Destin Dental Clinic

Teeth Whitening Options: Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Products

Destin teeth whitening dentistAt Lazenby Dental, located in beautiful Destin, Florida, we are committed to helping our patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. One of the most common concerns we hear from our patients is about teeth discoloration. Whether caused by diet, lifestyle, or the natural aging process, stained or yellowing teeth can impact your self-esteem. Fortunately, teeth whitening treatments can help restore your smile’s brightness. But with so many options available, how do you decide between professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter products?

We take pride in offering our professional care for all dental needs, including teeth whitening procedures, to patients from Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and the 30A region.

Why Do Teeth Get Stained?

It’s helpful to know why teeth get stained in the first place before looking into teeth whitening options. Typical reasons for discolored teeth include:

Diet: Over time, certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and some fruits (like berries), can cause stains on the enamel.
Use of Tobacco: One of the main causes of yellowing teeth is smoking or chewing tobacco.
Aging: As we get older, the enamel on our teeth erodes and reveals the dentin’s original yellow hue.
Drugs: Antibiotics and antihistamines are two examples of drugs that can cause intrinsic staining.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Plaque and stain-causing agents can accumulate on teeth due to insufficient brushing and flossing.
Although discoloration can be annoying, you can get your smile back to its original brightness with a variety of whitening procedures.

Coffee and Tea:  Sorry to say, everyone’s favorite drinks are not best for their teeth, so be careful.

Products for Over-the-Counter Whitening

OTC teeth whitening products are widely accessible and appealing because of their convenience and affordability. These products are available almost anywhere, including grocery and drugstores. They are usually available as whitening mouth rinses, toothpaste, gels, and strips.

Different Types of Over-the-Counter Items

Whitening Toothpaste: One of the most popular and reasonably priced whitening products is toothpaste. It works by removing surface stains from teeth with a mild abrasive. Certain brands might also have trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents.

Whitening Strips: A layer of whitening gel containing peroxide is applied to thin, flexible plastic strips to create whitening strips. After using them consistently for one to two weeks, you can usually see results. You apply them directly to your teeth for a predetermined amount of time each day (usually 30 minutes to an hour).

Pens and Whitening Gels: Although whitening pens provide a more portable option, whitening gels are applied directly to the teeth and come in tiny tubes. Typically, both products have bleaching agents based on peroxide. They must be applied every day for a few days to a few weeks, just like strips.

Whitening Rinses: In the over-the-counter market, whitening mouth rinses are comparatively new. They function similarly to conventional mouthwash but with added whitening ingredients. Due to the short time of contact with teeth, the whitening effect might be less than with other options.

Advantages of Over-the-Counter Items

Affordability: Over-the-Counter (OTC) products are typically less expensive than medical treatments.
Convenience: No appointment is needed and these products are simple to use at home.
Availability: Over-the-Counter (OTC) products can be easily found online or at most pharmacies.

Drawbacks of Over-the-Counter Items

Limited Effectiveness: Compared to professional treatments, the majority of over-the-counter products have lower concentrations of whitening agents. Consequently, they might not offer the same degree of whitening, particularly for deeply ingrained or difficult stains.
Uneven Results: The whitening may be uneven because over-the-counter products are not customized to fit your teeth. Your teeth may not whiten as well in areas that are not in direct contact with the product.
Lengthier Treatment Period: OTC products usually need to be used consistently for a longer amount of time (often weeks) in order to show results.
Tooth Sensitivity: Excessive use of whitening strips or gels may result in gum irritation or tooth sensitivity.

Whitening teeth professionally at Lazenby Dental

Our expert teeth whitening procedures at Lazenby Dental are made to produce outcomes that are long-lasting, secure, and efficient. Our whitening procedures are customized to meet the individual needs of every patient, guaranteeing a pleasant and successful outcome.

Professional Whitening Types

One of the most potent and successful whitening options is in-office whitening. A dentist will perform this treatment, which yields noticeable results in just one visit and uses a high-concentration bleaching agent. At Lazenby Dental, we take great care to safeguard your soft tissues and gums throughout the process to make sure you feel safe and at ease.

Take-Home Whitening Kits: We provide personalized take-home whitening kits for patients who would rather whiten their teeth at home. These kits come with a professional-grade whitening gel and specially made trays that fit your teeth precisely. The trays guarantee uniform gel application, yielding superior outcomes compared to over-the-counter products. Results usually appear in a few days when you wear the trays for the prescribed period of time each day.

Advantages of Expert Whitening Quicker, More Visible Results: Depending on the option you select, professional whitening treatments can lighten your teeth several shades in a single visit or over a few days.
Tailored Care: With professional whitening, your course of treatment is tailored to your specific requirements, guaranteeing more consistent and even outcomes.
Safe and Comfortable: To reduce sensitivity and discomfort, your dentist will take precautions to safeguard your soft tissues, including your gums.
Long-Lasting Results: Compared to over-the-counter products, professional whitening procedures typically yield results that last longer.
Cons of Hiring a Professional Whitener: Although professional treatments can be more costly than over-the-counter remedies, many patients feel that the benefits outweigh the cost.
Time Commitment: Patients with hectic schedules may find it difficult to attend in-office treatments because they necessitate a trip to the dentist. Take-home kits, however, provide a more adaptable choice.

Which Suggested Course of Action?

Your unique needs and objectives will determine whether you use over-the-counter or professional whitening products. Lazenby Dental’s professional teeth whitening could be your best bet if you’re searching for quick, noticeable results and a secure, personalized procedure. While our take-home kits provide the convenience of whitening at your own pace with better results than over-the-counter options, our in-office treatments can yield results right away.

Alternatively, over-the-counter (OTC) products might work well if you have minor surface stains and are looking for a less expensive option. But keep in mind that these products usually don’t produce as noticeable of results as professional treatments, so set reasonable expectations.

Our goal at Lazenby Dental is to assist each patient in achieving the best possible smiles. We are here to help and offer professional care whether you decide to use an over-the-counter product or a professional teeth whitening procedure. Our professional whitening options provide a significant advantage over over-the-counter products for those looking for quick, safe, and effective results.

Make an appointment for your consultation with Lazenby Dental as soon as you’re ready to brighten your smile.  So, If you are in the DestinMiramar BeachSanta Rosa Beach30A or Fort Walton Beach Areas then come see us for your dental needs. Give us a chance to make your smile more radiant and self-assured!

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