Teeth Whitening at Home vs. Professional Treatments: What You Should Know

The aspiration to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile has been a top priority for humans for centuries. But the popularity of teeth whitening products has increased drastically in the past few decades with the boom of at-home whitening kits, toothpaste, and all-natural brightening remedies. But is at-home whitening really just as good as professional whitening treatments? Let's take a closer look.

With so many teeth whitening options available on the market today, it may be hard to choose between an at-home product or a professional treatment. Each method has its pros and cons, and understanding the differences can help you make the best choice for your unique smile.

The Pros of At-Home Whitening Treatments

At-home teeth whitening treatments range from store-bought plastic whitening strips, toothpaste, mouthwash, and even low-grade LED whitening kits. Though they may be less effective than a professional in-office treatment, many of these at-home whitening products do work over time and are more affordable to consumers than professional whitening. The biggest pros of at-home whitening include:

• More affordable than professional treatments.
• Convenience of at-home use. 
• The lower concentration of bleaching agents can be more suitable for sensitive teeth.

The Cons of At-Home Whitening Treatments 

While at-home whitening treatments can be convenient and affordable, they are also less effective when compared to the high-quality teeth-whitening treatment available with a professional cosmetic dentist. At-home whitening solutions contain lower concentrations of active ingredients, resulting in uneven color and being less effective when removing deep stains or discoloration. The biggest cons of at-home whitening include:

• Longer progression to see results.
• Less effective on deep stains and discoloration.
• A higher risk of uneven whitening or gum irritation if used improperly.

The Pros of Professional Teeth Whitening

Though at-home whitening products have become popular with over-the-counter brands, professional teeth whitening with a cosmetic dentist is still known to be the best way to achieve a white and bright smile when it comes to the speed of results, safety, and treatment tailored to your unique oral conditions. Professional whitening solutions used by your dentist are much stronger and more effective than anything you could buy off the shelf, and the application by a trained professional minimizes the risk of gum irritation or uneven tone. The biggest pros of professional teeth whitening include:

• Quicker and more dramatic results.
• Low-risk application and professional supervision.
• Custom treatment plans tailored to your needs. 

The Cons of Professional Teeth Whitening

For those seeking quicker and more dramatic results, a professional whitening treatment performed by your dentist is going to be the way to go. The biggest cons of professional teeth whitening include:

• A higher cost when compared with at-home methods.
• Possible temporary tooth sensitivity.

At the end of the day, the best teeth-whitening method for you will come down to your whitening goals, budget, and the level of tooth discoloration you are dealing with. If you have a lower budget and mild staining, an over-the-counter option may suffice. However, if you are seeking more dramatic and quicker results with moderate to severe discoloration, an in-office treatment may be worth the slightly higher price tag.

The best news is that at MINT dentistry, you can have the best of both worlds. Our high-solution at-home professional whitening kits are custom-made for your teeth by our dentists with dental-grade whitening treatment. They can also be used safely in the comfort of your own home, based on nobody's schedule but yours—and are completely FREE (with PPO dental insurance plans). That sounds like a win-win-win to us.

To find out more about MINT dentistry's professional and at-home custom teeth-whitening options, schedule an appointment  with our team today or call 833.879.6468. MINT dentistry provides exceptional dental services at affordable prices for everyone and FREE teeth whitening with PPO dental insurance plans.