Professional teeth whitening has continued to gain popularity in recent years. As more and more people realize the power of a smile, not to mention its health benefits, it stands to reason that they’d want that smile to be white and bright.

Thankfully, there are various ways to accomplish whiter teeth, but not all of those ways are the same. So if you are thinking about tooth bleaching, make sure to do your homework to understand the benefits of professional teeth whitening vs.at-home whitening treatments and vice versa.

What You Should Know if You Are Considering Professional Teeth Whitening

Many modern dentists offer two options for patients interested in teeth whitening. Those options are professional in-office whitening and at-home whitening trays. Both options will provide patients with a brighter and whiter smile than what can be achieved with an at-home kit purchased through your local convenience store.

Millennium Dental is pleased to offer both options: the Zoom! in-office tooth whitening system as well as trays Dr. Harrison will prescribe for you. And if you are interested in dental veneers to help reshape or brighten your front teeth, Millennium Dental can help with that too.

So now that you know the two main types of teeth whitening solutions offered by Millennium Dental, let’s make sure you’re up on the other six things to know before choosing professional teeth whitening.

1. Teeth whitening is safe.

Many patients ask us about the safety and efficacy of professional whitening treatments. When you get your teeth whitened by Dr. Harrison, you can rest assured that you are in good hands with a safe treatment, and we will closely monitor your progress every step of the way.

2. Teeth whitening is fast – you can have whiter teeth as soon as tomorrow.

When you select in-office whitening via the Zoom! system, your teeth can be whiter with just one treatment. Not only that, but depending on the severity of your tooth discoloration, you can experience an improvement of up to eight shades – in just one visit. If you select the at-home trays, you can still experience three to six shades of improvement, but you will need to dedicate some time to that at-home treatment every day for a few weeks.

3. Teeth whitening is more cost-effective than you might realize.

It’s true that professional teeth whitening isn’t cheap. However, it is far more cost-effective than you might realize. When you purchase treatments from your local convenience store, you are likely going to pay $50 or more per kit. And since these kits aren’t custom-created for you by a dental professional, they will not have as strong of a bleaching agent than what you can get from your dentist. So, you will need to invest time and additional money over time to achieve the results that you want. With professional whitening, whether it be in-office or at home, you will experience better results in less time.

4. Professional teeth whitening results will last.

Though results will vary based on the condition of your teeth and the severity of staining, you can anticipate that your teeth will retain their new whiteness and brightness for 12 to 24 months. You, however, play a vital role in how long those results will last with some simple lifestyle choices.

Avoiding drinks that cause staining can really help improve your results. So try to limit your consumption of coffee, caramel-colored soda, black tea, and red wine. And, if you find that you need to continue the enjoyment of these beverages, use a straw wherever possible to limit the contact of the beverage with your teeth.

5. Your newly whitened teeth are easy to care for.

We can’t stress this enough to our patients and readers. The best way to take care of your teeth is to practice a solid oral hygiene routine at home. Not only will this help you keep your whitened teeth white, but it will also help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Every day, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes at a time.

The best times to brush your teeth are after breakfast and before you go to bed. Also, be sure to floss between all of your teeth at least once per day to help loosen food particles that might have lodged themselves between your teeth during the day. Finally, rinse at least once per day with a fluoridated mouthwash to help rinse those food particles and dark-colored beverages away.

6. Side effects of tooth whitening are minimal.

When you select the Zoom! in-office tooth whitening system or trays prescribed specifically to you by your dentist, you should be prepared for potential side effects. Though the majority of patients do not experience any side effects, some patients do experience sensitivity to hot or cold, tingling sensations, and a bit of irritation or inflammation. Dr. Harrison can provide you with toothpaste to help with your sensitivity, along with recommendations on how to lessen inflammation and irritation.

Contact Millennium Dental today for more information on professional tooth whitening!

If your smile calls for a smile makeover, professional teeth whitening might be the best place to start. Request an appointment with Millennium Dental if you live or work near Plano, Texas, and our team will be sure to answer any questions you might have. Before you know it, you too can have the bright white smile you have always dreamed of.