Approximately 45 million Americans — that’s 14 percent of the country’s population – have had their teeth whitened professionally.
Are you interested in getting whiter teeth? If so, you’re definitely not alone.
Many people want their smile to be whiter and brighter, but they’re hesitant about pulling the trigger on a professional teeth whitening session.
They might assume that they can get the same results from an at-home whitening kit. That’s definitely the case, though.
Read on to learn more about professional teeth whitening and why it always wins out over at-home methods.
Importance of White Teeth
Teeth whitening is the number one most requested cosmetic treatment in the United States. Why are people so obsessed with whiter teeth?
There are a lot of perks that come with having a whiter smile, including the following:
- More attractive, eye-catching smile
- More youthful appearance
- More confidence
- Better personal and dating life
Whiter teeth can also provide you with more career advancement opportunities. The results of one study showed that people who had whiter teeth were more likely to be hired and receive a larger salary offer than those who hadn’t whitened their teeth.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Clearly, there are benefits to having your teeth whitened. Why do you need to go the professional route, though?
Professional teeth whitening is highly effective and tends to yield much better results than at-home whitening kits. The following are some other benefits that professional teeth whitening has to offer:
Fast Results
Teeth whitening that takes place in a dentist’s office is much faster than trying to whiten your teeth at home.
When you whiten your teeth at home, you have to dedicate hours of your life to sitting around with uncomfortable strips on your teeth. Who wants to deal with that?
Professional teeth whitening only takes about an hour of your time, and you’ll see results immediately after the treatment is finished.
More Reliable Results
When you use an at-home teeth whitening kit, you never really know what you’re going to get.
It’s hard to tell how white your teeth will become, whether you’ll notice any difference, or how long it will take before you see results.
When you work with a professional, you can trust that you’ll see a difference right away, and you can trust that you’re going to get the result you’re after.
The results from professional teeth whitening also last much longer than the results you get from at-home products.
Customization
Cosmetic dentists can help you customize the whiteness of your teeth to meet your specific preferences.
It doesn’t matter if you want your teeth to be blindingly white or just a few shades lighter than they are now. It’s easy to choose the shade of white you want, and you can rest easy knowing that that’s the shade of white you’re going to get.
Increased Safety
Having your teeth whitened by a dentist is much safer than whitening your teeth at home.
When you whiten your teeth at home, you run the risk of exposing your gums and tongue to harsh chemicals. At-home teeth whitening products can also increase the sensitivity of your teeth quite a bit.
At a dentist’s office, though, special precautions are taken to shield your tongue, gums, and cheeks from the whitening solution. You also have a trained professional at the ready in case there are any issues during the whitening process.
Increased Comfort
Getting your teeth whitened professionally is much more comfortable than whitening them at home, too.
You get to lie back in the dentist’s chair and relax while someone takes care of your teeth for you. There’s no need to worry about keeping whitening strips in place while you run around your house trying to multitask.
Expertise
When you have your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office, you get to rest easy knowing that you’re in the hands of an expert.
They know exactly what to do to help you get the smile of your dreams — there’s no guesswork involved.
They can also make personalized recommendations to help you maintain your white teeth for as long as possible once the treatment is complete.
What to Expect from Professional Teeth Whitening
Okay, you can see that it’s a good idea to invest in professional teeth whitening. You might be wondering what the procedure is actually like, though. If you’re still on the fence about professional teeth whitening, knowing what to expect can help to put you at ease and get you excited about your new smile.
When you have your teeth whitened by Dr. Monika, a cosmetic dentist, she will start by examining your teeth and making note of the current shade.
During the exam, she will likely give you insight into what is causing the staining on your teeth. She’ll also address any issues that could hinder the effectiveness of the treatment.
Once you’re cleared to have your teeth whitened, they’ll be cleaned thoroughly to get rid of plaque. Our dentist will use gauze, retractors, and barriers to dry your teeth and keep the gums, cheeks, tongue, and lips protected from the whitening solution.
When everything is in place, she’ll apply the whitening solution and cure it with a special light or laster. When she’s finished, she’ll rinse your teeth and apply fluoride to help minimize sensitivity.
Get Your Teeth Whitened Today
As you can see, there are lots of reasons why you ought to choose professional teeth whitening over at-home teeth whitening kits and products.
When you work with a dentist to whiten your teeth, you’ll see better, longer-lasting results and will get to enjoy a safer and more comfortable whitening procedure.
Now that you understand the benefits of professional whitening and know what to expect when you sit in the dentist’s chair, are you ready to get your teeth whitened?
If you live in or around the Chicago area, we’re here to help at Brushin’ on Belmont.
Contact us today to learn more about our teeth whitening services or to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to help you get the smile of your dreams.