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In-Office vs. At-Home Whitening


Most people strive for a healthy looking smile filled with pearly white teeth. But this dream can be taken away when we drink things that can stain our teeth, like coffee, or even through normal eating habits that can cause microscopic cracks in the top layer of our teeth. These cracks let in debris and cause stains to worsen, leaving us with the all too familiar sight of a discolored smile.

Many solutions have been created to help whiten teeth. Two of these are in-office whitening versus at-home treatments that can be bought over the counter.

People believe in-office treatments to be more expensive and less flexible because you have to make appointments, so many people take teeth whitening into their own hands. This can be done through a variety of over-the-counter treatments, such as whitening toothpaste, mouthwashes and hydrogen-peroxide gel strips. These at-home treatments typically need to be kept up with on a daily basis in order to achieve desired results. Many people find this option appealing due to their low price and ability to choose when they use the products. But, most dentists agree that in regards to teeth whitening, you get what you pay for.

By this we mean, although the price of at-home whitening may seem appealing, you lose out on the benefits of having a certified and trained dentist whitening your teeth in an office. For one, a dentist will be able to tell you if you have any dental problems prior to receiving a teeth whitening treatment because it is standard practice to perform an exam on the patient to look for any non-visible issues. This is important because say, for example, you were beginning to have early onset gum disease, the dentist would be able to see it and prevent you from experiencing intense pain that teeth whitening can cause if you have any pre-existing issues.

In addition to this, when a dentist is completing the whitening of your teeth in an office, they can oversee the amount of hydrogen-based solution that can go on to your teeth at a time. We mention this because at-home whitening treatments have low amounts of chemicals in them to minimize the risks of a non-trained person attempting to whiten their teeth themselves. However, when a dentist is monitoring your teeth whitening, you’re able to have a more beneficial treatment that is proven to be higher quality and last longer. It is also much simpler and safer to go in the office for one visit rather than having to use a concoction of different over-the-counter treatments daily.

Although you do need to make an appointment in order to have a professional whiten your teeth, scheduling one has never been easier at Lake City Dental. We guarantee to give you a quality teeth whitening experience that leaves you feeling satisfied and more confident about your smile. Give us a call at (386) 752-8531 so that we can set up an appointment and talk to you personally about your teeth whitening opportunities.


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