A stunning white smile is often attributed to youth, success, confidence, and intelligence; however, tooth discoloration is a common complaint among adults. Teeth naturally come in a variety of colors and shades. Their color is also affected by various factors, like age, poor oral hygiene, and smoking. No matter the culprit behind your stained teeth, you have more options than ever to turn back the clock to reveal a brighter smile. You know you could visit your cosmetic dentist for a whitening treatment, but why waste the money when there’s an abundance of OTC products? While store-bought kits are convenient, you’ll get what you pay for when it comes to teeth whitening. Here’s what you need to know to get the results you want.
OTC Products VS Take-Home Whitening Kits
You can find a variety of OTC whitening products. From strips and gels to mouthwashes and toothpaste, each product claims to provide significant improvement in the appearance of stains and discoloration. If you’ve ever used any of the products, you know firsthand their claims rarely meet expectations. Although they are convenient, OTC kits don’t contain professional-grade whitening agents. Therefore, they can’t penetrate the enamel. Any improvement will be minimal and won’t last. This can quickly lead to overusing the products to reach your goals, which can permanently damage your smile.
Safest Solution for a Whiter Smile
Although you’re trying to save money, OTC whitening products cost more in the long run. They can turn into an ongoing purchase to keep your smile bright, but that’s not the only risk. You may have untreated dental issues that can be aggravated or worsened by the ingredients in the products. In your effort to combat tooth discoloration, it can lead to a dental emergency if you aren’t careful.
Visiting a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening is a wise choice for both your smile and wallet. You’ll be under the supervision of a dental professional to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy before using any whitening treatments. They’ll create a personalized strategy to revamp your smile safely using professional-strength whitening agents.
Best Results for a Brighter Smile
OTC kits are convenient, but you can be dissatisfied with the outcome. Since they don’t contain professional-strength whitening agents, any improvement will be minimal. Your results can also be inconsistent because any trays or aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth.
You can achieve in-office results from the comfort of your own home. A take-home kit from your dentist allows you to enjoy the convenience of an OTC product with results that can last for months to years with the right maintenance.
Get a Beautiful Smile Today
Your cosmetic dentist will give you everything you need to get your teeth up to 8 shades whiter over a period of 2 weeks. You’ll be given custom-fit aligners to ensure the even distribution of the highly concentrated whitening agent for consistent results. As each day passes, you’ll see your teeth becoming noticeably whiter.
Stop wasting money on ineffective whitening products. Achieve the dazzling smile you desire with the help of your cosmetic dentist.
About Dr. Kevin Labosky
Dr. Labosky earned his dental degree from the Temple University School of Dentistry, and he completes extensive continuing education annually to provide advanced services, like cosmetic dentistry. If you’re interested in a dramatically brighter smile, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
