On a daily basis, we’re bombarded with advertisements addressing the whiteness of our teeth. Most ads are for professional cleaning products such as pens and toothpaste you can use at home to brighten your smile. However, it is easy to get lost in the options and caught up in the latest trends. Before moving forward with any new teeth whitening fad, it is important that your expectations are realistic. Read on to learn more about different types of teeth whitening options, and to find out if professional teeth whitening in Lakewood, CO is worth it.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
Rushing your kids from soccer practice at Beech Field to the Friday night lights at Green Mountain High School doesn’t give you a lot of ‘me’ time to enjoy. At-home teeth whitening kits and products are tempting, as they’re cheaper, easier, and quicker than stepping into a Lakewood, CO dental clinic. However, they aren’t always the best for your teeth.
Just as with professional teeth whitening treatments in Lakewood, at-home kits also include a bleaching agent. That said, the strength of the bleaching agent is much lower than what you would find at an in-office whitening appointment. This means that it may take longer to get the results you want.
Some common at-home types of whitening products include:
Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips are gel strips containing peroxide and other teeth-whitening agents. You can apply the strips to your teeth and remove them after the disclosed amount of time (usually about 30 minutes). The goal of the strips is to remove surface stains from your teeth. You will need several applications, such as twice a day for two weeks, but you should start to see results in a few days. Teeth whitening strip results tend to last for about four months.
Bleaching Trays
Bleach trays are a type of teeth whitening tool that starts at a dental clinic and then allows for at-home care after that. First, your Lakewood dentist takes a mold of your teeth and then creates custom bleach trays to match your unique oral setup. Once the trays are ready, you can add whitening gel into them and then put the trays in your mouth for a set period of time. Usually, the trays are worn for a few hours during the day or overnight. This will also take several applications to achieve obvious results.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Teeth whitening toothpastes are extremely popular. Most of these toothpastes use a mild abrasive to remove surface stains. Some may also contain a gentle polishing chemical agent that adds to the stain removal effectiveness. Although teeth whitening toothpastes have shown to make teeth appear whiter, they do not remove stains below the surface level. In addition, some toothpastes contain SLS, which can cause major irritation in some individuals.
Tooth Whitening Pens
A teeth whitening pen is a pen-like applicator that you can use to target teeth stains. You can use it by painting the whitening agent onto your teeth. Whitening pens are small and can fit in a pocket or purse to travel with you. However, they are designed to be one-time quick fixes and will need to be paired with another tooth whitening process for long-term effects.
Overall, at-home teeth whitening kits are okay, but they don’t deliver the same results as professional teeth whitening at a Lakewood dental clinic. If used in excess or improperly, they can also lead to further tooth sensitivity or breakdown. Proper technique is important not to cause unintended harm. Thankfully, your Lakewood dentist has professional training in these things and will protect your teeth while also providing the perfect results.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening In Lakewood, CO Worth It?
Professional teeth whitening in Lakewood, CO costs, on average, around ~$500 and is totally worth it! For the speed, accuracy and care taken to protect your teeth and oral microbiome, no other option compares. Lakewood dentists are very conscious about safety when using teeth whitening products, as they understand the structure of the tooth, and when whitening may or may not be a good idea.
In-office teeth whitening is much stronger than at-home whitening kits, as the office procedures include more peroxide in the solution. As a result, it can change the color of your teeth faster than the DIY route, and also reach deeper than just surface level. Long-lasting results with the home treatment will get you to about 4 months, where a professional whitening in Lakewood, CO can last 6 months or more!
In most cases, it’s worth the extra cost to have a Lakewood dental clinic whiten your teeth. The results will last much longer and the entire process will be safer for you and your teeth. Your dentist will also check out your teeth to make sure they are in good health before exposure to the chemical that can irritate dental problems that might already be present.
Schedule an Appointment for Professional Teeth Whitening In Lakewood, CO
When it comes to teeth whitening, it is important to consider the benefits of a dental professional doing the job, and keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth safe and healthy.
Before starting any whitening process, be sure to ask your Lakewood dentist which application is best for you. Interested in learning more about professional teeth whitening in Lakewood? Schedule your next appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Turner here and she’ll get to know you and evaluate your unique needs at our Lakewood dental clinic.
To learn more about cosmetic dentistry services in Lakewood, Colorado, visit this page here.
