White teeth offer a ton of benefits. Studies show that people who have white teeth are perceived as being wealthier, more attractive, younger, and having greater earning potential. For these reasons, many people want to know more about their various whitening options. Fortunately, we’ve got answers!
What Are My Whitening Options?
There are three primary whitening options—you can purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) kit, get a professional take-home whitening kit, or come in for chair-side whitening. Each method has its pros and cons.
What Are the Benefits of Professional Whitening?
Professional whitening offers the following benefits:
- Faster Results. When you choose to have chair-side whitening done, you’ll experience immediate results. Meaning, in just one hour, you’ll walk out of our office with teeth that have gone from drab to fab. Think many shades whiter! Even if you choose one of our custom-made take-home kits, you’ll experience faster results than you would with an OTC kit.
- Safer Experience. Not everyone is a good candidate for at-home teeth whitening. For instance, about half of all adults experience gum disease, and many people have sensitive teeth or gums. With professional whitening, Dr. May or Dr. DeWitt May can evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums to offer you whitening treatment that is safe and effective. When you choose professional whitening, you can make sure that existing tooth decay or receding gums aren’t being adversely affected.
- Whiter Teeth. Because a professional solution offers a higher concentration of bleach, this option offers whiter teeth than you would experience with a take-home kit—typically, many shades whiter.
What Are the Advantages of At-Home Whitening?
If you have a hectic schedule and can’t spare an hour in the dentist’s office, at-home whitening may be the way to go. It’s also cheaper if cost is a concern. However, you should only consider this option if your teeth and gums are in good condition. Not sure? Ask us at your next appointment!
Also, as a friendly reminder, you should look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on any kit you buy if you decide to whiten your teeth at home.
Which Whitening Option Would You Recommend for Me?
To answer this question, we really need to see your teeth! As we mentioned previously, not everyone is a good candidate for at-home whitening. For instance, those with periodontal disease or extremely sensitive teeth should definitely see a professional before undergoing whitening.
Likewise, bleaching is not recommended if you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns, caps, or bonding in your front teeth. If you fall into one of those categories, we encourage you to discuss other whitening options with us like porcelain veneers.
To discuss teeth whitening with May Family Dental, please set up a consultation. Scheduling one is easy! We have two locations for your convenience—one in Logan and the other in Zanesville. Simply click here to access our online appointment request form. Alternatively, you can call our Logan office at 740.385.2631 or our Zanesville office at 740.452.5441.