Take-Home Whitening Kits vs. Store-Bought: What’s the Difference?

Millions of people around the world are unhappy with their smiles. In most cases, it’s because they suffer from tooth staining and discoloration. Luckily, there are many ways you can eliminate them and obtain the stunning, bright grin you’ve always wanted. Teeth whitening kits are one of the most popular solutions for a discolored smile – but how do you choose between professional and store-bought ones? Read along to learn some key differences between the two.

Professional Take-Home Whitening Kits

If you’re interested in brightening your smile, your cosmetic dentist can help you accomplish just that with professional take-home whitening kits. They’ll supply you with a dental-grade bleaching gel and custom-made trays so you can whiten your teeth at home. The process involves placing the gel in the trays and wearing them for a predetermined amount of time every day. After two weeks, your pearly whites should be several shades brighter!

Store-Bought Whitening Kits

Over-the-counter whitening products are certainly convenient, but they’re not always the safest option for your oral health. The bleaching compounds typically contain lower concentrations of whitening agents than dentist-prescribed methods. To make up for that, some products (like whitening toothpaste) rely on abrasives for the mechanical removal of extrinsic stains. Although your teeth will look brighter after using these products, consistent use can wear down the enamel on your teeth over time. If your only option is store-bought kits, choose whitening strips. Instead of using an abrasive material, they rely primarily on peroxide to bleach teeth.

Things You Should Know Before Buying Store-Bought Whitening Kits

Before you commit to an expensive whitening kit, here are a few things you should know.

It’s Unknown If the Ingredients Are Safe

Most LED whitening kits use a combination of sodium bicarbonate and sodium chlorite. Unfortunately, there’s not enough research proving these products are safe to use combined with an LED light. If you use these products regularly, you could be damaging your smile in the process.

They Contain Lower Concentrations of Bleaching Agents

In some areas, only dentists are legally able to obtain and use higher concentrated bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide. Even though store-bought kits contain about 18% of the active ingredient, it’s not enough to achieve the same results as you would get at a dentist.

The Trays Won’t Fit You Perfectly

When you seek professional whitening treatment, your dentist will supply you with a custom-made tray. They’ll use dental impressions to fabricate a tray that’s perfectly molded to your teeth, ensuring the gel gets placed evenly on your pearly whites. Although some DIY kits come with trays you can mold onto your teeth, the results are not as good as the ones a dentist can make you.

Results Aren’t Long-Lasting

There is no permanent solution for a whiter smile. However, professional teeth whitening can give you a bright grin that lasts about six months to a year. On the other hand, store-bought kits can only keep your teeth white for about one to three months.

Ultimately, it’s best to use professional teeth whitening products because they’ve been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). With the help of your dentist, you can have a beautiful, radiant smile you’ll never stop showing off!

About the Author

Dr. Nicholas Mueller (just call him Dr. Nick!) earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota and his dental doctorate at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, Wisconsin Dental Association, and the International Association of Orthodontics. To schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry at Shorewood Family Dentistry, visit our website or call us today at 414-332-8150.