Looking for Whiter Teeth? At-Home vs In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments

Blessed as we are with year-round sunny skies, St Petersburg residents often feel the need to match the bright climate – whether it is with a fabulous tan, extra-bright clothes, or a pearly smile. A perfect set of white teeth are considered one of the best signs of good health you can put on your social resume.

Any trip to the local pharmacy will reveal an abundance of available products that promise to erase years of coffee use. It would seem technology has made in-office teeth whitening treatments obsolete. But do the pharmacy kits and strips do what they promise? And perhaps more importantly, do they do it safely?

Opening Pandora’s Box: At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments

It is impossible to lump all teeth whitening treatments available in St Petersburg in one neat category, as there has never been as big a variety as there is now. Roughly, they can be separated into three categories: the alternative home remedies, supermarket-range toothpaste or mouthwashes with added whitening action, and single-day over the counter whitening strips or gels.

Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening

For those looking for quick results and low prices, this category will almost always be one of the first ones to be considered. A quick Google search will offer dozens of different methods, using baking soda, activated charcoal, or even vinegar, which promise to restore teeth back to their original color.

We are sorry to say that these treatments are also a major gamble: most of them don’t really work, or only provide minimally-noticeable results. Occasionally, some of the recipes suggested can also be dangerous. Our recommendation: don’t try them before checking with your dentist.

Low-grade Whitening Toothpaste or Rinses

Normal dental hygiene products that simply offer a little whitening boost are now easy to find across any St. Petersburg drugstore. These over the counter products are quite mild, and for the most part, tested enough to ensure that they are safe. They also tend to be relatively cheap.

Don’t expect miracles, though: they tend to require daily application for a couple of weeks before results are noticeable.

Whitening trays and stay-on gels

These tend to be significantly stronger than regular whitening toothpaste, and usually need to stay on the teeth for an hour or two. Their active ingredient is almost always hydrogen peroxide, and they come in a wide variety of strengths and concentrations. The stronger the formula, the faster and brighter results you’ll get – but you will also be increasing the chances of an adverse reaction. People with sensitive skin or bleeding gums are at a higher risk of presenting the occasional burn or irritation, especially when they leave them on for too long.

In addition, their excessively frequent use can damage the dentin that protects the teeth enamel, which may end up creating grayer or browner teeth in the long run.

Professional Teeth Whitening: What Are You Really Paying For?

Despite the wide variety of drugstore choices available, there continues to be a big demand for professional teeth whitening. These treatments come in one of two methods.

In-office custom-made whitening trays

At first glance, these are very similar to the more expensive ones you’d buy at the local drugstore. However, each one of them is molded precisely to the shape of your teeth and mouth. Then, UV lights are applied to "activate them". You’ll have to sit tight while this is done, but you’ll get the following benefits:

• The dentist will be there checking for any adverse reaction
• The time of application can be adjusted to provide a noticeable, but realistic improvement
• The dentist will take into account any cavities, crowns, or dental work you’ve had done
• Sometimes, he or she may also scrub your teeth directly if any pervasive stains are spotted

Take-home whitening trays

Just like the ones applied in office, these trays are also molded directly to your teeth. However, you’ll have to apply them yourself at home. Therefore, they will be cheaper than the ones done in the office, but you will still be getting a clinical-strength product that is not available at a regular drugstore. Your dentist will also provide you with strict instructions, and if you follow them the chance of injury or an adverse reaction will be minimal.

Choosing the Best Method for YOU

Let’s not kid ourselves: the temptation to sport a perfectly pearly smile is a hard one to resist, and here in St Petersburg, it’s widely considered to be the perfect complement to a healthy tan. If your teeth are moderately well-kept and have not been stained by cigarettes or any prolonged condition, you may find that the mild whitening provided by special toothpaste is enough.

As wedding and graduation season rolls around, more and more people feel the pressure of quick and fast results. In such cases, a professional tooth whitening will provide the best results. If your budget won’t allow it, just make sure to play it safe: be careful if you have any history of gum disease or cavities, follow package instructions to the letter, and keep someone around to help you if you feel any burning or stinging sensation.

Finally, remember that the most beautiful smile is a healthy, sincere one!