Options in Teeth Whitening: Making the Right Choice for You

Tooth discoloration can happen even if you are meticulous about your dental hygiene. When your teeth become yellow or stained, it can make you look older than you feel and self-conscious about your smile. Teeth whitening is an obvious solution, but how do you know which treatment is right for you? This blog covers the various options to help you choose the best teeth-whitening treatment to brighten your smile.

4 Min. Read:

Table of Contents

• How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
• Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Options
• Dentist-Prescribed Home Whitening Treatments
• In-Office Whitening Treatments
• Choosing the Best Teeth Whitening Method

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Whether you choose professional teeth whitening or an at-home teeth whitening kit, the basic process is the same. Most provide a whitening solution containing a chemical such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These ingredients penetrate the outer tooth enamel, breaking down stains beneath the surface and bleaching the natural teeth to a lighter shade of white.

Teeth whitening is usually a gradual process that requires repeated treatments to achieve your desired outcome. Professional whitening in your dentist’s office can produce faster improvements, with noticeable results after just one visit. However, there are pros and cons to any teeth whitening procedure, so weigh all your options to find the treatment that fits best with your lifestyle, teeth sensitivity, and budget.

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Options

Your teeth whitening solution could be as close as your nearest pharmacy. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products include whitening toothpastes, rinses, and strips.

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes contain peroxide-based gels and other abrasive ingredients that lighten tooth color over time. These products can penetrate the enamel surface to improve the teeth from within. However, they may cause tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and enamel thinning if used too often.

Teeth Whitening Rinses

Oral mouthwashes can also contain a peroxide solution to break down surface stains on the teeth. They require daily use to see results, which usually take at least a few weeks to become noticeable. They offer the added benefit of loosening food particles before brushing and freshening breath, but rarely produce a substantial improvement when used alone.

Teeth Whitening Strips

These flexible strips are coated with a thin layer of a peroxide solution or similar whitening agent. The strips are applied to the teeth daily for five to 30 minutes, and usually take a week or two before you see results. The strips are convenient and easy to use at home, but they can also cause uneven bleaching, tooth sensitivity, and gum irritation.

Dentist-Prescribed Home Whitening Treatments

Another option is to start your whitening journey in the dentist’s chair and then continue your treatments in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Your dentist can prescribe whitening trays, bleaching gels, or a home-use system that uses heat and LED light.

Custom Whitening Trays

Your dentist uses a mold of your teeth to create custom trays that fit your mouth perfectly. The uniform fit of the trays ensures an even application of the whitening solution, which produces a more consistent whitening process. Patients use the trays for one to three hours daily for up to two weeks. However, the gels can cause sensitivity or gum irritation due to the high concentration of the bleaching agent.

Prescription Bleaching Gels

These products contain a higher percentage of the bleaching agent for faster, more noticeable results. The gel is applied to the teeth with a brush similar to varnish, or it can be used in custom-fitted trays. The solution can be up to 10 times stronger than over-the-counter bleaching agents, which can lead to burning or enamel damage for some users.

Teeth Whitening System

The GLO Science So Brilliant™ Teeth Whitening System first applies a thin layer of whitening agent to the teeth. Next, an illuminating mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth, delivering gentle heat and LED light to accelerate the whitening process. The technology is also designed to reduce tooth sensitivity, which is often associated with other whitening methods.

In-Office Whitening Treatments

You can also schedule a whitening treatment in your dentist’s office, where you will be monitored closely by your dentist to prevent uncomfortable side effects and ensure superior results. Your dentist may provide bleaching or dentist-supervised treatments using the GLO Science So Brilliant™ Teeth Whitening System in their dental office for faster improvement.

In-Office Bleaching

Bleaching uses the same prescription-strength whitening gels used in home treatments, but applies them in the office using special tools and protective equipment. When your dentist administers this treatment, there is a lower risk of damage to your teeth and gums. However, you may still experience some temporary soreness or sensitive teeth after your procedure.

In-Office Whitening

Your dentist administers the GLO Science So Brilliant™ Teeth Whitening System in three consecutive eight-minute sessions. Because your dentist fully supervises the process, they can accelerate the treatment to produce noticeable results in a single session. However, you have the benefit of seeing your dentist demonstrate how to use the system while you are in the office, ensuring a more effective process.

Choosing the Best Teeth Whitening Method

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which teeth whitening treatment is best for you? While professional treatments in your dentist’s office are usually the safest and most effective, they can also be the most expensive. Talk to your dentist about your options to determine which treatment will work best for your teeth, based on current dental issues, tooth sensitivity, and your budget.

Learn More About Teeth Whitening in Riverside, CA and the Inland Empire

If you are ready for a brighter, more brilliant smile, Dr. Chad Tomazin and his team can help. We offer a variety of teeth whitening options to help our patients achieve their cosmetic goals safely and effectively. To learn more about teeth whitening in Riverside, CA, call our office today at (951) 686-3666 or complete our online contact form.