Getting your teeth whiter will make you feel better about yourself and often makes people look younger as well. With so many benefits to teeth whitening at the dentist, there’s no reason not to try it out today.
Teeth whitening at the dentist is worth it because professional teeth whiteners have been shown to be safe, effective under supervision from dental professionals as well as coming with long-lasting results for those looking into this option. Teeth whitening options tend to be affordable.
There are a lot of different opinions out there about whether or not teeth whitening is something that should be done at home or with the help of a professional. We’ll discuss the benefits of getting your teeth whitened at the dentist and whether or not it’s worth your time and money. This is a great question for you to ask yourself if you’re trying to decide what treatment will be best for you!
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a treatment that can be performed by your dentist in order to improve the look and feel of teeth that have become discolored or stained. There are many teeth whitening treatments that can be performed at the dentist’s office. Teeth whitening does not affect the healthy tissue of teeth.
What Teeth Whitening Treatments can be Performed at the Dentist’s Office?
You may have your teeth whitened using a teeth-whitening tray or even with a teeth-whitening pen, which can make teeth whiter in a matter of seconds. Teeth whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide are often used for this process. There are also teeth bleaching kits and trays that contain carbamide peroxide, but it takes longer to achieve results from that kind of teeth whitener. In most cases, teeth will become two shades whiter after three days following this treatment method. Teeth brighteners containing ingredients such as lemon essential oil may be effective as well.
How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
Professional teeth whitening can last anywhere from 6 months to three years depending on the teeth whitener used. If teeth are exposed to teeth-staining food or drinks, teeth will soon return to their previous color. If teeth are still sensitive after teeth whitening, talk to your dentist about the best teeth-whitening toothpaste or gels that can be used to keep teeth white and eliminate sensitivity.
How Often Should I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened?
While you can go years without having your teeth professionally whitened, it is recommended at least every 6 months for maintenance purposes. Typically the teeth are really white after only one whitening session. Some people even choose to have it done once a year or optionally in between professional cleanings which usually occur every 6 months.
It’s important not to overdo this because teeth could be weakened by the bleaching agent used during teeth whitening sessions and excessive use can result in tooth sensitivity due to dental enamel damage. If your teeth naturally lighten over time, you should only use teeth whitening once every 6 months to avoid overdoing teeth whitening.
Are Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments Permanent?
The teeth whitening treatments that you can get from your dentist are not permanent. They will wear off as teeth naturally lighten over time. This means that teeth should only be treated once every 6 months to avoid teeth lightening happening too quickly and teeth sensitivity due to tooth enamel damage. Typically teeth are not too sensitive after teeth whitening, but some people will experience teeth sensitivity which can be relieved by using special teeth whitening toothpaste. The treatments are done with custom trays that fit over the teeth so it is much safer than having your teeth bleached at home. There are also different strengths of teeth bleaching agents used during in-office teeth whitening treatment sessions so you can have safe teeth whitening for your specific needs.
What Are The Most Effective Teeth Whitening Procedures?
The most effective teeth whitening treatment is one known as laser teeth bleaching. This procedure uses a special kind of laser in addition to the teeth whitening gel during teeth whitening treatment sessions and this makes teeth up to 10 shades whiter than other teeth whitening methods. With this method, there is no tooth sensitivity or waiting for results with in-office teeth whitening sessions being able to be done in just an hour’s time. The process is quick with little discomfort involved so it really is teeth whitening done right and easily.
Tooth bleaching uses a teeth bleaching gel that is applied during teeth whitening treatments to make teeth whiter. The teeth will be sensitive after the teeth whitening treatment as teeth are weakened by this process but most people can tolerate it. Teeth sensitivity from teeth whitening treatment sessions typically wears off within an hour or two of having teeth whitened. There are also teeth whitening toothpaste available for people who want to use teeth whitening treatment at home. With so many great teeth whitening options, you cannot go wrong with professional teeth bleaching treatments from your dentist. Other procedure options include teeth bleaching trays, teeth bleaching strips, and teeth whitening pens.
Does Professional Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth?
Professional teeth whitening treatment is done in-office by your dentist and it does not damage teeth. It is the safest teeth whitening option as teeth are not affected by teeth bleaching agents that are used during teeth whitening sessions. Teeth sensitivity will only happen to those with teeth that naturally lighten over time as tooth enamel can be weakened by teeth bleaching agents which results in dental enamel damage.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Teeth Professionally Whitened?
The teeth whitening procedure will depend on what teeth whitening treatment you want to have done. Prices will also vary depending on the teeth bleaching agent being used during teeth whitening sessions and how many teeth you want your dentist to whiten.
- Laser whitening can cost in the range of $1,000. This is the most effective and expensive form of whitening.
- Take home kits like the Crest Whitening Strips can cost in the range of around $50.
- Customized tray whitening kits usually cost between $250 and $500
- The teeth whitening process that is done in your dentist office costs around $600. Having your teeth whitened in a dentist office generally produces whiter teeth results. Your dentist is able to use higher doses of hydrogen peroxide to achieve whiter results.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?
Cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening and gum contouring are not covered by most dental insurance policies. This is because these treatments have a cosmetic purpose rather than an orthodontic or medical one — meaning they can’t be considered “medically necessary.”
