Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Do Home Whitening Kits Work?

Saturday, September 07, 2013

You have been thinking about whitening your teeth and, with all the whitening treatments available, trying to figure out if home whitening might work for you.

Many people now choose to bypass professional whitening treatments with their dentists to rid themselves of any stains or imperfections and try a DIY approach. Although many home whitening kits, gels, and strips, are safe to use, they are not the always the best option.

Let’s take a look at the most important things to know before using a DIY whitening treatment.

Gum disease or sensitivity? Then at-home whitening treatments are not a good choice. Only use an at-home treatment if you already have relatively good dental health. If you have dental issues such as receding gums, cavities, or sensitive oral tissue, these issues can be aggravated by using a bleaching treatment.
Dental Work? If you have veneers or crowns in the front of your mouth, remember that they will not bleach!
What time of staining do you have? Only a dental professional can tell you if the type of staining you have will react well to bleaching.
Read the labels carefully. Many DIY whitening treatments contain high amounts of bleach and peroxide. High concentrations of these chemicals cause irritation to the gums and can erode tooth enamel. These chemicals are most commonly found in inexpensive whitening treatments, so it is important to buy a product from a reputable company or brand that you trust.
Choose strips, not trays. Many home whitening kits come with dental trays that do not adhere poorly to your teeth. The chemical solution can easily leak out of these trays, and into your mouth. Swallowing bleach or peroxide can be extremely hazardous to your health, not to mention damaging to your mouth. This same warning goes for the "bleaching" kiosks at the mall! Using dental whitening strips, which adhere to the teeth more firmly to the teeth, are usually a better option than a whitening tray.
Do not use if you are pregnant. It is almost always inevitable that the some chemicals in the kits will be swallowed during use, and these chemicals can be extremely dangerous and cause unknown risks to the fetus.
'Old fashioned treatments' are still effective. Perhaps the safest way to whiten your teeth at home is simply by brushing. Most toothpastes now contain whitening agents, which buff away surface stains, leaving your teeth white and smooth.

Home whitening treatments can be effective for some types of staining. However, the safest way to obtain a vibrant, stain-free smile is to have a whitening treatment done by your dentist. Whether you opt for custom whitening trays to use at home or Zoom! one hour whitening, your smile will be more youthful and bright.