The desire and trend for whiter teeth have continuously been on the rise for the past couple of years. When it comes to teeth bleaching, current choices include non-prescription over-the-counter whitening kits, professionally prescribed bleaching kits, and professionally applied in-office bleaching. The lingering question is should you go for OTC or in-office bleaching?
A consultation with your dentist here at Advanced Family Dentistry in Parsippany, NJ, will determine the best teeth whitening solution for your case. Meanwhile, here are some crucial facts that make one option more effective than the other.
It’s All About The Peroxide
The common question from those contemplating OTC home teeth whitening vs. in-office bleaching is, is there a difference in the level of clean, white look that they can get? The answer to this boils down to whether you want carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.
All whitening agents rely on a peroxide solution to deliver their intended results. The difference between hydrogen and carbamide peroxide can be seen in the results they can deliver when dealing with surface stains. There is also a difference in how both can deal with intrinsic stains. Likewise, the strength of both whitening agents varies based on their peroxide content.
Milder agents have only about 10% peroxide, while stronger solutions have around 40%. OTC home teeth whitening products are known to have the lowest concentration of peroxide. On the other hand, whitening agents used in in-office bleaching use the strongest concentration in the market.
Put simply, in-office teeth whitening delivers cleaner, whiter, and longer-lasting results for your teeth. Your dentist in Parsippany, NJ, will also be able to give you options regarding the level of whiteness you want to achieve.
What You Should Know About Intrinsic and Extrinsic
These are the types of stains that you have on your teeth. The basic hydrogen peroxide solution you can find in OTC home teeth whitening products work only on extrinsic stains. Drinking soda, coffee, or wine causes a stain on the enamel or the outer layer of your teeth. If you use tobacco products or have been smoking for quite some time, then your teeth will definitely have extrinsic brown stains.
Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are more stubborn and harder to treat because they discolor the dentin or the inner part of the tooth. Intrinsic stains commonly manifest as yellow or dark-colored stains. They’re likewise normally associated with illnesses, injuries, or other issues you may have experienced.
So the choice of whether to use OTC home teeth whitening or in-office bleaching can also depend on the type of stain you have on your teeth. In general, in-office whitening solutions are considered the best choice when it comes to staining and discoloration classified as intrinsic. Further, they’re also highly capable of eliminating extrinsic stains with fewer treatments and more dazzling results.
For More Questions or Advice on Teeth Whitening, Talk to Us
Call (973) 263-7300 to book a visit here at Advanced Family Dentistry in Parsippany, NJ, with your dentist Dr. Marco Fernandez.