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The Difference Between Professional Teeth Whitening vs At-Home Teeth Whitening

Not everyone is blessed with pearly white teeth. Although most of us will take the best care of our teeth, sometimes it isn’t enough. We can brush twice a day, avoid staining foods, quit smoking, and still be presented with gray-looking gnashers. 

It is unusual to see someone with bright white teeth if they haven’t had some kind of help. Usually, you will know when someone has whitened their teeth, as they will look amazing. Teeth whitening is something we can all benefit from. We should all embrace it if we want to unleash pearly whites when we smile. 

If teeth whitening is something you do not know much about but want to, using this guide will unlock everything you need to know. Professional whitening is recommended over at-home kits. It will offer faster and longer-lasting results. 

Here, you can discover what professional whitening is, the differences from at-home kits, and the results you can expect. Let’s dive into professional teeth whitening 101.

What separates professional whitening from at-home kits?

There are some key differences to know about when it comes to professional teeth whitening and at-home whitening. Although you can achieve great results with both, some might prefer the latter option for different reasons. 

In most cases, professional whitening will offer the best results. But that goes without saying. 

Professional teeth whitening 

Professional teeth whitening is non-invasive. It will not hurt you or cause any discomfort. During the appointment, you will probably feel nothing but a cooling sensation due to the chemicals. 

Dentists and teeth whitening pros will use a peroxide-based gel to whiten your teeth. The process will not take long, and after an appointment, you will have your results. The professional will determine the current shade of your teeth before going ahead and discussing how bright you want to go.

The whitening solution isn’t left on for more than an hour and a half. In most cases, it will be left on for anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. If the teeth require more solution, it can be added again for a short time. 

Sometimes, a savvy LED or UV light is used to enhance and speed up the process. The light will sit inside your mouth. But don’t worry; you will hardly notice it. Like we say, you will not feel a thing.

After your appointment, you will take home trays filled with carbamide peroxide-based gel. The expert will take an impression of your teeth and gums so they fit perfectly. This solution is gentler than peroxide itself. It will help you maintain the results. You wear these at night.

At-home whitening kits

Whereas, at-home kits are very different. It is not safe to pursue such an intense treatment yourself. So, it is common to need to whiten your teeth over a matter of weeks. These solutions will likely contain a mix of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. This will perform a slow and gentle teeth whitening process. 

Depending on the type of kit you get, you will need to follow different instructions. Various kits come with various tools. Some will come with a tray, similar to the one you would bring home from your professional appointment. However, they are unlikely to be customized for your teeth, so they might feel uncomfortable to wear. 

These trays are often worn for around 30 minutes every day until you reach your desired results. But don’t be worried if it takes a long time for it to happen. It all depends on the condition and color of your teeth before you begin the process.

Some kits might come with plastic strips. Again, you will use a set of strips every day for 20 to 30 minutes until you reach your desired outcome. 

The differences 

The largest differences between professional whitening and at-home whitening are the intensity, longevity, and speed of the results. Professional whitening will produce faster and longer-lasting results.

If you buy safe and verified at-home kits, you can still be guaranteed results. But it might take some time. 

Plus, it goes without saying that professional whitening will cost you more money. Depending on where you go, it will cost various amounts. At-home kits will be cheaper to buy. But you will require more of them to achieve the same results. So, what option will actually be cheaper? That depends on the professional you use or the quality of the at-home kit you buy.

Who can do professional teeth whitening?

Most people can get professional teeth whitening. Some requirements you must meet include:

  • Being over 18 years old.
  • Having healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist or teeth whitening professional will assess your oral health ahead of the appointment to ensure you are eligible. If you can fix issues to improve your oral health, this can be done ahead of your whitening appointment.
  • Those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Research doesn’t suggest that teeth whitening products can harm a baby. But it is unknown. Hence, it is best to wait until you have finished with your pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
  • Those without dentures, veneers, or crowns will achieve better results. Whitening products will not lighten them. Hence, you might achieve uneven results.

The professional will understand if you are eligible. If you are, you will be able to achieve your results within one appointment and go on your way with a brighter smile.

Is professional whitening dangerous?

In most cases, professional whitening does not pose any danger. If your teeth and gums are healthy, there is no reason anything should happen. There have been no instances when things have gone wrong for those who have good oral health. 

Some implications can arise if you have gum disease. Instead of using the standard whitening solution, an expert can create a specialized formula so that your gums are not impacted during the treatment. The cosmetic procedure should not harm your gums anyway. But it is best to use different solutions to guarantee this.

Although sensitivity isn’t dangerous, it can cause temporary discomfort. Hence, it is good to know that teeth whitening can cause mild sensitivity for a few days. Intense treatments are a shock to the teeth and gums, which is what causes the sensitivity. It isn’t anything to worry about, as many people experience it. You won’t be the only one complaining that the water feels extra cold or that your dinner is too hot. 

The sensitivity will quickly die down, and you will not even remember the feeling. It is best to consume mild drinks and meals on the days that follow your appointment so that you can avoid any sensitivity issues. 

The results you can expect

With both professional whitening and at-home kits, you can expect great results. It is common for people to be happier with their results when they attain professional whitening. The whitening results will be brighter and more even, giving you a celebrity smile without spending thousands.

After you have undergone either type of treatment, it is advised to avoid red wine, smoking, and coffee for a while. These naturally stain your teeth anyway. Hence, they will stain your whitened teeth and ruin your results. If you do choose to drink beverages that can stain your teeth, be sure to use a straw. This will allow the drink to miss your teeth and avoid staining. 

Professional whitening vs at-home whitening

Professional whitening is more popular for people who want faster and brighter results. Experts can, without a doubt, offer better results. They will use the right formula and amount of time during the treatment to help you achieve the results you had in mind. 

It can take some time to achieve the desired results with an at-home kit. Seeing as you will need to use the treatment for some weeks, you will not see results within an hour. It can take some people around a month to see the same level of results. 

Plus, a professional will provide you with a tray to take home that will enhance and maintain results for some time. You might be able to get this with an at-home kit, but the results might be less. 

Hence, you can expect more from professional whitening. You will feel more encouraged to take good care of your teeth to maintain the treatment. This will help you feel more confident with your pearly white smile and reduce the risk of oral health issues. If you desire fast and long-lasting results, it is recommended that you seek a professional whitening treatment. 

Now that you understand how professional whitening works and the benefits of using an expert over at-home kits, you might feel encouraged to try it for yourself. Who wouldn’t want whiter and brighter teeth? You will feel incredible and smile more often. Showing off those amazing teeth is something everyone will envy. You can seek professional teeth whitening with us at Perfect10 Smile. You will be able to consult us with your smile desires, and we can make them come true in no time.