Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening in Vero Beach, FL
Our smile is our best asset, yet many of us feel self-conscious about our teeth. It’s easy to see why teeth whitening is the single most popular cosmetic dental treatment in the U.S. Thanks to innovations in dentistry, there is now an abundance of over-the-counter whitening products available to help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile in the comfort of your home.
What Stains Can I Expect an Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kit to Remove?
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can remove the same stains as in-office and take-home teeth whitening procedures. You can expect to see the improvement or total removal of stains primarily caused by:
- Tobacco use
- Consumption of certain staining foods and beverages, including coffee, red wine, and dark or strongly colored fruits and vegetables
- Aging. As we get older, our teeth may take on a yellow, grey, green, or brown hue
What Stains Can’t be Removed by Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits?
Unfortunately, some stains are resistant to teeth whitening. These include:
- Teeth that have suffered trauma, causing the dentin inside the tooth to darken
- Teeth affected by fluorosis
- Teeth with inorganic stains
- Teeth that are discolored from any form of internal damage
Are Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits as Successful as In-Office or Take-Home Treatments?
Over-the-counter whitening kits are proven to successfully remove some level of stains and can significantly brighten your teeth. However, they come with a lower dose of bleaching agent, making it safer to use by non-professionals. This also means the results are usually much less effective than take-home or in-office treatments.
Over-the-counter options can include teeth whitening strips, but these are only effective on perfectly straight teeth. If yours are crooked, slanted, or overlapping, the gel may not reach all areas of the enamel. This will result in uneven white patches that look substantially worse than the original discoloration.
Considerations for Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits
Although over-the-counter whitening kits are a widespread and popular cosmetic dental treatment, you should consider some factors.
The results of bleaching cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on external factors, such as your age, lifestyle, and the extent of staining present. It may be necessary to bleach your teeth multiple times to achieve your desired result.
Bleaching of any kind is not a permanent solution, but you can do some things to prolong the results and extend the time between sessions. If you can, avoid nicotine, red wine, and other food containing tannins. Them you should be able to maintain your new brighter smile for longer!
Are Over-the-Counter Whitening Kits Right for Me?
Some patients may not be suitable candidates for at-home teeth whitening. These individuals may include, but are not limited to:
- Patients who have transparent teeth due to the aging process
- Patients who have extensive or intractable staining, as bleaching is unlikely to solve these problems
- Patients who are sensitive to peroxide
- Patients who have ultra-sensitive teeth or gums, which may be irritated by the chemicals used in the whitening process
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Not enough research has been done on the effects of whitening agents on unborn or nursing babies.
If you have any doubts, speak to your dentist, who will advise you of your suitability for teeth whitening.
Types of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits
There are various over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. You should always choose one that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Learn More About the Teeth Whitening Process in Vero Beach, FL
The exact procedure for your teeth whitening process will vary depending on the take-home kit brand’s kit. Typically, they all contain pre-loaded strips or bleaching compounds you can paint onto your teeth and leave for some time. Some varieties include a special light you can shine on your teeth to accelerate the whitening process. Once the allotted bleaching time is complete, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly before assessing your result.
Get in touch with us if you want more information about the teeth whitening process!
