Are you looking to enhance your smile? Everyone wants to feel great about the appearance of their teeth. Fortunately, in modern dentistry, there are a variety of cosmetic options out there that can help you to achieve the smile of your dreams, like teeth whitening. However, you still have a few choices. Many people opt for store-bought whitening kits, but this isn’t usually your best bet. You are much more likely to benefit from a professional whitening kit from your dentist. Read on to learn more about the drawbacks of store bought-whitening kits and how professional teeth whitening in North Andover.

What Are the Disadvantages of Store-Bought Whitening Kits?

Store-bought teeth whitening kits don’t generally deliver the dream results that most people are looking for because the whitening agent isn’t nearly as powerful as the one in professional kits. Here are a few of the ways this type of teeth whitening can harm your smile:

• Harmful for Gum Tissue: Whitening kits that you get from the store can damage your gum tissue because of the peroxides that are used. When you choose whitening strips or a gel tray, you can cause unnecessary contact between your gum tissue and the whitening agent. With professional kits, the trays are customized to fit you perfectly and prevent gum irritation.
• Damaging to Protective Enamel: When they aren’t being used properly, store-bought kits can cause enamel erosion. This is because many of them contain sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide. In the end, this can expose the dentin beneath the enamel of your teeth. This means discoloration, sensitivity, and pain.
• Aggravates Dental Problems: If you have a dental issue, like a cavity or crack, store bought whitening kits can make it worse. The bleaching agent can seep into any crevasses and travel to the root of the tooth. This is incredibly painful and can require a root canal to fix. With professional teeth whitening kits, your dentist will check your teeth first for any dental issues before moving forward.

How Do Professional Take-Home Whitening Kits Work?

In order to achieve safer, more dramatic results, professional take-home whitening kits are recommended. First, your dentist checks your teeth and gums for any existing oral health problems so they can be resolved before proceeding. You will be provided with custom-fit mouth trays and a potent whitening gel to lift stains from your teeth. After wearing the gel-lined tray for a few hours each evening for the next two weeks, you will see your teeth become noticeably whiter!

If you are looking to reduce discoloration, ask your dentist about professional take-home whitening kits. This way, you can achieve beautiful results without all of the risks!

About the Author

Dr. E. Charles Beliveau is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over three decades. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, and SPEAR Education (Faculty Club). He offers both in-office and take-home teeth whitening. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (978) 687-5900.