Aesthetic Inquiry: Why Should I Whiten My Teeth With My Dentist?

Having a smile full of stains can leave you feeling so self-conscious about your appearance that you remain tight-lipped or try to avoid spending time with others. This can dent your self-confidence, resulting in fewer professional opportunities, less rewarding relationships, and a lack of social activities.

Your dentist can brighten your grin with whitening treatments, but many patients wonder whether they can achieve the same results with over-the-counter products. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons why it’s better to have your discoloration addressed by a professional!

Consideration #1: Effectively Achieve Results

There are many brands of whitening toothpastes, strips, and gels available at most stores and pharmacies that claim to lighten your smile. However, most commercially available options contain diluted bleaching agents that aren’t always effective, especially if you have stubborn or deep-seated stains.

Meanwhile, your dentist has access to ultra-concentrated solutions that can potentially brighten your grin by up to 8 shades in a single in-office visit. Or, if you prefer, many providers also offer take-home kits with the same professional-grade gels along with custom-fitted trays. You can see top-quality results within a couple of weeks, all from the comfort of your living room.  

Consideration #2: Avoid Potential Discomfort

Whiteners work by chemically breaking down stain molecules into smaller, less saturated bits to reduce discoloration on your enamel. Many patients assume that it’s safe to apply bleach to their teeth because they don’t see any issues, like cavities, that could cause a problem. Unfortunately, plenty of patients have accidentally placed these harsh ingredients over hidden tooth decay and had to call their dentist for an emergency visit to address the ache that followed.

Caries can develop in hard-to-see places like between your teeth or behind your molars, but your dentist will examine your mouth before proceeding with any cosmetic service. They’re happy to help you improve your appearance, but only once they address any areas of concern that might interfere with your results.

Consideration #3: Be Ready On Time

If you have an upcoming occasion like a wedding, reunion, job interview, or first date, it’s only natural to want to make a good first impression. Lightening your teeth boosts your confidence so you’ll feel free to smile authentically and put your best foot forward.

However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll achieve the desired results in time (if at all) with over-the-counter solutions. Thankfully, your dentist can reliably remove years’ worth of discoloration with an in-office procedure for immediate results.

If you want to safely achieve the perfect shade, it’s best to start by consulting your dentist!

Meet the Author

Dr. Bita Kamali is passionate about helping people build and maintain their healthiest, most beautiful smiles. She completed a dental hygiene program and then earned her doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry. Today, she provides a full array of services to people of all ages, including cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. She combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 818-1300.