visit to Walnut Creek Dental. Your dentist will clean your teeth, then protect your gums and cheeks. 

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Next, they will apply whitener to your teeth, activate it with a UV light, and leave it in place for a few minutes. Then, your dentist will repeat this process until your smile has reached the desired brightness.

Take-home whitening 

We also offer take-home whitening at Walnut Creek Dental. You’ll come in for a quick visit with your dentist, who will take an impression of your teeth and gums. They will use this to create a set of reusable custom whitening trays. 

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Once your trays are ready, you’ll come in to pick them up. Your dentist will give you a set of whitening products, as well as instructions on how to whiten your teeth at home. You will usually whiten your smile for an hour per day, and see maximum results within 2-3 weeks of at-home treatment.

Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products

There are lots of over-the-counter whitening kits available. They come in the forms of disposable trays, reusable trays, whitening pens, and more. While these products can be effective, they are not always safe, and they will not typically provide the same level of brightness as professional whitening.

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However, there are some ADA-accepted OTC whitening products available, like Crest Whitestrips. When used as directed, these are safe and effective, and are a good option if you’d like to whiten your teeth on your own and save money compared to professional whitening.

Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash

Along with OTC whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips, there are some toothpaste products and mouthwashes that contain a small amount of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide whitener. These are typically safe to use as directed on the packaging, and can help with minor stains and keep your smile bright after you whiten your teeth. However, these products alone will not typically be enough to eliminate severe staining.

Understanding The Pros And Cons Of Teeth Whitening

Not sure whether you should have your teeth whitened at Walnut Creek Dental? As with any dental treatment, choosing teeth whitening has its own benefits and drawbacks. Take a look at the sections below to learn everything you need to know about teeth whitening and its pros and cons.

Pros of Teeth Whitening 

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• Boosts your confidence – Firstly and most importantly, teeth whitening helps you feel better about how you look. With teeth whitening in Groveport, OH from Dr. Pappas and our team, you can feel more confident whenever you flash your smile. Whether you’re smiling in pictures, laughing with friends, or presenting to your colleagues, you’ll feel better about your smile when you remove years of stains, yellowing, and buildup with our teeth whitening services.
  
  
• Look and feel younger –  Stained, discolored teeth make you look older than you really are. So not only does teeth whitening boost your confidence, but it also makes you look and feel younger. You can take years off of your appearance and love how you look in just about any situation.
  
  
• Totally non-invasive – Teeth whitening requires absolutely no drilling, numbing shots, or any other type of surgical treatment. This means it’s a perfect choice if you’d like to improve the brightness of your  smile, but you’re not interested in treatments that involve permanently altering your teeth.
• Affordable cosmetic treatment – Even if you choose to get professional treatment, the cost of teeth whitening is very low compared to other forms of cosmetic care like veneers and dental bonding. This makes teeth whitening a fantastic choice if you’re on a budget but would still like to enjoy the benefits of a brighter smile.
• Plenty of options available – There are lots of different options for whitening your teeth. If you choose to get professional whitening, you can choose between in-office treatment for fast results or take-home treatment for more convenience. And with plenty of ADA-accepted DIY whitening products available on the market, you can even try to whiten your teeth on your own. 

Cons of Teeth Whitening

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• Can cause teeth sensitivity – Teeth whitening sensitivity is common in most patients. While this usually goes away within a couple of days after your treatment, teeth sensitivity can cause some noticeable discomfort when you consume very hot or cold foods and drinks. At Walnut Creek Dental, we use the latest whitening compounds and anti-sensitivity treatments to help reduce the effects of post-whitening tooth sensitivity.
• May cause gum irritation or enamel wear – This is not common with professional treatments, but DIY treatments can cause irritation to the gums, and can even damage the gums or enamel with overuse. This is especially common for patients who use DIY whitening kits from the internet that may have dangerously high levels of peroxide.
• Cannot remove some types of stains – Teeth whitening cannot be used to treat internal stains, and may not be effective for some types of serious, deep stains. It can only remove stains from the
  
  
• Does not whiten dental work – Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not work on fillings, bridges, implants, or any other type of false tooth or dental restoration. If you have extensive dental work, getting professional teeth whitening is a good idea. Your dentist can make sure that they whiten your natural teeth to a shade that will match your existing dental work.
  
  
• Results are not permanent – Depending on your habits and how well you take care of your teeth, you can expect the results of teeth whitening to last between 1-2 years. However, if you get routine touch-up whitenings from Dr. Pappas and the team at Walnut Creek Dental, you can keep your smile bright for the years and decades to come.

Do “Natural” Teeth Whitening Methods Work? What To Know

Along with the options we’ve discussed above, you may also have heard of other “natural” teeth whitening methods that can be used instead of professional or OTC whitening products. Do they work?

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The answer depends on the whitening method. Some methods, like brushing with baking soda or charcoal, can remove surface stains, but lack the chemicals that actually remove deeper stains from teeth. In some cases, these abrasive compounds may be too harsh, and could cause serious damage and wear to your teeth enamel if used improperly.

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However, there are some methods that simply do not do anything at all. Natural methods like using banana peels, oil pulling, or using turmeric are completely ineffective. They will not change the color of your teeth in any significant way. While these “natural” solutions may not necessarily be harmful, they also will not provide the results you’re looking for.

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As with anything concerning your oral health, it’s best to ask your dentist for their opinion on the best way to whiten your teeth. Dentists like Dr. Pappas can always give you suggestions on ways to whiten your teeth that are safe, effective, and backed by science.

Safety Considerations For Teeth Whitening

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• Make sure you’re free of pre-existing conditions – If you haven’t had a dental checkup in a while, it’s best to come to Walnut Creek Dental for a checkup. Teeth whitening is not recommended for patients with issues like gum disease or cavities, so you’ll need a clean bill of health before you can get a brighter smile.
  
  
• Know if your teeth are sensitive – If you know that you have sensitive teeth, make sure to tell your dentist before you have your teeth whitened. They may be able to switch to a lower-strength product or take other steps to ensure you get great results without too much whitening-induced sensitivity.
  
  
• Go with a pro for the best results – If you want to make sure you get the best results and the lowest risk of complications, professional whitening from a dentist like Dr. Pappas is worth it. Compared to DIY whitening kits, you’ll get superior results with a lower risk of gum sensitivity and other common issues.
  
  
• If you choose DIY, go with ADA-approved products – If you do choose DIY teeth whitening with over-the-counter products, we recommend using only ADA-accepted treatments like Crest Whitestrips or the Colgate Optic White system. This helps reduce your risk of teeth whitening side effects like sensitivity and gum/enamel damage.

Visit Walnut Creek Dental For Safe, Effective Teeth Whitening

If you’re ready to explore your options for cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Pappas and the dentists at Walnut Creek Dental are here to help. We offer both take-home and in-office teeth whitening in Grove City, OH, as well as a wide variety of other cosmetic treatments including dental bonding, veneers, cosmetic crowns, and more. Not sure where to start? Give us a call at 614-864-2466 or book your consultation online to learn more about your options for a brighter, healthier, and more appealing smile.

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