4 Things To Know About Using Professional Teeth Whitening Kits

Yellow teeth can make you feel self-conscious about smiling in front of others. Luckily, dentists can offer professional teeth whitening services that can remove stains and discoloration from teeth. If you don't want to sit through a chairside whitening treatment, you can also purchase a teeth whitening kit from your dentist. Teeth whitening kits offer the same benefits as teeth whitening services with additional convenience. Here are four things you should know about using teeth whitening kits at home:

1. You may pay more for professional teeth whitening kits than their over-the-counter counterparts.

When you purchase a teeth whitening kit from your dentist, you can expect to pay a little more than you would if you bought a kit from your local drugstore. Professional teeth whitening kits are more expensive, but they can also provide better results. A kit purchased from your dentist will have a higher concentration of peroxide, the key whitening ingredient, than comparable over-the-counter kits. A stronger teeth whitening kit can give you better results in a single treatment, which can actually help you save money over time.

2. You must be precise in your teeth whitening gel application.

Teeth whitening kits include a gel or liquid that patients can apply to their teeth to achieve a whitening effect. It's important to be precise in your application to avoid unwanted oral irritation. You should place the whitening gel only on your teeth, being careful to avoid your gums, lips, and tongue.

3. You can maintain your results by avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks.

Teeth whitening kits work by bleaching the outer enamel layer of your teeth. This bleaching effect is permanent. However, your teeth can still accrue additional stains. The long-term success of your teeth whitening kit depends on you. You can maintain the results you have achieved by avoiding or limiting your intake of dark-colored, acidic foods and drinks since these items can stain teeth.

4. Your teeth may be more sensitive than usual after whitening.

Whitening your teeth at home is safe and effective. However, you may notice a slight side effect in the days following your treatment. The ingredients in teeth whitening formulas can make teeth more sensitive, at least initially. Over time, this additional sensitivity should fade; most people find that their teeth go back to normal within a couple of weeks. If you're bothered by the enhanced sensitivity in the meantime, your dentist can recommend a sensitive teeth toothpaste you can use to relieve the sensation.

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