Whitening strips are a popular way to attain a brighter smile in the comfort of your own home, with no time spent at the dental clinic. However, this is far from the most effective method when it comes to renewing the vibrancy of your pearly whites—and there are other factors to consider. Here, the Lorain, OH, dentist office of C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry explains whether whitening strips are worth your while.

First things first: If you’re wondering whether whitening strips actually work, the answer is yes. While they can brighten your teeth, however, you won’t attain the same results as you would at a dentist office. It won’t be possible to go as white—or to get as even as a result—as you would with professional dentistry tools and techniques.

Additionally, whitening strips do pose some problems. If the strips touch your gums, they can cause damage and even discoloration, creating a spooky, ghost-like effect! Whitening done by a dentist, however, uses special tools to protect your gums. For instance, in the case of chair-side whitening done at the dentist office, a light-activated whitening gel is placed only on your teeth, while your gums are specially protected.

Another issue with strips is they can’t get into the curves and crevices of your teeth. The result is uneven whitening, with telltale yellow spots left where strips don’t reach. The professional dental solution? Custom-made teeth trays you can take home and use to apply a whitening gel. These are molded to your teeth, meaning every crevice is covered—and they won’t slip and get the whitening solution on your gums.

Finally, it’s important to understand teeth whitening works on the basis of a chemical reaction. Having a dentist to supervise the process and provide the appropriate tools (and safe, top-quality whitening solutions) can spare you stress down the line. Whitening done incorrectly can lead to issues like sensitive teeth. With the many professional solutions developed to create a whiter smile, there’s no need to risk it.

If you’re interested in taking your teeth to megawatt-white levels, C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry can help. Serving the Lorain, OH, area, Dr. Sfeir and his team are dedicated to giving their patients happy and healthy grins. To request an appointment, visit their website or call the dentist office directly at (440) 960-5200.