The Benefits of Dentist-Supervised Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments

Woodinville Professional Teeth Whitening Benefits

Mar 21, 2015 — by Cristin Dowd, DDS
Tags: Teeth Whitening Tooth Discoloration Cosmetic Dentistry

A woman smiling in a bright roomDr. Cristin Dowd and Dr. Ken Wu have helped countless patients in and around Woodinville get the smiles of their dreams. Many times this is achieved through profesisonal teeth whitening, which bleaches away dental stains and discoloration.

With so many over-the-counter products available that claim to whiten teeth, patients may wonder why they should visit their dentist for professional whitening. There are many benefits to professional teeth whitening that patients should consider, an issue that we'd like to go over in greater detail right now.

About Teeth Whitening Treatments

Teeth whitening treatments of all kinds work on the same general principle: the enamel layer of the tooth is exposed to a bleaching agent. This bleaching agent does not remove the stain from the tooth but rather bleaches the stained tooth structure itself, making it brighter and whiter in the process.

Types of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products

When it comes to over-the-counter teeth whitening products, the most common forms they come in include the following:

  • Chewing gums and mints
  • Mouthwashes
  • Toothpastes
  • Whitening strips
  • Whitening tray systems

The most effective kinds of whitening products are the strips and the tray systems. The other products offer limited whitening capabilities, particularly the chewing gums and mints.

How Professional Teeth Whitening Works

Professional teeth whitening treatments involve the use of special whitening gels that are applied to the teeth. In many professional whitening systems, the teeth are then exposed to a special laser light that helps unlock the deep-penetrating properties of the whitening gel.

Professional Teeth Whitening Is Faster Than OTC Products

Teeth whitening supervised by a dentist achieves results much faster than even the most advanced strip or tray system. In just a single session, a patient's smile can be lightened by eight shades. For at-home products to achieve these results, it might take weeks or even months.

Professional Teeth Whitening Is Safer Than OTC Products

After undergoing teeth whitening treatments of any kind, it's not uncommon for people to experience tooth sensitivity. This is a normal response given the way that the bleaching gel affects the enamel of the tooth.

While tooth sensitivity is not a major issue and quite manageable, professional care with a dentist allows patients to experience a more comfortable treatment overall with reduced sensitivity. Potential gum irritation from exposure to whitening gel is unlikely as well with professional supervision.

Professional Teeth Whitening Is More Effective Overall Than OTC Products

When a patient has major dental stains or tooth discoloration, a single whitening session will not be enough to address the issue. In these cases, multiple teeth whitening sessions can be performed in order to improve the appearance of the smile. These additional sessions will be spaced a week or so apart, allowing for maximum effectiveness. The same results simply cannot be achieved through the use of over-the-counter whitening products.

Schedule a Consultation at Signature Smiles

For more information about teeth whitening and how it can help you have a beautiful smile, it's important that you contact our family dental care center today. Dr. Cristin Dowd and Dr. Ken Wu look forward to your visit and will help you achieve all of your dental health and smile aesthetics goals.

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