How to Whiten Your Teeth Safely

Most people, at some point, want a whiter, brighter smile. And, it can seem like there are so many options when choosing a whitening product. But are all of them safe?

From over-the-counter products to professional whitening treatments, it can be tough to tell which is the easiest, cheapest, or gives the best results. However, it isn’t always wise to go for the cheapest option.

What Makes My Teeth Whiter?

Usually, all whitening products contain a certain concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This is one of the main elements that bleaches your teeth, making them appear whiter.

When overused, hydrogen peroxide can cause tooth sensitivity and can even erode your enamel. Enamel is the protective layer on your teeth that you need to lessen things like sensitivity.

When your enamel gets eroded or worn away, you can start to feel the painful consequences pretty much straight away. That’s why there are legal caps on the level of hydrogen peroxide concentration in whitening products.

Shop Bought vs Professional Whitening

Shop-bought whitening products are super common. And, it’s easy to see why. They’re cheap, convenient and always promise long-lasting whiteness for your teeth.

But, when something seems too good to be true, it often is. Shop-bought whitening products are sometimes sold under the guise of ‘limitless’ usage. Meaning you can use the product as many times as you like and constantly have topped-up white teeth. 

The reason you can allegedly use these products over and over again is that the hydrogen peroxide levels are so low, they can’t do any damage. While the legal cap on hydrogen peroxide limiting the concentration to 0.1% in these products might sound safe, the overall effect isn’t worth the long term side effects.

A whitening product would require at least 4% hydrogen peroxide concentration, brandishing the legal shop-bought whitening kits redundant. But, even with a concentration that low, you’re still running the risk of damaging your enamel and ultimately suffering from sensitivity. 

Your teeth can’t take constant exposure to hydrogen peroxide – no matter how low the concentration.

Going Pro

On the other hand, professional whitening kits are legally allowed up to 7% hydrogen peroxide concentration. So, how is that safer than shop-bought kits?

When you go shop-bought, there are no restrictions on how often you use the product, how much product you use or how well the whitening tray fits over your teeth (poorly fitting ones can damage your gums!)

Professional whitening treatments are so much safer. When you see a professional for your whitening treatment, you’re benefiting from their experience and expertise on whitening.

They often use premium products for the best results. You can even have more control over the exact shade you want your smile to be before treatment has started.

Plus, you can return to the dentist for more whitening whenever you want, and they can help you decide on the shade, length of treatment, and whether you should go ahead or go steady. After all, dentists are there to look after your teeth, not expose them to harsh or damaging chemicals.

When you go pro, you’re also more likely to be comfortable during treatment because your mouthguard will have been created bespoke. That means no more sore gums from awkwardly fitting whitening trays.

Finding Your White Smile

Do you want to get teeth whitening in Reading? Look no further than Woodborough House. Call our friendly team today to find out how you can receive your beautiful new smile.