Markham In-Office Teeth Whitening: Why Is It Better than OTC?

So, you want to whiten your teeth. What a wonderful decision! You will benefit from having more self-confidence and the world will be a little richer for your tendency to smile more. You could choose an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit to do a passable job or you could opt for in-office teeth whitening to get even more stunning results. Why is there a difference? For several reasons, Markham in-office teeth whitening gives you faster, more noticeable and safer results.

Faster Results

OTC teeth whitening products are, by necessity, milder than in-office treatments. After all, they are being used by people who may know very little about their dental care or safety measures that must be followed when using the stronger products used by dentists. So, instead of waiting weeks to see results, you see a vast change in one brief visit with your dentist when you choose in-office whitening. Your dentist paints it on your teeth to cover each tooth surface. Then, we use a curing light to activate the gel and help it penetrate deeper into your teeth, which accelerates the whitening process. Your teeth are whiter much faster and with less trouble, too.

More Whitening Power

The whitening gel used in dental offices is much more powerful than the whitening products you can buy over the counter. The results are far more dramatic with in-office whitening.  How much more effective is it? According to a recent study, you can see up to a six-shade difference in three in-office visits. To get the same level of whitening, you would have to use OTC whitening strips 16 times!

Safer

You might be wondering how in-office whitening can be safer when the gel used is so much more potent. The biggest difference is that you have a professional managing the process. We use a rubber dam to isolate your teeth and protect your gums. Your dentist knows how to handle the gel and does it for you. When you whiten with OTC products, you might know very little about the effects of the substance you are putting on your teeth. However, your dentist knows about all the risks associated with whitening products and how to avoid them.

Your Dentist Is Available In Case of Problems

When you have your teeth whitened in a dentist’s office, one of the best things about it is your dentist is right there in case anything goes wrong. It probably won’t, because, after all, your dentist is an expert in teeth whitening. However, if your teeth become sensitive during the treatment, your dentist is there to provide immediate dental care.

Another Alternative: Dentist-Supervised At-Home Whitening

If you don’t like the idea of sitting in the dentist’s chair to have your teeth whitened or you think it is too expensive, dentists also offer a more budget-friendly option. Your dentist can take impressions of your mouth to make custom whitening trays. You also get a prescription for a stronger whitening agent than you can get over the counter. And, you get detailed instructions about how to use the whitening system. If you ever have any questions or concerns, you can call your dentist for further information and advice. The bottom line is that, whether you choose to have your teeth whitened in the markham dental office or at home under your dentist’s supervision, you will likely be much happier with the results!