White teeth are sought after by a large number of Americans. But with a nationwide fascination split between things like coffee, sugar, and cigarettes, white teeth are something that evade the majority of the population. According to Boston University, Americans cumulatively spend 1.4 billion dollars on over the counter teeth whitening products. Although teeth generally get darker with age regardless of your lifestyle, the sensation of having pearly white teeth seems to have taken a grip on the U.S. as a whole. As Lake Anna dentists, we get a lot of questions about whether or not teeth whitening kits work. Let’s take a look at the facts and see what you think:
Whitening Abilities:
There is some speculation in the dental world as to whether at-home tooth whitening kits work for removing stains from teeth. While we can confidently say that we believe our in-house services bring clients more value and long-lasting whiteness than a store-bought tooth whitening kit, these packets also have the ability to whiten your smile noticeably over their suggested treatment period.
Are Whitening Strips Harmful?
One of the things that makes people uneasy about using teeth whitening kits is the fact that they contain Carbamide Peroxide, which is a chemical often used in bleach products. Considering whitening your teeth is essentially bleaching them to a whiter shade, it makes sense to see a bleach chemical in the product’s chemical make-up. Regardless, the most common side effect of at home tooth whitening is teeth sensitivity. With this said, the ADA (American Dental Association) currently believes that teeth whitening strips are safe for short term, irregular use. Using at home tooth whitening strips on a regular basis is not recommended since there is not enough data to support its safety.
Are Whitening Strips Right for You?
At home teeth whitening kits can work for you if you intend to use them on an infrequent basis. They generally take two weeks to produce the majority of the results, however some brands may take slightly longer. If you are a person who doesn’t mind taking the time to whiten your teeth over time on a budget, then at-home tooth whitening may be for you.
If you don’t have the time to wait for whitening strips to work, an in-office whitening appointment may be the right option. During one of these visits, your dentist will cover your teeth and gums with cotton balls or gel to prevent the treatment from getting on your skin. When the hour-long treatment is over, you’re able to leave the dentist office with a brilliantly white smile and no additional treatments.
Deciding to take a stand against stained teeth is always exciting, however we always advise you to proceed with caution when using at home teeth whitening kits. Although only a few reports have been published about people experiencing severe long term negative effects, there is still not enough scientific information to support the claim that these treatments can be used regularly over a long period of time. If you have any questions about teeth whitening, contact our Lake Anna dentists today.