Two Reasons Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments Are Better

Walk down the oral care aisle in any drugstore and you will likely find a host of at-home whitening treatments. While they may advertise similar results as a professional treatment, the bottom line is that they aren't the same. Not only will your result be far less stellar than a professional treatment, there are a number of other issues that you can face with an at-home treatment that are generally avoided when you visit a dentist for the treatment.

Underlying Problems Go Unidentified

When you get your teeth whitened by a dental professional, the whitening treatment is always preceded by an oral exam. While this exam is performed for a number of reasons, one purpose is that it allows the dentist to get a general idea of why your teeth are discolored in the first place. While some staining comes from the foods and beverages you consume or lifestyle habits like smoking, discoloration can occur for a number of other reasons, including an underlying health issue. Certain diseases and infections can cause your teeth to turn yellow.

Unless the underlying condition is treated, any whitening benefit will be short-lived. When you whiten at home, not only will your treatment be less than successful, but the underlying issue will also go unaddressed. A professional whitening offers the best long-term results and is better for your health.

Increased Tooth Sensitivity Risk

Your risk of sensitivity with an at-home treatment is higher than with a professional treatment. At-home treatments are basically like an all-you-can-eat buffet; you get to decide when enough is enough. You can apply an excessive number of treatments, ultimately breaking down your enamel and making your teeth more sensitive. With a professional treatment, the dentist regulates how often whitening treatments are performed to closely examine for enamel breakdown.

Your chances of sensitivity are also higher because you won't necessarily know if treatment is even safe for your teeth. Take someone with a cavity, for example. When you apply whitening chemicals to a tooth with a cavity, these chemicals enter inside the tooth through the cavity opening and eventually make their way to the pulp, where they can cause severe pain and sensitivity. With a professional treatment, the dentist can quickly identify the cavity and postpone the whitening treatment until the cavity is resolved.

When you're ready to get your teeth whitened, make sure you are paying your dental provider a visit. This step won't just make your teeth look better, but it will also better protect your oral health. Contact a clinic like Accent On Dentistry - Rowena R Martir DMD for more info.


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