Is Home Teeth Whitening As Effective As In-Office Whitening?

Americans reportedly spend millions annually on over-the-counter (OTC) tooth whitening products to bleach away the effects of coffee, cigarettes, red wine, tea, and discolored teeth with aging. Dental discoloration can even affect men and women with good oral hygiene habits and who visit their dentist regularly. When considering whitening options, people often think of drugstore options as a way to save money or have the convenience of an at-home whitening solution, but do they work? Here is a more in-depth look at professional tooth whitening vs. OTC tooth whitening options from our dental experts at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA, so that you can achieve a brighter, whiter smile.

Why do teeth turn yellow or become discolored?

Are yellowed, discolored, or stained teeth keeping you from a bright smile? As tooth enamel wears away from exposure to acids from food and drink, our teeth ultimately become discolored or turn yellow with age. There are two types of tooth discoloration:

• Extrinsic color due to deposits on the teeth from coffee, smoking, or other external factors
• Intrinsic, which is a natural color to the tooth enamel that changes with age

Tooth whitening at home is an alternative option to professional teeth whitening at the dentist. Typically, OTC tooth whitening products cost less while offering the convenience of doing it yourself at home. However, are these local grocery stores or drugstore options effective? Most over-the-counter kits have lower hydrogen peroxide concentrations, the bleaching component found in brush-on whiteners or whitening strips. These kits will lighten teeth but are limited on what they can do, and in the long run, you may end up spending more money and time buying drugstore options. Professional tooth whitening provides a higher concentration of the bleaching effect, so patients have faster, better, longer-lasting results.

Does cosmetic dentistry offer safer, longer-lasting whitening results?

When looking for effective treatment solutions from a local tooth whitening dentist, our LANCO Dental Care team will closely monitor each patient's tooth whitening process. For many patients in Lancaster, PA, the idea of an attractive smile is synonymous with white, bright teeth. Professional tooth whitening can create the appearance of a more youthful, brilliant grin with this simple cosmetic treatment. LANCO Dental Care is a progressive dental practice that offers professional-strength tooth whitening options that can achieve fantastic results at home. We provide Opalescence GO™ and poladay whitening kits customized by our experienced team to meet individual's aesthetic goals and needs for optimal results.

Tooth whitening at home with LANCO Dental Care

At LANCO Dental Care, we are pleased to offer two different types of at-home whitening options, including poladay (custom whitening trays with syringes of prescription-strength whitening solutions) and Opalescence Go (preloaded disposable trays). During your one-on-one consultation, we will discuss your aesthetic goals and determine the right option for you. We also evaluate your dental health and teeth to select the ideal whitening formula and strength. When it comes to in-office whitening vs. OTC tooth whitening products, you can have the best of both worlds. At LANCO Dental Group, our skilled dental team will create a professional whitening solution you can do from the convenience of your own home.

Many patients opt for professional tooth whitening solutions after trying several OTC whitening products and finding them ineffective, inconvenient, messy, and uncomfortable. To maintain your results, LANCO Dental Care recommends regular dental cleanings, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding drinks or foods that may stain, and having a consistent oral hygiene routine at home. If you want a more attractive, whiter smile, contact our Lancaster, PA location and schedule a consultation today.