If you are looking for tooth whitening in the Bloomfield area, you may be so overwhelmed with the options that you’re clenching your jaw, biting your nails, and chewing your lip.
First of all, don’t do that! Those things are bad. We’ll tell you why next time we see you.
For now, we want to help you narrow down your options in order to find the best tooth whitening for you. Here is some basic information that may help.
Types of Tooth Whitening Products that You Can Buy Over the Counter
As you are exploring tooth whitening options, the first thing you should do is make an important decision: Dentist or DIY?
Are you looking for professional tooth whitening in the Bloomfield area, or are you considering over-the-counter options?
Clearly, we are partial to going to the dentist for tooth whitening, but there are some effective over-the-counter options as well if you need something quickly.
These are the four main types of tooth whitening products that you can buy over the counter:
- Whitening strips
- Tooth whitening trays
- Whitening toothpastes
- Dental whitening systems
In order to decide which tooth whitening product is best for you, think about these three factors: time, money, and preference.
1. How much time do you have to whiten your teeth?
Are you trying to whiten your teeth for the long haul or for something like graduation day pictures you have coming up next week?
A whitening toothpaste might help you over time, but products like whitening strips and whitening trays work faster. With whitening strips, you may see results within a few days, and whitening trays start working within a couple of weeks.
2. How much money do you want to spend?
The cost of tooth whitening products over the counter range from $20 to $150, and the more comprehensive tooth whitening systems can cost closer to a few hundred dollars. The cost varies according to brand, features, ease of use, ingredients, and quality.
3. Which type of tooth whitening product is best for you?
As you are exploring your options, you will most likely base your decision on your preferences and needs.
If you have a strong gag reflex, for example, a whitening tray might not be the best choice. If your teeth are crooked, you might get uneven results with whitening strips, so a product with a brush applicator might be more ideal. Other considerations include the taste of the product and how long it is used at one time.
It’s also important to note that only natural teeth can be whitened, so if you have crowns or dentures, you may wish to speak with the dentist about other options for tooth whitening.
During professional tooth whitening, a retractor may be used to keep your cheeks, tongue, and lips away from the peroxide solution. A curing light may also be used to activate the solution.
Getting Your Teeth Whitened at the Dentist’s Office vs. Doing It Yourself
There are several significant advantages to getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office rather than DIYing it.
- A professional is doing it for you, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you are doing it right.
- Over-the-counter tooth whitening products can be messy and cumbersome.
- When you get your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office, the process is more efficient and controlled. Go in, get it done, and go home.
- You can rest assured that the product is safer for your teeth, your gums, and your overall health. Some OTC products may irritate your mouth or contain harsh ingredients that compromise the benefits of tooth whitening.
- Most importantly, getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office may be more effective for a number of reasons. The results are more thorough, last longer, and in some cases are instantly noticeable. The dentist or hygienist can also get into the nooks and crannies of your teeth. That includes the back teeth, which some OTC products don’t address.
If you are considering getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office, you may also be wondering how the process works. Here’s how it goes.
Typically, it begins with an analysis of the current shade of your teeth, and then we will remove any surface plaque.
During the whitening procedure, it’s important to keep your mouth dry and keep the solution away from your cheeks, lips, tongue, and gums. We may use barriers along the gumline, retractors, and gauze in order to do so.
Once we have finished the preparations, we will coat the surfaces of your teeth with a whitening peroxide solution, and a curing light may be used to activate the solution. After 30 to 60 minutes, we will rinse your teeth and then possibly apply a soothing fluoride.
You may need more than one appointment to achieve the results you desire.
Just one more note: We have talked about the differences between tooth whitening at the dentist’s office vs. using over-the-counter tooth whitening products, but there is a third option that combines the benefits of both. Professional at-home whitening kits are available through the dentist’s office, allowing you to whiten your teeth on your own while feeling confident that the product is effective and safe. Ask us about this option at your next visit.
Finding the Best Dentist for Tooth Whitening in the Bloomfield Area
As you are looking for the best dentist for tooth whitening in the Bloomfield area, you should take cost factors and experience into account.
Most insurance companies don’t cover this cosmetic dental treatment, so you may have to pay more than you would with OTC products. However, the benefits, results, and convenience far outweigh the cost.
Choosing a highly skilled, experienced dental team will help ensure that you get optimal results. The more we complete tooth whitening procedures, the more we can recognize nuances that may hinder the process. As a result, we can avoid them in order to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure and happy with the outcome.
Our goal is to help you look and feel your best, so make an appointment today to start brightening that beautiful smile!
