Home teeth whitening kits are quite popular among teens and young adults. Why wouldn’t they be? They are an over-the-counter product that supposedly makes your teeth milky white with a single application. Is it as effective as an in-office procedure from a dentist, though? More importantly, are they safe?

Safety of Home Teeth Whitening Kits

For the most part, as long as you follow instructions, teeth whitening kits are relatively safe. There are no known side effects or links to heath issues. If used in excess, however, they may erode enamel and leave the dentin layer beneath exposed and vulnerable. Parents especially need to caution their teens against overuse. During childhood, kids lose their primary teeth and develop their permanent teeth. Since the latter is still maturing in adolescents, the surface isn’t as resilient as fully developed enamel.

Effectiveness of Teeth Whitening at Home

Whitening kits, for the most part, should achieve the level of whiteness advertised on the label. It should be noted, though, that the kits often contain about 10% less bleaching agent than formulations used by cosmetic dentists. Brightness and shading can also be more precisely adjusted to achieve a more natural appearance at a clinic. Furthermore, the presence of implants or restorations may require professional treatment since their coloration cannot be altered through bleaching alone.

DIY Teeth Whitening Works, Professional Whitening is Better

We’re not dissuading you from using a whitening kit. We’re just suggesting that optimum results are best achieved through professional treatment. As long as you follow instructions, they’re perfectly safe and effective to the degree advertised on the package.

See Mukilteo Dental Arts for Best Results

Want your smile to stand out? Visit Mukilteo Dental Arts to have your teeth whitened to their natural color. Our dentists can also provide additional tips for retaining your teeth’s natural color and vitality. Home teeth whitening kits are fine, but they won’t deliver the best possible results.
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Teeth Whitening & Bleaching for Shiny Pearly Whites

General family dentistry for Mukilteo, Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds & Mill Creek