Teeth whitening: at home or at the dentist?

Teeth whitening, the path to a perfect smile

Interest in dental aesthetics and dental care is increasingly common among people who want to look good and, as a result, it is one of the most requested treatments at dental clinics. Teeth whitening, in its various forms, reduces stains on the teeth and makes the smile brighter.

At Dental Studio Dr. Leuștean we advise you always to go to a professional dentist, so that your dental health can be assessed before treatment and the most suitable whitening method chosen. With that said, below we set out the differences between professional teeth whitening carried out at the dental clinic and teeth whitening at home.

Professional whitening, carried out at the dental surgery, is a safe and effective dental treatment. The advantage of this method is that the patient only needs to visit the clinic once for the treatment and will see the final result that same day.

The benefits of this type of treatment include:

• the patient is in expert hands;
•  there is no risk of damaging the tooth or, worse, burning the gum with hydrogen peroxide, an agent that must be handled with care and with the right instruments.

Besides hydrogen peroxide, the other essential ingredient for making the tooth much whiter than before is a catalyst, which in most cases is simply an LED light or a laser. It helps the hydrogen peroxide break down on the tooth surface, penetrating beyond the protective layer of the enamel and whitening the tooth.

Patients need not be afraid or worried about a chemical compound being used on their teeth: firstly, the compound we use is never pure – it is always diluted with water – and, before carrying out the whitening itself, the dentist protects all the parts of the mouth not directly involved in the whitening process by applying a protective rubber barrier that shields the gums and the rest of the soft tissue around the teeth.

The result of professional teeth whitening, carried out at the dental surgery, can last up to 2 years if the instructions given are followed. To keep the teeth white for a long time, the patient must pay close attention to dental hygiene and to certain habits that could, over time, affect the appearance of the teeth. These include: drinking a lot of coffee, eating or drinking strongly coloured, heavily pigmented foods or drinks, and smoking.

When it comes to whitening at home, there is some controversy, as there are many products sold online that are not controlled by professionals.

 Home teeth whitening involves applying a low-concentration carbamide peroxide gel, which can be bought either online or from pharmacies. After brushing their teeth thoroughly, the patient applies the oxidising agent to the surface of the teeth using trays. The trays are worn overnight and removed in the morning. The procedure can be repeated every night or every other night, depending on the dentist's recommendation.

The results of home teeth whitening vary: some people may see results in just a few days, while others may notice only minimal results. The whitening agent is generally less than 10% hydrogen peroxide, so irritation of the soft tissues around the teeth is minimised.