Whitening pros and cons:

Many people are choosing to whiten their teeth. Since there are so many different methods of doing this it may be wise to consider the whitening pros and cons of each method. Only once you investigate your options can you make an intelligent decision.

Over the counter methods is usually the first line of treatment that people go for. The gels and trays that promise whiter teeth usually do help increase the whiteness of your teeth by about one shade. Some of them are pretty messy and may not have the best taste but if you only need a little whitening , this may be the way to go. Whitening overviews show that you can usually expect the results of over the counter preparations to last anywhere between one and four months. Gels, trays and strips normally all have the same result.

Mostly Professional tooth whitening is done over several appointments, so they take a little time but the results can be seen after the first appointment. In fact, dramatic results can be seen after the first appointment. You will have to keep all of the appointments however to get the desired affect. If you are not willing to make that commitment then maybe you should stick with the over the counter methods. If your teeth are severely stained, whitening discolored teeth can only be achieved with professional whitening.

Any method helps to whiten teeth but no method can promise totally white teeth. They are pretty much a myth. Teeth are different shades of white so don’t believe you will have blinding white teeth no matter what method you use. You should discuss this with your dentist during your next appointment for routing dental care.

A brighter smile goes a long way to improving persons self esteem and self confidence. Any method you choose is bound to make a difference. Many dental insurance plans will not cover whitening because it is considered cosmetic dentistry . The cost of professional whitening runs from $500-$1000. The cost of the over the counter methods is often less than $50. You have to take into consideration the time the results will last as well. Professional whitening can sometimes last up to a year or more with proper dental care.

The decision will ultimately be up to you but a visit with your dentist couldn’t hurt. He or she will have all of the answers to your questions so you can make an informed decision. You can always try the over the counter methods without consulting a dentist first if you would rather do that. It could be that the over the counter method will be enough and your problem will be solved.

Chemicals used by dentists are much stronger than those available over the counter and that is the reason for the increased cost and also the longer lasting results. Find out which method is best for you to improve your great smile.