In Office vs At Home Teeth Whitening- Which one is better for me?

Many patients have asked us if the over-the-counter teeth whitening products they see at the store are as effective as professional teeth whitening that is supervised by a dentist. 

Dr. Mudita Agrawal and her team at Future Dental Care offer her patients offers a free whitening consultation. Let's compare these whitening options -

About At-home Teeth Whitening Treatments

At-home teeth whitening treatments are many and varied. Some of the most common kinds of these bleaching products include:

• Whitening chewing gums and mints
• Whitening toothpaste
• Whitening rinses and mouthwashes
• Teeth whitening strips
• Teeth whitening tray systems

Each of these products contains whitening and bleaching agents in various degrees. As a result, the whitening systems tend to vary in overall effectiveness.

Which at-home teeth whitening treatments are most effective?

The most effective at-home teeth whitening products are the tray systems and whitening strips. These products offer the strongest bleaching agents and generally get people's teeth looking whiter and brighter after a few weeks of use.

About Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is performed in the office by a dentist and a dental hygienist. While the procedure can vary based on the system, they all tend to operate in a similar fashion. A whitening gel is applied to the teeth which helps bleach the discolored enamel of the tooth structure and lift stains in the process.

How does professional teeth whitening compare to at-home products?

Professional teeth whitening is far superior to the over-the-counter products that you can use at home. The professional teeth whitening treatment will act much faster, with patients noticing results after their first treatment session. In addition, dentist-supervised teeth whitening will reduce the chances of serious tooth sensitivity and gum irritation occurring after treatment.

What about professional-grade take-home whitening kits?

In addition to in-office care, our practice also offers patients KöR® take-home whitening. This is an advanced tray system that helps patients have brighter and whiter smiles at home.

The KöR® take-home system is superior to the over-the-counter tray systems for a number of reasons. The most important advantages are that the KöR® whitening gel is stronger and that the trays used for the gel are custom-made for the patient. This means comfortable teeth whitening treatment that's tailored just for you.

Professional Teeth Whitening is the Way to Go

Given all of the advantages of professional teeth whitening, it should come as no surprise that dentist-supervised teeth whitening is far superior to the use of at-home kits. For some patients with serious tooth discoloration and staining issues, undergoing an in-office treatment can be supplemented with an at-home KöR® kit to get smiles looking their whitest. This combination of professional in-office and at-home care can make a major impact by the end of a month.

Schedule a Consultation for Professional Teeth Whitening

If you have a smile that could use expert teeth whitening treatment or other forms of advanced aesthetic enhancement, be sure to call us at Future Dental Care. Dr. Mudita Agrawal and her team look forward to your visit and helping you achieve all of your dental care goals.

Contact us at 650-780-9429 or email us at doctor@futuredentalcare.com for more information. We would love to talk further with you.