Teeth whitening is uncomplicated if you have healthy teeth that are clean and free of restorations. But few of us live up to that ideal. If your teeth are less than ideal, then picking the best method for you may be a bit more complicated.

Cosmetic dentist James M. Wright in Salt Lake City offers teeth whitening tailored to your needs. Whether you have deep-seated stains or concerns about sensitive teeth, he can recommend a teeth whitening program that will help you. And, whatever treatment you choose, whether over-the-counter or in-office, Dr. Wright can determine if your teeth are healthy enough for whitening treatment.

Having a dental exam before any teeth whitening is important. An undetected cavity or loose filling can let whitener seep into a tooth, causing extreme pain and damaging the tooth’s nerve. That could lead to unexpected dental treatments.

Teeth whitening is basically the application of a whitening agent to teeth. Dentists offer in-office treatments using professional-strength whitening agents. Extra steps are taken to protect gums and some treatments use a special light to promote whitening. Dentists also offer at-home treatments that feature trays made from a mold of your teeth. A custom tray ensures precise contact of the whitening agent with your teeth and less chance of it leaking onto your gums, causing irritation.

Over the counter methods include strips with a whitening agent that can be applied to your teeth or generic trays that hold the whitener. At-home treatments use a whitener that is less concentrated so it will take longer to achieve the desired whitening.

Over-The-Counter vs. Dentist Supervised

• Bleaching agent. Professionally applied teeth whitening products have a higher concentration of bleaching agent than products for home use.
• Trays. Trays provided by your dentist are created by taking an impression of your teeth, which captures each indentation or twist of a tooth. This exact fit ensures the whitening agent maintains maximum contact. Over-the-counter trays are generic “one size fits all,” which means they don’t fit anyone exactly. This reduces the effectiveness of the whitening agent and a poor fit also increases the likelihood that the whitener will seep onto the gums, causing irritation.
• Protection Methods. During an in-office treatment, your dentist will apply a gel to your gums or use a rubber shield to protect your gums from the whitening agent.
• Speed. In-office whitening is the quickest way to whiten teeth. Depending on your teeth, a dentist can whiten your teeth as much as eight shades lighter in an hour. Over-the-counter treatments may require wearing a tray for a couple of hours a day or all night for up to four weeks or longer. The speed of any treatment depends on how much discoloration you have and your desired level of whitening. 
• Cost. The cheapest whitening treatment is the over-the-counter process. The most expensive is in-office whitening.
• Supervision. With over-the-counter products, you are on your own. If you have ideal teeth, that may not be a problem. But if you have gum or tooth sensitivities or other problems, a dentist can adjust treatments to your comfort level, ensuring the most whitening with the fewest side effects.

Your First Step

No one option is right for everyone. No matter which method you choose, have your teeth checked first to ensure you get the safest and best results. Please call today for an appointment.