If your smile isn’t as bright as it used to be, there are plenty of ways you can whiten your teeth. While many consumers are quick to pick up a do-it-yourself solution from the drugstore, Oahu Dental Care notes that these at-home treatments often deliver less-than-optimal results. If you’re looking for a more reliable alternative, this dentist of Honolulu and Pearl City, HI explains why you’ll be better off visiting a professional for teeth whitening.

3 Reasons to See a Dentist for Teeth Whitening Instead of Doing It at Home  

1. Better Brightening  

DIY solutions—such as whitening strips and specialized toothpaste—can gradually wear away discoloration, but the results are hardly noticeable compared to professional treatments. There are even a few methods available to address intrinsic staining—or discoloration inside the tooth—something that over-the-counter products can’t do.

When you opt for in-office teeth bleaching, your smile will be treated to a unique peroxide-based formula that delivers more impressive enhancement. Specifically, many patients who opt for dentist-provided treatment typically experience whitening that’s three to seven shades brighter.

2. Faster, Longer-Lasting Results

In order for at-home products to work, they must be used for weeks on end and applied a few times a day. Rather than go through so much hassle for lackluster results, you can speed up the process by visiting your dentist for professional treatment. Peroxide-based bleaching gel treatments take only about an hour to 90 minutes to complete, especially if your dentist uses a special light to activate whitening compounds in the formula.

While professional treatments don’t deliver permanent results, they are much longer lasting than DIY methods. Generally, patients can enjoy the effects of teeth whitening for up to a year, especially if they embrace rigorous dental hygiene and avoid foods and drinks that stain.

3. Ideal for Sensitive Teeth  

During in-office treatments, dental teams work to limit a person’s exposure to whitening formulas to prevent unnecessary sensitivity in teeth and gums. In some cases, professional whitening may cause minor sensitivity that gradually dissipates a few days after treatment. With at-home solutions, however, consumers have to constantly expose teeth to chemical compounds that may heighten sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, as well as sweets.

If you’re looking for easy and effective teeth whitening in Pearl City or Honolulu, HI, Oahu Dental Care can introduce you to some of the best professional treatments available. Committed to patients’ satisfaction with their smiles, this dental office also offers other ways to correct discoloration, such as teeth cleanings and porcelain veneers. More information about these services is available on the clinic’s website. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 732-2821 to reach the Honolulu office or (808) 456-5005 to speak with a Pearl City associate.