Companies have latched onto the fact that consumers want whiter, brighter teeth in the most convenient way possible. These days, you can’t walk down the aisles of a supermarket without being hit in the face with advertisements for whitening toothpaste, mouthwashes, strips, gels, chewing gum, and more.
At Biggers Family Dentistry, we want to help you cut through the clutter and reveal the truth about over-the-counter whitening systems. In no time at all, you’ll understand why you’re much better off coming to our office to achieve a whiter, brighter smile.
Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits
Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly used dental procedures. It’s not too surprising that so many people turn to over-the-counter whitening treatments, thinking they’re cutting costs and saving time. But is that really the case? Do over-the-counter teeth whitening systems really save you time and money or are they a total waste?
There’s a surprising number of OTC teeth whitening products on the market these days.
Whitening Toothpaste
Considering it’s a product we already use every day, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that toothpaste is one of the most popular teeth whitening products.
Toothpaste, no matter what kind, helps to remove surface stains because of the mild abrasives it contains. Some whitening toothpastes also contain chemical agents that make stain removal more effective. However, it should be noted that whitening toothpastes only help to remove surface stains. They don’t contain bleach.
With regular use, you can expect a whitening toothpaste to lighten the color of your teeth by about one shade. Compare that to the three to eight shades a professional whitening system can lighten your teeth by and ask yourself if whitening toothpaste is really worth the extra cost.
Whitening Strips & Gels
There are also teeth whitening strips and gels available over-the-counter that promise to give you a whiter, brighter smile. These clear gels are applied directly to the surface of your teeth and contain peroxide as a whitening agent.
Whitening strips also use a peroxide-based gel and are applied to the surface of your teeth for a set amount of time.
Both options can whiten your smile by 1-2 shades, with results being most visible after a few days. The effects typically last for 3-4 months.
Whitening Mouthwash
Whitening mouthwash and rinses are relatively new to the industry. Like most mouthwashes, whitening rinses help freshen your breath and prevent the buildup of plaque, while fighting gum disease. But whitening rinses in particular also contain hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.
Makers of the rinses claim it takes 12 weeks for you to see results if you swish the rinse around in your mouth for a minute, twice a day before brushing your teeth.
The main argument against whitening rinses is that they’re hardly effective because of the short time they’re in contact with your teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening
At Biggers Family Dentistry, we offer a simple and cost-effective way to brighten dull or discolored teeth. These professional treatments are guaranteed to work better than over-the-counter whitening kits.
When you come to our office for a teeth whitening treatment, we’ll first take impressions of your teeth. Those impressions are then used to make whitening trays specifically designed to fit your mouth. The bonus? You can take these trays with you to use our teeth whitening system in the comfort of your own home.
Our customized teeth whitening trays are comfortable to wear and completely cover the surface of your teeth to produce the best results.
Our professional teeth whitening system uses a stronger formula than the ones you can find in a drugstore. Additionally, after wearing the customized trays for just 30-60 minutes a day, you will get noticeably whiter and brighter teeth. No over-the-counter product can produce the same results!
Learn More Today!
Dr. Hood Biggers and the rest of our professional team at Biggers Family Dentistry can advise you on how to maintain your bright smile. We can even do touch-ups during your regular dental cleanings.
To learn more, call our Midlothian, VA office to schedule a consultation. Call (804) 621-2199 or contact us online . We look forward to hearing from you!