Picture this: your pearly whites are looking a little less pearly white than you’d like. You want to whiten them, but you don’t want to invest a lot of money in it. Scrolling social media one day, you see an influencer promoting an at-home whitening product that seems like a great deal and gets the personal seal of approval from them. What do you have to lose? Unfortunately, quite a bit. If you’re considering lighting your teeth with the help of an over-the-counter bleaching kit you’ve seen in stores or online, here’s why that good deal may just be too good to be true!
The Dangers of Over-the-Counter DIY Whitening Kits
Over-the-counter whitening kits seem like a great idea in theory. You can do it yourself (in your pajamas!) in the comfort of your own home, and in many cases, it may even be more affordable than the take-home kits available from your dentist. But buyers beware: that so-called bargain could end up costing you.
Uneven Results
When it comes to OTC whitening kits, it is not uncommon to get uneven results. This is because it can be difficult to apply the gels evenly without proper instructions, and because the gel itself is not professional grade, it can be wildly inconsistent. This means that you could end up with one or two teeth that are lighter than the others, or teeth that have lighter spots or patches on them. Definitely not the look you were going for!
Chemical Burns
Another issue that some consumers have encountered is burns on their gums from incorrect application of OTC bleaching agents. These can be quite painful and if not treated properly can result in a gum infection.
Longer Treatment Times
If you’re looking to whiten your teeth for a special event, or even if you just want your results as quickly as possible, using an OTC kit may not deliver results in time. That’s because many have very low levels of active ingredients, and therefore may not work as swiftly as a professional-grade kit from your dentist.
Extended Sensitivity
An issue that some patients experience following teeth-whitening treatment is tooth sensitivity. This is because your teeth are porous and whitening chemicals can remove some of the minerals in your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to triggers like heat or cold. Thus, it is important to use a sensitive toothpaste following your treatment to help restore these minerals.
While all whitening procedures and products can cause sensitivity, OTC kits are notoriously worse about this, because you need to use them for a longer period to get the same results as professional. Thus, the longer you use them, the longer your teeth will remain sensitive.
The Solution to OTC
If you’re looking for a solution to dull, stained, or discolored teeth that is both affordable and effective, your dentist offers professional-grade take-home whitening kits that provide all of the convenience of those store-bought kits with safer, faster, and more noticeable results. For more information, speak to your dentist today and get the smile you’ve been dreaming of without the risks of those OTC take-home kits!
About Our Practice
At Hanover Road Dental Health, our name says it all. We want each one of our patients to have a healthy mouth, and it’s our continuing goal to help them achieve that. We will never recommend services you don’t need, and we will do our best to provide conservative treatment that aims to protect the health of your mouth, not pad our wallets.
For a team that truly cares about you and your health, contact Hanover Road Dental Health for all your oral health needs. Schedule an appointment for cosmetic dentistry by visiting our website or calling us at 603-643-4362.