DIY Teeth Whitening: Too Good to Be True?

Did you know that more than one-third of people in the United States alone are unhappy with their teeth? Some are so ashamed of their teeth that they may even try to keep themselves from smiling or laughing. Of course, no one should have to feel embarrassed about their smile.

One of the most common reasons why people don't like their teeth has to do with the color of their teeth. Fortunately, DIY teeth whitening can solve this problem, at least partially. If your teeth are discolored in some way, you don't necessarily have to try professional teeth whitening right away.

However, if you want some significant results, it might be better to go to a professional. But what do at-home teeth whitening tricks involve anyway? Keep reading and learn more about dental teeth whitening at home and whether or not it's better than going to a professional.

Understanding DIY Teeth Whitening

When it comes to learning how to whiten your teeth at home, there are many tricks you can try, but not all of them are safe for your teeth. For example, one of the most common ways to whiten your teeth is to brush them with baking soda. How might this work exactly, you might ask?

Your tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body, but it can still absorb certain pigments. For example, your teeth will eventually get stained if you drink a lot of coffee, black tea, red wine, or anything else containing strong pigments. This is especially true if you don't often brush your teeth after drinking these substances.

If you were to brush your teeth, you would have the opportunity to remove these pigments from your teeth before they have a chance to stick. Once the stains stick, it can be hard to remove them. Baking soda works by taking off a small amount of your tooth enamel.

What You Need to Know

Baking soda may seem like soft, white powder, but it is actually very abrasive. When you brush your teeth with baking soda, these little grains will scrape along the surface of your teeth and remove some of the top layers. This won't hurt, and you will have the chance to remove the stained layer of your teeth.

As a result, your teeth should look quite a bit whiter. However, as you can imagine, this isn't the safest way to whiten your teeth. If you brush your teeth too often with baking soda, you could take off too much tooth enamel.

As a result, you could develop tooth sensitivity because your tooth enamel is no longer thick enough to protect the nerves inside your teeth. Tooth sensitivity involves feeling pain or discomfort when consuming hot or cold substances. Other DIY methods to remove yellow stains on teeth are similar and not all that safe for your teeth.

For that reason, professional teeth whitening services exist.

The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is better than DIY teeth whitening in every way. Some might argue that you can save some money by whitening your teeth at home, and while this is true, you will still risk your tooth health. For that reason, DIY teeth whitening isn't that much cheaper in the long run because you might need to go to the dentist anyway to fix other dental problems.

Professional teeth whitening is all about removing stains from your teeth safely and effectively. This is not to mention that the whitening agents dentists use are much stronger than anything you could make at home. As a result, your teeth will be far whiter.

This is not to mention that this kind of dental procedure is relatively easy and fast. Usually, it doesn't take any longer than an hour. Most dentists use a type of hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.

However, this isn't any old hydrogen peroxide. Instead, it is concentrated and, as a result, powerful.

Understanding the Teeth Whitening Procedure

The dentist will apply this substance to your teeth and let it sit for a certain period.

As the hydrogen peroxide sits, it will slowly eat away at the stains left on your tooth enamel. This should not hurt at all. In fact, it shouldn't feel much like anything.

Your dentist may also choose to use a special light to help speed up the whitening process, but not all dentists do this. After a certain period, the dentist will remove the hydrogen peroxide gel from your teeth. You will be able to see the difference at once.

Instead of having dull, yellow teeth, you will find that your teeth will be several shades lighter. This is not to mention that this procedure is much safer than brushing your teeth with baking soda. So even though it might cost you more than DIY teeth whitening methods, the professional option is still worth it because it is much more effective.

Everything You Need to Know About Professional and DIY Teeth Whitening

While there are plenty of DIY teeth whitening methods you can try, they will only be able to whiten your teeth to a certain extent. More than that, they might even be harmful to your teeth. Professional teeth whitening services, on the other hand, are much more effective while being much safer at the same time.

To learn more about teeth whitening and other dental care services in Bellefontaine, Ohio, contact us here.

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