There are many available teeth whitening options, with your two main options being store-bought whitening products or going to a dentist. Two reasons to have you dentist whiten your teeth are effectiveness and increased options.

Effectiveness

The main reason to see your dentist instead of using store-bought whitening toothpaste, trays, strips, or mouthwash is because they dentist will be far more effective. While store-bought whitening products can whiten your teeth, they will usually take a while to work. If your teeth have been stained for a long time, or if the stains are extremely dark, then the whitening products you can pick up at your local grocery store may not do more than slightly whiten your teeth.

However, if you visit your dentist for teeth whitening, you will often see results by the end of your first appointment. In many cases, you can often have your teeth completely whitened after only a few appointments. The increased effectiveness is due to the tools at your dentist's disposal, such as powerful bleaching agents, custom-fitted whitening trays, and ultraviolet lights (for light-assisted whitening).

Options

Visiting your dentist to get your teeth whitened will also allow you to have access to an increased number of options to help you improve the appearance of your teeth. For example, if one whitening technique is not working as well as you had hoped, the dentist can try a different method.

In addition, if you do not like the idea of having to keep whitening trays in your mouth for an extended period of time, then your dentist can choose an option that does not require them, such as using light-assisted whitening in his or her office. This is a great option if you are sensitive to the traditional bleaching agents, or if you simply find the whitening trays uncomfortable.

Finally, if you want immediate results, of if the normal whitening options are not working well enough, then your dentist can utilize porcelain veneers. These veneers are made from a very thin layer of porcelain and are meant to be bonded to the exterior surface of your teeth. The veneers are designed to make your teeth look perfectly white and healthy, and offer quick results because they can be applied over the course of a single appointment.

Speak to your dentist today about your whitening options. A dentist such as Michael E. Peterson, DDS at Lake Harbor Dental is your best option when it comes to teeth whitening due to the increased effectiveness and number of treatment options he or she offers.