At-home teeth whitening kits may be convenient, but they aren’t nearly as effective or safe as visiting a dentist. While you may save money, the results and health risks aren’t worthwhile. Here’s an overview of why you should have a dental professional whiten your smile rather than using store-bought options. 

Why Avoid At-Home Whitening Solutions? 

1. Bad for Your Teeth

Many at-home options are acidic, which can damage your enamel. When this happens, you’ll notice tooth sensitivity, a painful and uncomfortable side effect. In some cases, even sucking in air can hurt. Even worse, some home whiteners can damage your nerves, leading to an unnecessary root canal. With professional dental whitening, on the other hand, sensitivity and other issues are rare. And when pain does occur, it’s short-term, mild, and will usually subside after the treatment. 

2. Slow Results

The at-home whiteners that don’t contain acidic elements can take weeks before you’ll see results. Plus, with extended use, your risk of tooth damage goes up. In some cases, you’ll need to stop the treatments for a little while or altogether. Rather than going through this uncomfortable and tedious process, a dentist can whiten your smile perfectly within one or two sessions. 

3. Uneven Whitening

Store-bought whitening strips or trays are usually one-size-fits-all products. This is an issue because your mouth may be too small or large, which could lead to uneven results; you’ll notice discoloration on some teeth. Plus, at-home options won’t work properly on crowns and other areas where dental work has been done. Professionals, on the other hand, will customize their solution to fit your teeth, providing even results that ensure every area of your smile is sparkling white.

When you’re ready to have a dentist whiten your smile, contact Enterprise Dental Associates. Serving Coffee County, AL, they’ve been helping residents of the area brighten and protect their teeth for over 37 years. They use the latest dental technologies and work hard to ensure every patient is comfortable throughout their appointments. Call (334) 347-9564 to speak to a staff member about professional whitening, or visit the website to learn more about their services.