The Pros and Cons of Home Teeth Whitening treatments

Home treatment plans for teeth whitening have become very popular! You desire a bright white dazzling smile, but you do not have the time to spare for dental appointments and you know that home treatment plans are effective and cheaper, but is cheaper a better option?
The various home treatment plans differ in four main areas namely:

• How easy is it to use the product

• How much does the treatment plan cost

• How much time does it take to perform the steps for the treatment plan

• How long does it take before results will be noticeable

Once you have done the necessary research into the products you are considering and chosen the product that you feel suits your needs the best, there are a few other considerations you need to ponder.

As with any procedure and choice there are a variety of options and a variety of disadvantages, the most common disadvantages reported from home treatments for teeth whitening plans include:

• Sensitive and /or irritated teeth and gums – this occurs as a reaction to the bleaching chemicals in the whitening products, this will normally subside within a few days, but should the discomfort continue you will need to consult your dentist and possibly change your treatment plan completely.

• Discomfort from the teeth whitening trays – this is normally caused when a pre-molded tray is used or the tray was not molded correctly for your teeth at the first use, you will need to consult with your dentist so that he can adjust the tray to suit your teeth.

Studies show that only 78% of home treatments are effective – we advise that you consult with your dentist before you begin a home treatment plan for teeth whitening as the level of discoloration as well as the type of treatment plan you have in mind do play large roles in the effectiveness of the treatment. People who have had dental procedures previously also find that the effectiveness of a home treatment plan is lower than those who have not had any dental procedures before.

Once you have started your treatment plan, it is important that you continue with a maintenance plan. Many people make the mistake of performing the teeth whitening treatment procedures for the allotted time recommended on the specific product, and then leave the whole process till they notice that their teeth are looking dull and yellow again! For long lasting results it’s advisable to have a maintenance plan.
Other ways to ensure that your teeth whitening procedure lasts longer than a month or two include:

• Limit your consumption of dark colored foods like coffee, tea, red wine, alcohol and tobacco.

• Rinse your mouth out thoroughly after each meal.

• Increase your water intake

As with any other procedures, it is important to discuss your plan of action as well as your maintenance plans with teeth whitening specialists, this not only gives you peace of mind as he will know whether the treatment you planning on using is going to be effective for you as an individual but you will also be able to hear an expert’s opinion on the other options available.