Reasons Why You Should Leave Behind Over The Counter Whitening Treatments On The Shelf

Have you ever found yourself unhappy with the shade of your teeth and You are not happy with the current shade of your teeth, and you suddenly find yourself staring at a shelf full of whitening options at your local drugstore. Which teeth whitening treatment is the best? There are so many to choose from! You may be surprised to learn that if you are looking for serious results, the answer is none of them. Patients looking for whiter teeth in the Knoxville, Tennessee area seek professional treatments from Dr. Gloria Serrano at South Knox Dental. Over the counter teeth whitening options can provide marginal results, but these results will not last for long and could be doing more damage than good. 

What Is Over The Counter?

Over the counter medical products are those which are able to be purchased without a prescription. Sellers typically market these products as more affordable alternatives, which drives demand from consumers. While many over the counter options are great options (think generic brand medications), when it comes to teeth whitening solutions, they are not very effective at meeting expectations or fulfilling the promise they often slap on the front of the box. Your best bet is to seek professional whitening treatment from a local dentist who can administer the correct amount of whitening gel (which is stronger than what is provided by OTC options) and monitor the treatment closely. Let’s look at some reasons why over the counter teeth whitening treatments are not a great idea if you are looking for whiter teeth.

They Can Cause Discomfort

If you already have some tooth or soft tissue problems which result in discomfort, using over the counter whitening products can exacerbate the issue due to the ingredients found within these products. Issues that can result will possibly include gum inflammation, pain in the gums, tooth sensitivity, and more.

Uneven Results

A significant complaint of consumers who purchase over the counter teeth whitening treatments is the uneven results they ultimately receive. Because the mouthpieces to which the whitening gel is applied are “one size fits all” the gel often will not rest evenly on the teeth, resulting in patchy results. Teeth can look multi-colored following these treatments, which can often look worse than the yellowed tint they were previously. 

Additionally, there is no natural way to whiten a single tooth. Many patients who visit the dentist for a teeth whitening treatment are looking to have one or a few teeth whitenings, which can be achieved via a professional treatment.

Results Are Temporary

With proper care, results from a professional whitening treatment should last a year or slightly more. When you pay for an over the counter whitening treatment, the results you get will likely only last a few months before fading away, leaving you right where you started. Because results do not last, you will find yourself buying these products more often, resulting in more out of pocket than you would if you would have just chosen a professional treatment. 

Tooth Damage

There are some over the counter whitening treatments which are rich in acids and compounds that actually attack the tooth’s enamel, resulting in weakened teeth. The chemicals used in these products leave some users in significant pain. If you are not willing to take this risk, you should never consider an over the counter whitening option and seek professional treatment from your dentist.

Call Us For An Appointment Today!

When it comes to great results and whiter teeth, nothing can match a professional whitening treatment. When you visit South Knox Dental, we offer convenient take-home whitening trays which are custom crafted to fit your teeth. Results are professional-grade and safe. To schedule an appointment, please call (865) 302-3848.