Which Teeth Whitening Method Is Right For You?

a before and after photo of teeth

Feeling shy about your smile? Stained and discoloured teeth are incredibly common. You might be longing for a brighter smile, but you aren’t sure how to get one. Luckily, there are ways to reverse the signs of aging and whiten your teeth.

When you browse the aisles of a drugstore, you find all sorts of teeth whitening products that claim to transform your smile. How do you decide which one you can trust? 

You don’t just want a whiter smile—you want a healthy smile, too. You’re looking to remove surface stains without damaging your gums or agitating your sensitive teeth. 

Trying to decide which teeth whitening method is right for you? To help you choose, we’re going to provide an overview of your options and determine which one offers the best whitening results:

 

Teeth Whitening Strips

These products claim to offer convenience and affordability. To use this over-the-counter product, you apply the strips to the outer layers of your top and bottom teeth. Then, leave them on for the length of time that’s directed on the package.

Whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide, an active ingredient that can remove stains. However, these products often contain a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide than a professional whitening solution, making them less effective. 

Since the strips are not custom-designed for your mouth, some of the whitening agent may end up on your gums instead of your teeth. This could burn your gums. If you use whitening strips, try to be careful to place them only on your teeth. 

We do not recommend using this whitening treatment if you have gum disease. Otherwise, it may cause irritation and inflammation. 

 

Whitening Toothpastes 

Whitening toothpaste is pretty easy to use; you can swap out your regular toothpaste for a whitening product. Apply it to your teeth the same way you would with any toothpaste.

Unlike strips, whitening toothpastes don’t contain a bleaching agent; instead, they have small abrasives that remove surface stains. Using these products too frequently can wear down your tooth enamel; make sure to brush with a light hand using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

 

Whitening Mouthwashes

Swish this solution around your mouth for a minute or so, then spit it out. Whitening mouthwash has a low concentration of the tooth whitening agent. It may take several weeks before you see visible results. Be careful not to swallow any of the products, or you may experience nausea and diarrhea.

 

Whitening Trays

This whitening kit contains a peroxide-based whitening gel and whitening trays. To use it, you fill the trays with gel, then apply them to your top and bottom teeth. Leave them on for the duration specified on the package. Whitening trays contain concentrated amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which can cause tooth sensitivity if used improperly. 

Unlike when you go to the dentist’s office, these trays are not moulded to your teeth. Since they might be loose or too tight, you may have a hard time securing them in place. Consult a dental professional if you’re interested in custom trays.

 

Professional Teeth Whitening

There’s one main problem with home teeth whitening products: they’re designed to help everyone, not your specific teeth and gums. With our teeth whitening in Winnipeg, we’ll create custom trays that fit your smile. This reduces the chances that the solution will end up on your gums or unevenly coat your teeth.

Based on your oral health, we’ll adjust the concentration and duration of your treatment. Our goal is to deliver the results that you’re looking for. In just a few treatments, you can get whiter teeth without lasting damage. You can choose in-office tooth whitening or a take-home solution for total convenience.  

Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, our teeth whitening system is tailored to meet your needs. You can schedule another treatment whenever you want whiter teeth! That’s the difference that professional whitening makes.

 

Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Procedure Today!

If you aren’t sure which teeth whitening method is right for you, it’s best to stick with professional teeth whitening. At our dentist’s office, we’ll create custom whitening trays to meet your smile goals.

Searching for a Winnipeg dentist that offers a professional whitening treatment? Whiten your teeth without damaging them with our in-office whitening solutions. Contact Affinity Dental today!