What is the Best Teeth Whitening Option for Me?

| November 9, 2017

If you want a whiter smile, you might be overwhelmed by the array of whitening options available. We’re here to help! There are pros and cons to each of the various whitening methods available. Comparing them can help you make an informed decision about brightening your smile.

Also please note that anyone with sensitive teeth, worn enamel, or gum disease should speak to one of our dentists before trying an over-the-counter (OTC) whitening method.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes contain special abrasives that polish teeth, as well as chemicals that break down stains. While these types of toothpastes can’t lighten deep stains, they can remove surface stains that are caused by things like coffee and tobacco.

Whitening toothpastes typically cost between $5-$10, making them one of the most economical whitening options. And while they won’t whiten your teeth as much as professional dental whitening, they can brighten your smile by a few shades in 2-6 weeks.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are flexible pieces of plastic that fit over your teeth and cost between $25-$40. While they can whiten your teeth several shades, they’re not recommended for those with sensitive teeth or gums because the ingredients can be irritating.

Typically, you can see results from whitening strips in a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on which product you choose. While whitening strips do work, they can give uneven results, because unfortunately, the strips don’t adhere to the curves between teeth.

Whitening Pens

Whitening pens are compact, easy to carry, and hold enough gel for anywhere from 30-60 applications. Users simply take a whitening pen, click it to expel gel onto a brush, and then use the brush to paint the gel onto the teeth.

With just 2 weeks of regular use, a whitening pen can whiten your teeth up to 3-4 shades. While these pens can offer modest results, they may also temporarily increase teeth sensitivity—if that’s a concern for you, we recommend using them with care.

Tray-Based Over-the-Counter Bleaching Systems

Another option is to buy an over-the-counter kit that contains whitening gel and a plastic mouth tray. There are plenty on the market to choose from.

These kits offer various concentrations of bleaching solution, but typically, results take around 2 weeks. Because these trays aren’t custom-fitted, it’s possible to accidentally get gel on your gums, which can be irritating.

Dentist Take-Home Whitening Kits

As an alternative to over-the-counter kits, many dentists have take-home whitening kits. These are custom-fitted, so you won’t run into issues with gum irritation or uncomfortable trays. The whitening power tends to be stronger with kits from your dentist, so you should see better, quicker results as well.

For current Grandview patients, we offer a professional whitening take-home kit for just $69. With the kit, you’ll receive a custom-created tray and a whitening bleach that’s more powerful than what you can get over-the-counter.
You’ll find our take-home kit superior to drugstore whitening kits, because not only will our solution leave your teeth whiter, but the custom-fitted trays will also brighten your teeth more evenly.

In-Office Whitening

For the brightest smile possible, we recommend our in-office ZOOM® whitening treatment. ZOOM® will whiten your teeth up to 8 shades in just an hour, making this a great option if you have an upcoming special event—or if you’re just eager to experience rapid results.

Furthermore, because we’ll be carefully applying the whitening treatment to your teeth, you’ll be far less likely to experience the gum and teeth sensitivity that’s often associated with OTC products.

If you’re interested in having whiter teeth this holiday season, we encourage you to schedule your visit to Grandview Dental today, so you can secure an appointment before our year-end rush!