Teeth Whitening Methods and Their Pros and Cons – At Home and Professional Treatments, Part 1

In the age of selfies and social media, teeth whitening treatments are more popular than ever. This makes sense when you consider that our smiles are scrutinized more closely and frequently today than at any other time in human history. Fortunately, modern dentistry and material science provides us with a wealth of options when it comes to teeth whitening, from mouthwashes, to toothpastes, to at-home and professional bleaching regimens. But with so many options for whitening, where do we start? What works, and when is the best time to use it? Let’s take a look at some of the options out there for whitening, and some of their pros and cons.

Teeth whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes

These over the counter products, available at your local grocery or drug store, represent the slowest and often least effective means for whitening. This is because the bleaching agents they employ are more diluted than other treatments. Some of these products have legions of satisfied customers, while others have little or no effect. They are designed to gradually whiten the smile over a period of months or years. However, despite their low concentration of bleaching agents, some people with sensitive teeth or gums may experience discomfort or even pain when using teeth whitening mouthwashes or toothpastes. If you try one of these products and it’s painful, it’s best to set it aside and choose another option that is safer for you. For the majority of patients, these products wont cause any pain.

At-home bleaching treatments for teeth whitening

These treatments represent the next step up in the whitening continuum of force. They employ more highly concentrated bleaching agents than the ones found in whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Check back soon for Teeth Whitening Methods and Their Pros and Cons – At Home and Professional Treatments, Part 2. In the meantime, check out our page on teeth whitening.