Teeth whitening can lighten stains and enhance your confidence. However, not all bleaching treatments are safe and effective. Here are three reasons to head straight to a dentist and avoid over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products.

Why Should You Skip Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

1. Lack of Control

OTC whitening methods take months to make a difference because each treatment minimally lightens the enamel. If you don’t apply the gel trays or liners evenly, you may not like the uneven results. Plus, you can’t customize the treatments to each tooth, so you won’t be able to use extra whitening on teeth that have additional wear.

If you go to a dentist for teeth whitening, they will talk over what shade you want your teeth to be before mixing the whitener to reach that color. They can also promote even coloring by treating darker teeth more than those that don’t feature staining.

2. Speed

At-home teeth whitening systems from the drugstore take weeks or months of frequent use to make a difference. These trays or strips feature low doses of whitener to protect users against oral damage. The results are gradual, and it’s often difficult to see the changes unless you compare your smile with a past photo.

Dentists can make your teeth noticeably whiter in one appointment because they use a higher concentration of whitener and a laser to activate it. These oral hygiene professionals protect the gums with a gel to prevent exposure to the whitening light, which can be irritating. With laser treatments, an hour of exposure will make a clear difference right away. They’ll also send you home with touch-up trays to retain those changes over time.

3. Sensitivity

Since the effects of OTC whiteners are minimal and gradual, many people don’t use them as directed. Instead, they try to speed the process. Placing these products incorrectly or using them more often than directed can damage the mouth. You may feel gum or tooth sensitivity after using these treatments, especially if you didn’t follow the directions.

To safeguard your teeth and gums from this discomfort, ask your dentist about teeth whitening. The professionals know how to vet products for in-office use and only perform treatments that are safe and comfortable.

To schedule professional teeth whitening to enhance your smile, contact the Dental Clinic of Onalaska in La Crosse County, WI. The dental staff has nearly 30 years of experience offering preventative dentistry, implants, mouthguards, root canals, and more. Call the Onalaska-area practice at (608) 783-3341 to schedule an appointment. Visit the website for information on their friendly services for patients 18 and up.