Teeth Whitening Options - What We Recommend and What We Don't
As teeth whitening has gained in popularity over the recent years, so have the number of options available to whiten your teeth. You can go the professional route in your dentist’s office, hit up a mall kiosk for a whitening treatment, or stop in at your favorite drugstore and pick up an over-the-counter kit. But all tooth whitening treatments are not created equal.
Your Pikesville dentist, Naylor’s Court Dental Partners, has the following recommendations—and cautions—when it comes to tooth whitening.
At-Home Treatments Your Purchase at the Drugstore
There are numerous types of whitening strips, toothpaste, and mouthwashes you can pick up at the corner drugstore, but just how effective are these? And are they safe?
The truth is that many of these products will remove some of the surface stains from teeth, but this usually only happens over a period of several weeks. Often people lose interest or forget to keep using the product, so whitening results are minimal at best.
These products are also used incorrectly much of the time, and that can mean people experience uncomfortable sensitivity after using the products. Some of the OTC whitening products also contain abrasives, which can damage your tooth enamel with continued use.
Tooth Whitening at the Mall
Kiosks for quick whitening-while-you-shop treatments have been popping up all over the country, and we would like to caution you against using them. The people who work at these places have not received any training regarding protecting your oral health, and you can cause irreversible damage to your teeth by whitening your teeth here. Some of the problems that have been reported include weakened tooth enamel and inflammation of the tooth pulp.
Professional Teeth Whitening
The best, safest, and most effective way to have your teeth whitened is at your dentist where those administering the treatment have been properly trained. Your results will be dazzling—and your oral health will be protected.
Make an appointment today for tooth whitening treatment at your Pikesville dentist, Naylor’s Court Dental Partners. Call today!
