Do you have an upcoming holiday party that you want to look your absolute best for? Got a fun gathering you’re hosting where you know lots of photos will be taken? If you have a stained or yellow smile, you might feel inclined to use a quick solution like store-bought whitening strips just to prepare for your holiday event. However, did you know that these solutions are often not as safe, effective or long-lasting as professional teeth whitening in Uptown Houston? Keep reading to learn why!
Why Store-Bought Solutions Simply Can’t Compete
Discolorations in teeth occur when your smile is exposed to staining foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, wine, red sauce, berries, or other options that carry richly-pigmentated colors. Once these foods settle on teeth, the enamel’s porous structure absorbs them, much like a clay pot absorbs water. Without quick removal, they can stain your teeth, making it appear dull, yellow, and stained, even if it is healthy.
While the solutions you find over-the-counter may be easier to purchase and cheaper, you are truly getting what you pay for when it comes to whitening. The fact is almost all teeth whitening products you find in store do not have the same bleaching ingredients as professional-grade whitening options. As a result, a store-bought product can remove surface stains from teeth, but hardly remove stains that are deeply embedded in your enamel.
Essentially, whitening strips and toothpastes can prevent stains from settling in your teeth, but not remove the stains that are already there.With stronger solutions from a dental office, you can break down the stains that are deeply embedded in enamel thanks to their higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. If you want truly radiant results that last and are completely safe, it pays off to have a dentist administering treatment.
Professional Whitening is the Safest Solution
While there are many products that only provide surface-level solutions to stained teeth, others can actually harm teeth if you aren’t careful. Charcoal whitening toothpaste, for example, has the potential to actually erode tooth enamel permanently.
Since the dentin layer of teeth, which sits just behind enamel, is naturally yellow in color, this can actually worsen the appearance of your smile. That’s why it’s always better to have a professional guiding you as you work to achieve a white smile for the holidays.
Achieve Longer-Lasting Whitening with Professional Options
Finally, professional whitening solutions are designed to last longer than anything you’d find in a store because they contain stronger and more effective bleaching ingredients. Not only does this mean you get a whiter smile more quickly, but you can maintain that smile more easily (and not have to buy the same store-bought option over and over again just to maintain results.
When you choose professional whitening solutions, you can expect your results to last for several months at a time when practicing daily oral care. That’s not something that can be said for any options you find in-store. If you’re in need of a brighter, more radiant smile this holiday season, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist today!
About the Author
Dr. Terri Alani offers many solutions for stained, discolored, yellow or dull tooth enamel, including professional teeth whitening treatments. As someone with 30 years of experience in providing cosmetic dentistry, her in-office and take-home whitening treatments are sure to make you a star at your next holiday gathering. To schedule your treatment in time for December, you can contact her through her website.