Pros & Cons of Professional Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a popular procedure in most dental offices all over the world. This article will inform you of the pros and cons of professional tooth whitening.

Professional tooth whitening is done in the dentist office by a professional. It is the fastest way to achieve the best results. You will notice a dramatic difference even after the first visit!

Tooth discolorations can be caused by many factors. From smoking to not brushing to certain medications. There are two types of tooth discolorations. Intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic tooth discoloration is caused by trauma or medications. Extrinsic is caused by smoking, wine and other foods and beverages such as coffee that can easily stain the teeth over time. The type of tooth whitening procedure you get will depend on which kind of discoloration you have.

In office tooth whitening involves the use of powerful "bleaching" agents containing peroxide. These are powerful chemicals used for tooth whitening and are only available to be used by a dentist. The dentist will typically make custom trays and then filled these with the chemicals. They will then be worn in the office for 20-30 minutes at a time. More stubborn discolorations may take additional applications. if you are like me and want instant results this might be worthwhile over home kits.

The following are a list of pros and cons of professional tooth whitening;

Pros

Easy- This is the fastest way to white teeth! Leave it to the professionals for the best results!

Readily available - Mostly all dental offices do this procedure so it is very widely available.

Effective - Professional in office whitening can dramatically change your smile. Especially if you love wine and tobacco and other stain causing foods.

Cons

Expensive - Professional in office tooth whitening is expensive. it general costs around $650 and up per visit. You may or may not choose to do additional visits depending on your results. There are no guarantees but you will have whiter teeth!

Requires maintenance - In office professional tooth whitening will require touch up visits to maintain your bright smile. This again is expensive and should be considered when making a decision on what type of tooth whitening procedure you will want done.

Gum and tooth pain - Some people are more sensitive than others. Since tooth whitening involves the use of chemicals you may experience gum irritation and tooth pain. Some sensitive people have also reported canker sores developing after the whitening process.

Before choosing professional tooth whitening services you will want to consult with a couple of dentists and get all your options up front. Overall tooth whitening is a generally safe procedure under the supervision of a dentist.