Jan
27
From cigarette stains to coffee stains, tooth discolouration is an inevitability, especially as you get older. However, having your teeth professionally whitened can have an instant knock-on effect on your confidence, and even improve your oral health!
With the rise of at-home whitening kits, many are now taking their tooth-whitening into their own hands and performing whitening at home – but this really isn’t the safest or most effective way to achieve that red-carpet smile.
Plus, as the NHS states, teeth whitening should only be carried out by a licensed professional dentist. So, what are the advantages of a professional teeth whitening procedure? Let’s take a look.
Lift cigarette stains
If you’ve ever been a smoker – even a social smoker – you’ll know that tobacco is not your greatest ally when you’re trying to achieve gleaming pearly whites. Being a smoker contributes significantly to the yellowing of your teeth, (not to mention the increased chances of developing oral cancer and gum disease) and these stains can be difficult to lift with traditional whitening toothpastes, especially if you’re a long-term smoker.
Teeth whitening, when performed by a professional, can lift decades of cigarette stains on your teeth, all without the risks and dangers of using a shop-bought tooth whitening kit.
Healthier teeth
During a teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will help reinforce your teeth and remove any build-up of plaque, which can contribute to the development of cavities, tooth decay, and even the early stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis. Having a professional whitening procedure also encourages you to take better care of your teeth at home; as you’ll want to prolong your results for as long as possible, you’ll most likely brush your teeth more regularly, and even refrain from classic teeth-stainers like cigarettes and coffee.
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Enhanced confidence
Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of a teeth whitening procedure is that your confidence is going to enjoy a serious boost – no more hiding behind your hands when you laugh or smile! Studies have even shown that employers are more likely to hire candidates with a pearly-white smile than someone with damaged teeth, so your newfound confidence could even give you a much-needed boost when climbing the career ladder!
Better than shop-bought kits
At-home whitening kits are incredibly popular, but do they really work? In most cases, an at-home whitening kit is going to be unable to reverse severe or long-term tooth discolouration. And even if you do manage to achieve a few shades lighter than your current colour, these results are not going to last, meaning you’ll be obliged to repurchase the same kit every few months.
In most cases, a professional treatment is going to be more cost-effective. For example, repurchasing an average-priced at-home whitening kit for £40 every month would amount to £480 per year – while prices for teeth whitening from a dentist London begin at just £650, and last for years at a time.
Personalised whitening
We’ve all seen that episode of Friends, right? While an at-home whitening kit probably isn’t going to give you ultraviolet, neon-white teeth like Ross Geller, you may still end up with a final result that doesn’t meet your expectations. Whether they’re too white, or not white enough, a DIY whitening kit won’t give you the option to customise your final tooth colour.
With a professional treatment, you’ll be able to select how white you want your teeth to look, allowing you to pick the most natural-looking colour and enjoy a natural-looking final result.
Long-lasting
Another key benefit of professional teeth whitening is that the results are going to be long lasting – even up to 3 years! While this does mean an investment in your oral health, the cost of a teeth whitening procedure every 1-2 years is going to cost less than having to buy an at-home whitening kit every 1-2 months.
While some might be tempted to opt for a cheaper, store-bought whitening kit instead, these are not going to yield the same results as a professional treatment in a dental surgery. Plus, incorrect application can end up causing painful tooth sensitivity, and even impact any existing fillings or crowns. For an effective and safe teeth whitening procedure, the treatment performed by a professional dentist is the best way to go.
FAQs
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
If you get your teeth whitened by a qualified, professional dentist, your chances of experiencing sensitivity are minimal (although some will notice heightened tooth sensitivity after the procedure.) However, whitening your teeth using a box kit is much more likely to provoke sensitivity problems, as the moulds might not directly fit your mouth, and cause the whitening gel to leak onto your gums and cause sensitivity.
Is teeth whitening safe for enamel?
When performed by a qualified dentist, teeth whitening procedures have no impact on enamel, and won’t damage your teeth.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening is only fully safe when performed by a qualified dentist. Using shop-bought kits can end up causing tooth sensitivity, a patchy final result, and can even exacerbate existing teeth problems, such as cavities.
Is teeth whitening worth it?
We believe so! Professional teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your confidence, protect your oral hygiene, and lift any pesky coffee or cigarette stains from your teeth.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
Teeth whitening isn’t fully permanent, but it can last up to 3 years if you follow a good oral hygiene routine at home, and keep up with all your dentist appointments. Your results from a professional tooth whitening will also last longer if you avoid things like coffee and cigarettes.
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