Do At Home Teeth Whitening Kits Work? [Our Dentists’ Opinions]
August 1, 2024
When you weigh the benefits of home teeth whitening kits against professional treatment or the customized kits offered by your dentist, think about your goals. If your teeth are just beginning to show signs of yellowing, an over-the-counter whitening kit might be all that you need to get radiant pearly whites. These kits are effective, but they contain lower concentrations of whitening agents.
But if you have more noticeable stains, professional teeth whitening in Pineville might be your only option. Dental-grade whitening solutions contain up to 35% to 40% hydrogen peroxide, while home kits only offer about 3% to 14%. If you only want to add superficial brightness to your teeth for a short period, you can go for a home teeth whitening kit. For deeper, more natural-looking, longer-lasting results, an in-office treatment session at the dentist is the ideal choice.
Should I Whiten My Teeth at Home?
Before you get drugstore whitening teeth kits, you need to understand how these treatments work. For desired results, the whitening agent must be potent enough to remove stubborn stains and discoloration. That is not possible with at-home kits, which are diluted.
Moreover, to be effective, the whitening gels must stay on your teeth long enough to break down stains and whiten teeth. Unfortunately, quick teeth whiteners like pens or toothpaste are minimally beneficial because they do not stay on your teeth long enough. They are washed away almost immediately. Similarly, most non-prescription whitening strips fail to stay in place, which nullifies their effectiveness.
The whitening chemicals need to reach beneath the enamel (the outermost layer of your teeth) for the product to work well. Professionally-administered treatments achieve this penetration easily, but store-bought products rarely achieve this depth. Without reaching below the tooth enamel, you are unlikely to remove the stains thoroughly.
If you are set on the do-it-yourself route, your dentist may offer custom-made teeth whitening trays that you can use at home with advanced whitening solutions. These trays are made using a precise mold of your teeth, so they fit you perfectly. They also prevent the solution from leaking out, which is a common issue with one-size-fits-all trays from stores.
How Do Teeth Whitening Kits Work?
These kits typically come with the following components:
- Whitening Gel: This is the primary agent used for bleaching and contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient.
- Application Trays or Strips: These are used to hold the whitening gel and keep it in contact with the teeth. Some trays can be customized, but they mostly have a standard size. Strips are more flexible pieces that are coated with the whitening gel.
- LED Light (optional in some kits): Some kits come with an LED light to accelerate the reaction of the peroxide. This is similar to professional treatments but less powerful.
Whether hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is used, the process begins with these chemicals breaking down into oxygen-free radicals when they come into contact with your teeth. These radicals penetrate the enamel and react with the discolored molecules in your teeth, breaking the bonds that hold them together. After keeping the gel or strips on your teeth for the recommended time, you will remove them and rinse your mouth to get rid of any remaining gel.
Are At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits Effective?
Whitening kits are certainly effective in creating a polished smile, but it’s essential to choose wisely. One thing to watch is the hydrogen peroxide concentration. You may think that the higher the levels, the more effective it is in bleaching teeth, but that is not true. Choose a kit that contains no more than 10% hydrogen peroxide if you are purchasing from a local store.
Also, look out for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the packaging. Any dental product without this seal might not meet the stringent safety and quality standards set by the American Dental Association.
This brings us to two options:
Home Teeth Whitening Kits
You will find a variety of teeth-bleaching kits available at pharmacies and major stores. But remember, not all kits are created equal. The kits include thin, flexible strips coated with a tooth-whitening gel that are designed to conform to the shape of your teeth. You use these strips by placing them on your teeth once a day for 30 minutes. The treatment lasts for about two weeks.
Each strip is coated with a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide. You stick the strip on your teeth so that the gel is in direct contact with the enamel. While the strips are on your teeth, the hydrogen peroxide in the gel creates smaller, harmless molecules that penetrate the enamel and help break down the bonds of the molecules that cause stains on the teeth. Essentially, the stains are made up of large molecules, and when these are broken into smaller parts, they no longer appear colored.
After using these strips daily for 14 days, most of the stains on the surface of the teeth are broken down and removed, making the teeth look whiter. Check the seller’s teeth whitening kit reviews to seek out the best option.
Kits Dispensed by Dentists
Unlike the ones available on the market, the teeth whitening kits provided by dentists contains more potent ingredients. These are not available for retail purchase and can only be obtained directly from your dental provider.
If you are interested in a more advanced whitening treatment, ask your dentist for a prescription. If you live in the Charlotte, NC, area, you can contact our dental hygiene team at Park Crossing Dentistry for a stain-targeting teeth whitening system you can do in the privacy of your home. Even after just one use, you can see your teeth become several shades lighter.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits: What Can Go Wrong
You may want to avoid going to the dentist, but if you use a low-quality kit or use it wrong, there’s potential for damage to your oral health.
- The efficacy of most at-home teeth whitening kits or whitening toothpaste products is limited.
- The majority of teeth whitening kits are not suitable for those with sensitive teeth.
- It is unrealistic to expect the perfect shade of white right away. You have to use the whitening process for several weeks before you get half the brightness you want.
- Incorrect application of whitening products can result in uneven shades or additional staining instead of giving you a brighter smile.
Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
During a professional teeth whitening treatment, the dentist will safely use the bleaching agent (like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to avoid contact with the gum tissue. The gel goes only on the teeth and does not touch the gums or the inside of your mouth. Professionals know how to precisely control where the whitening product is applied and how to avoid areas that might be more sensitive, such as receding gum lines or exposed dentin. They can also give you tips on keeping your teeth clean after the procedure.
Unlike an at-home teeth whitening kit, an in-office teeth bleaching treatment is:
- Performed after a thorough evaluation of your dental history (any previous dental work you have had and how sensitive your teeth are)
- Selected according to the right type and strength of whitening treatment based on your tooth color and the degree of brightness required
- Designed to address each uneven-colored tooth due to stains or aging (they apply different levels of whitening to different teeth if needed) so you get a consistently luminous smile
- Performed using stronger chemical agents so results are more effective, natural looking, and long-lasting
Get a Dazzling Smile with Our Teeth Whitening Experts
There are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products out there, but we encourage you to consult with a dentist at Park Crossing Dentistry about your choices. We can determine exactly what type of teeth discoloration you have, its root cause, and the best teeth whitening products to use.
If you wish to light up a room with your smile, our professional take-home teeth whitening light kits go beyond what you will find in stores. Our cosmetic dentistry team with 40+ years of experience has created these easy-to-use systems with potent but safe whitening agents that penetrate deep to remove even the most stubborn stains. Visit our office in Charlotte, NC, or contact us at 980-201-7924 to book an appointment.