Weighing the Pros and Cons of At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits (2024)

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If you have any amount of tooth discoloration, whitening is an excellent option for brightening your smile. While most dentists offer professional, highly effective in-office treatments for teeth whitening, these may not be covered by your dental insurance. Or you also may prefer to try a method that’s easier to keep up with on your own, which is where at-home teeth whitening kits come in!

Are you considering at-home teeth whitening to manage your tooth discoloration? Here’s what you need to know.

What is an At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit?

An at-home teeth whitening kit—or teeth bleaching kit—is a do-it-yourself alternative to professional teeth whitening treatments, allowing you to manage the whitening process yourself and on your own schedule rather than making an appointment with your dentist. Many of these kits usually come with a teeth whitening gel and trays for application, and some may also include a desensitizing gel or paste to help ease tooth sensitivity.

Other kits resemble clear tape and the gel on each strip is designed to stick to your upper and lower teeth. Also on the market are whitening pens, featuring whitening gels or serums that you paint onto your teeth with a pen-like device.

Should I Try an At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit?

An at-home teeth whitening kit may be right for you if it’s difficult to find time in your busy schedule to see a dentist for regular whitening treatments. But that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone. So you should always discuss your teeth whitening options with your dentist and ask for their recommendation before choosing an at-home teeth whitening kit.

Pros of At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

Teeth whitening kits are a convenient option for whitening your teeth and dealing with tooth discoloration without professional intervention. Whitening kits are practical for those with busy schedules, allowing you to take cosmetic dentistry into your own hands to an extent. At-home teeth whitening kits are also typically much more affordable than professional whitening if you don’t have insurance coverage.

Cons of At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

Although the convenience and affordability of at-home kits are definite benefits, at-home teeth whitening kits are less effective than professional whitening and take longer to show improvement. And even if you do notice improvement, it’s often temporary.

Why? Dentists can safely use much stronger bleaching solutions than you can find it an at-home teeth bleaching kit. Dentists may also use other processes for even better results, like light or heat treatments.

Teeth whitening can also increase tooth sensitivity, and while professional treatments use stronger whitening agents, your dentist can better customize the treatment to your level of sensitivity and monitor the process to avoid damaging teeth and enamel. With at-home treatment, the responsibility for managing and monitoring sensitivity or damage falls to you, which is a risk not worth taking if your teeth are easily sensitive!

What Are My Other Teeth Whitening Options?

At-home teeth whitening kits are not the only way to bleach your teeth! While at-home tooth whitening alternatives aren’t as effective as an in-office whitening gel, there are still things you can try to improve your smile. Other options for whitening your teeth at home include:

• Using a whitening toothpaste
• Whitening rinses
• Or occasionally brushing with baking soda

In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments

If you want the best possible results, the most effective and fastest teeth whitening option is in-office treatments! Professional teeth whitenings are among our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, and in under an hour you’ll be walking out the door with your smile glisteningly white!

How to Care for Teeth After Whitening

Whether you use a teeth whitening kit or have your teeth whitened in-office, taking proper care of your teeth afterward will go a long way toward making the treatments as effective and long-lasting as possible. Here are seven tips for maintaining your teeth after a whitening treatment:

1. Rinse thoroughly: Tooth whitening gels are very acidic, so you should always rinse your mouth thoroughly to get all the acid out of your mouth and protect your teeth from damage.
2. Brush and floss twice daily: Maintaining your oral health is very important, as teeth are more vulnerable after whitening!
3. Wait to brush for half an hour after eating: While your instinct may be to clean your teeth right away to keep them white, brushing too soon after eating sugary or acidic foods may weaken or damage enamel. Give it 30 minutes before you go in for the cleaning!
4. Stay hydrated: Hydration is important for your whole body, and that includes your teeth!
5. Use remineralizing gel: Healthy minerals can get stripped off of your teeth from whitening. Remineralizing gel can help rebuild and fortify your teeth!
6. Avoid dark or acidic foods and beverages: Fans of black coffee or red wine may dislike this recommendation, but it’s important. For 48 hours after whitening, avoid eating highly pigmented or acidic foods such as coffee, dark teas, tomato-based products, vinegar, soy sauce, or red wine.
7. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco: Smoking and tobacco can very easily stain your teeth, especially directly following a tooth whitening! (And even if you’re not using whitening products, quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is a smart move for your overall health.)

Let Us Refresh Those Pearly Whites!

We understand if you want to give DIY tooth whitening a try and are happy to make some recommendations! But if you don’t get the results you’re hoping for and are ready to give in-office tooth whitening a go, contact us to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to see the bright smile on your face when you see the shining results!

Amy Hahn2024-02-20T15:10:38-06:00February 20th, 2024|Blog|

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