At Home Teeth Whitening Options

There are now a wide variety of at-home teeth whitening options available to patients, ranging from store-bought to dentist-provided. The most common type of whitening option available is a toothpaste, or dentifrice, which is also the weakest. While this option is available just about anywhere, it is perhaps most effective at keeping teeth white rather than make them more so.

Store-bought options generally involve different ways to apply a whitening gel to the teeth. This can involve generic trays that attempt (poorly) to fit all types of mouths, whitening strips, and more. These treatments are relatively weak and require regular applications over the course of numerous nights. While these are effective at their intended effect, they can be dangerous if not used precisely as intended in both duration and frequency of use.

The final at-home option is from a dentist. This option involves having the dentist make a mold of your teeth and then creating an application tray that is fitted precisely to your individual mouth. You are then sent home with that and a whitening gel. This option has numerous benefits, including the fact that a dentist is overseeing the treatment to ensure you are not over-bleaching your teeth. Having a custom-fit tray also helps ensure that the whitening agent stays properly placed and away from sensitive gums and lips.

Contact our Los Angeles tooth whitening doctor to learn more about these three types of options.