What Is the Best Way To Get Whiter Brighter Teeth?

There has now been time to see the results of over-the-counter whitening products as well as whitening performed by a dentist. Here are some views on the two methods:

Certainly over-the-counter products are less expensive because the cost of the products is the only expense. They must be administered over a longer period of time because the potency of the whitening substance is not as great as the prescription version used by the dentist. One should not expect the teeth will ever be as white as with the dentist method.

A problem has been identified with the manner in which the whitening strips are applied. There have been some complaints that the whitening substance has gotten onto the gums causing some irritation and tenderness.

There seems to be uniform agreement that the over-the-counter method works best when teeth are absolutely straight. Any teeth that are turned slightly tend to remain darker in color on the outer edges where the whitening strips seem to bridge over.

The advantages of the whitening done by your dentist overcome the above problems in several ways. First, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth and then makes a reverse model that fits closely over them. The whitening fluid is poured into this mold and the mold is then placed over the teeth so that all sides of the teeth are subjected to the same whitening process.

Because the fluid used by the dentist is more potent than the over-the-counter type, the whitening process takes far less time.

Another benefit is that the whitening is done only after a dentist has conducted an examination to identify periodontal disease or other conditions that would make whitening unwise.

In any case the teeth will be whiter and more evenly so when the treatment is done by a dental professional.

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