Most people wish they had a whiter, brighter smile. But with so many options, most people find themselves asking, “which one should I use?” There are in fact differences between the in- office treatment and the at- home whitening kits you find on the shelves. Below are a few of those differences to help you choose the best option for you.
- The amount of hydrogen peroxide differs between the products. Most at-home products contain about 10%-22% carbamide peroxide, which is equivalent to about 3% hydrogen peroxide. The in- office whitening products contain somewhere between 15%-43% of hydrogen peroxide, making the bleaching agent much stronger.
- With the at- home bleaching kit administered by your dentist, you will have custom whitening trays made specifically for your teeth. A custom tray is also trimmed to your exact gum line minimizing the contact it has with the bleach. Over the counter products go by the one size fits all approach which will not be an exact fit. With this, the product can seep into the gums causing sensitivity and irritability.
- In-office treatment allows the dentist to monitor the process in case of a problem and knows your complete dental history. With the over the counter products, you are doing everything on your own.
