You take one last glance in the mirror, satisfied with how you look for the day. You give yourself a confident smile before you walk away, but something catches your eye.
Your teeth are looking a little dingy. They’re not as white and sparkly as they used to be.
You have two options: Over-the-counter tooth whitening products (OTC) or professional teeth whitening in West Covina. Which should you choose?
As you’d probably expect, your West Covina dentist recommends professional options. Let us explain why.
The main reasons people choose OTC is convenience and price.
With over-the-counter options, you don’t need to make an appointment with a West Covina dentist. Just drive to your local pharmacy or grocery store, and you can find what you need, including whitening:
Store-bought products are also cheaper, at least initially. In-office whitening can cost $100-$300, depending on the type of treatment you get. OTC options are a fraction of that.
Professional teeth whitening can fall into two categories: In-office or at-home.
This is the fastest option. During this appointment, we’ll isolate your teeth before placing a whitening gel on them. Then, we’ll shine ultraviolet light onto the teeth (which activates the gel) for 15 minutes. We repeat this process three times. Overall, the process takes about 45 minutes, and your appointment will last about an hour.
Another option is at-home whitening. We start by fabricating custom whitening trays. Your West Covina dentist will send them home with you, along with a professional whitening system. The system includes whitening gel, instructions, a shade guide to gauge your progress, and possibly a desensitizing gel.
Depending on your dentist’s instructions, you’ll place gel inside the trays and wear them once a day for 15 to 60 minutes.
The whitening gel comes in a variety of strengths. Lower strengths are ideal for patients who have a history of or are worried about tooth sensitivity. Higher-strength gels are perfect for patients who want to see results more quickly.
Since OTC whitening options are convenient and cheap, why choose to getwhitening services from your West Covina dentist? Here are a few reasons.
Depending on which professional option you choose, you can see results within a few days or even an hour. OTC products can take weeks to work, or in the case of whitening toothpastes, you can wait for months before you get the results you want.
Over-the-counter products are a one-size-fits-all solution for teeth whitening – and that’s not necessarily a good thing. There really is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to oral healthcare.
Each patient is unique and has different needs, desires, and goals. Additionally, every patient has differing sensitivity levels. Some have zero sensitivity, while others struggle withchronic sensitivity. Another difference is the type and amount of restorations (fillings, crowns, etc.) that a patient has or needs.
Your West Covina dentist considers all of these and creates a treatment plan accordingly. You can be sure that the recommendations you get will be unique to you and address all your dental needs.
Typically, OTC whitening products only brighten your shade a little bit. If you want to see significant results, choose professional teeth whitening in West Covina. In-person teeth whitening can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in only one session.
Over-the-counter whitening products aren’t professional-grade. Therefore, your results won’t last nearly as long as those you get from using products recommended by yourWest Covina dentist.
Often, the results of OTC products last a few weeks but start to diminish quickly, especially if you consume foods and beverages that stain.
Professional products, on the other hand, can give you whitening results for at least six months – sometimes longer if you reduce your intake of foods like:
Some patients haven’t needed a whitening touch-up in over three years! You just can’t get these kinds of results from store-bought whitening products.
Because professional products provide faster, longer-lasting results, you don’t need to invest in them as often. With OTC options, you’ll need to restock regularly, which means you’ll end up paying more over time.
Your Dentist of West Covina team is highly trained in cosmetic dental procedures, including teeth whitening. They will monitor your progress, ensuring you are safely getting the results you want.
OTC products can’t promise anything like this, which can make them harmful in some cases. It’s easy for some people to misunderstand instructions and misuse or overuse the products, which can damage their teeth and gums.
When you receive an in-office whitening treatment, you can be sure that your dental team is safely performing the procedure. We can ensure your safety and success even if you choose the at-home whitening option. When you receive your whitening trays, we’ll carefully review how to use them, even providing you with a demonstration so you can feel confident using them.
Misusing oroverusing whitening products can result in tooth sensitivity. It can also damage your gums as the whitening solution can burn the tissue, causing it to slough off. If this happens, your gums will be very sensitive, if not painful. We don’t want you to experience this and will do all we can to help you use the products in a safe yet effective manner.
Research shows that dental health and aesthetics can significantlyimpact your self-confidence, so we are proponents of cosmetic treatments.
However, we know that certain procedures – like dental implants, veneers, or orthodontics – are out of the question for some patients. Thankfully, you can improve your dental aesthetics with professional teeth whitening, which offers a lower cost and faster results than other cosmetic options.
Your West Covina dentist wants you to feel great about yourself, and we know that dental services like tooth whitening can help. Schedule a consultation today or talk with your dentist at your next appointment to discuss the benefits of teeth whitening.
Are you ready for a brighter smile? Contact us toschedule an appointment for professional teeth whitening in West Covina.
CALL (626) 605-6601
OR
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT NOW!
