They can change the color of your teeth faster than at-home methods. Factors that affect the color of teeth are controllable and uncontrollable, so sometimes DIY teeth whitening isn’t enough.

Professional teeth whitening by a dentist is safe, quick, and cost-effective. The best way to whiten teeth depends on the individual case.

What is the best for teeth whitening?

Everyone wants a brighter smile, but not everyone knows how to get one. Because there are many different ways to whiten your teeth, the choices can feel confusing.

It may help to know that there are two basic categories of teeth whitening options. Some patients get professional teeth whitening from a trusted dentist, while others prefer over-the-counter tooth whitening at home.

It’s no surprise that professional teeth whitening is so popular because it’s effective and inexpensive to improve a smile’s look drastically.

If you are trying to decide between cosmetic dentistry and at-home tooth whitening, we encourage you to reach out for a consultation at our clinic.

Evergreen Dental provides effective solutions to tea and coffee stains, yellow teeth, and similar issues in Budapest.

Our dentists can help you better understand the advantages of each method so you can get the best results. 

Walk into any convenience store or pharmacy and you’ll probably find dozens of teeth whitening products on the shelves. From whitening strips and toothpastes, to LED light kits or other teeth whitening kits, there are now hundreds of whitening products on the market claiming to give you that pristine smile like you just came from the dentist’s office.

Unfortunately, over-the-counter products just simply aren’t as powerful or effective as in-office treatments, and some can even end up causing damage to your teeth.

Though our teeth are mostly white overall, tooth enamel can be many shades and can become discolored or stained over time. Teeth may be discolored for a variety of reasons – some in your control and others as a result of injury or illness. 

How do over-the-counter teeth-whitening products compare to professional teeth-whitening options? Is it worth the extra cost to visit the dentist?

How does teeth whitening work?

Teeth whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These ingredients work to break stains into smaller pieces and reduce the concentration of color, in turn making your teeth brighter.

What is the best teeth whitening?

The best teeth whitening method for you depends on your ideal shade, time, and budget. There are several main differences between at-home and professional teeth whitening, but the best course of action depends on the results you’re looking to achieve and your overall oral health. 

The benefits of in-office whitening include:

Completed under a dentist’s supervision
Quick and takes about 1 hour
Has the ability to whiten teeth by several shades in 1 treatment

The process of teeth whitening

Your dentist will apply a protective gel to your lips and gums, followed by whitening gel on your teeth. Then they will use a special LED light to create a photochemical reaction which penetrates the teeth to lift deep stains quickly.

The treatment length will depend on how deep or extensive the stains are – sometimes a few hours. This may be uncomfortable, as your mouth will be open for a long time, but you will see immediate results afterwards.

The benefits of take-home whitening trays include:

Can conveniently do it at home in private
Slowly whitens teeth and can perform touch-ups when needed
Costs less than an in-office professional whitening treatment

The downside to doing your whitening at home is the risk of gum and tooth sensitivity if the instructions aren’t followed correctly.

It’s important to note that DIY whitening isn’t as strong as in-office whitening, which is why it takes much longer to see the desired result.

At-home whitening kits can be purchased from your dentist or over the counter. There are many kinds of kits including whitening strips, trays, lights, rinses, and brushes.

They usually contain peroxide, which works below the surface to lighten tooth enamel and is used regularly over days or weeks. 

Home-based solutions remove surface stains by using abrasion or through a chemical reaction. Some contain silica that works by polishing the enamel.

Others may contain peroxide which breaks down the carbon bonds that cause yellow stains through a chemical reaction. Once they are broken down, the yellow stains are less prominent, making the teeth appear whiter.

One of the bigger hazards of at-home whitening kits is the risk of the bleaching agent leaking onto your gums. This can cause sensitivity, pain or even damage to your gum tissue.

When you have your teeth whitened at our office, our doctor is able to carefully cover your gums with protection and prevent any of the bleaching agents from touching them during your treatment.  

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