Why is a dentist recommended teeth whitening procedure necessary when there are over-the-counter (OTC) products available, is a valid question patients interested in cosmetic treatments have to consider. While there are numerous products available over the counter from whitening toothpaste to home kits comprising of paint-on whiteners and strips to choose from, these are at best able to remove superficial stains from teeth and often do not whiten teeth effectively. A cosmetic dentist in Barnsley, on the other hand, is best placed to provide patients with satisfactory megawatts smiles. Patients can receive an improvement of between five and ten shades lighter when receiving in-clinic teeth whitening treatment as directed by a professional dental practitioner.
Over time, teeth are prone to staining and discoloration due to the types of food and beverages that are consumed, the effects of certain medication and inadequate oral hygiene practices. Discoloration is also a part of the natural aging process when the inner part of teeth takes on a darker shade.
DIY teeth whitening vs dentist-recommended plan
Active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are two main ingredients in teeth whitening products that are responsible for the bleached or whitening effect. What should be of interest to patients is their oral health safety when using products containing these ingredients. As there is some risk to their use in higher concentrations, at-home products contain only low levels that make them ineffective to produce aesthetically-pleasing results. Only a dental practitioner is allowed to administer higher concentration levels of hydrogen peroxide which is mainly the reason why professional teeth whitening produce comparatively better results.
A similar case can be made for LED light treatments. These are available in-office as well as used as take-home products. Whitening lamps available at a dental clinic are usually of very good quality in comparison to products that can be used at home which is why the results they produce are of a higher quality.
A great cause for concern when using in-home products is when patients extend application times or apply products more frequently than is advised, thereby damaging tooth enamel. For this and other reasons, cosmetic dentistry is best left in the hands of a qualified dentist.
Aftercare for professional teeth whitening
Once patients have received in-clinic teeth whitening, two of the best ways to enjoy whiter teeth for longer is to avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks as well as not smoking. In addition to this, patients are also recommended to:
- Use a fluoride toothpaste to clean teeth twice every day with one of those times being brushing teeth before bed.
- Limit the consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
- For patients who can’t totally eliminate tea and coffee, rinse with water after consumption.
- Keep regular dental check-up appointments at a dental clinic. The dental practitioner can advise on how often these appointments should be made.
To achieve the desired level of tooth whiteness, a dentist has a number of safe and effective treatments to refer to. These include whitening gels, composite bonding, porcelain veneers, and crowns. Interested in learning more about these teeth whitening procedures or to schedule a consultation, call a dental clinic with the relevant experience in these dental services.