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Professional Teeth Whitening vs. White Strips

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You are probably aware that there are many teeth whitening options that you can pick from. Today, our Halifax dentists share the differences between professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter whitening strips. 

When compared to white strips, professional teeth whitening can cost more. On the other hand, the extra expense might be worth it if you want a whitening method that can be both convenient and effective.

White Strips

Teeth whitening strips that you can purchase over-the-counter remove surface stains from your teeth, and you can simply buy a box at the pharmacy without having to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

While, these kinds of products have some advantages, they also have some disadvantages.

First of all, they can be tricky to use and can easily slip out of place. Also, some of the more advanced white strips can begin to get pricey. This can be extremely inconvenient to deal with! In addition to this, white strips might not whiten all of your teeth effectively. Generally, they are only designed to fit over the six (or so) front teeth at the top and bottom of your mouth.

If want to get a significantly whiter smile, white strips might not give you the results you are hoping for (according to some, mind you). This is due to the fact that they usually only remove some of the surface stains on your teeth and do not lighten the actual colour of your teeth in any way.

Professional Whitening

Generally, there are two types of Professional whitening services you can pick from based on your preferences and needs. 

In-office whitening is completed at your dentist's office over the course of one or two individual sessions. Take-home teeth whitening trays, as prescribed by your dentist, offer results that are similar to those you could get with in-office whitening.

By using your custom-made take-home trays (which will be customized to fit the shape of your teeth), you will apply the bleaching formula to your teeth two times a day for a set period of time, or until you get the desired results. The tray system provides patients with the most flexibility and lets them whiten their teeth on their schedule. After that, a touch-up every few months is usually all that's required to maintain a nice sparkle to your teeth.

Deciding between these options is generally a matter of personal preference, While your dentist may recommend the milder at-home option if you have sensitive teeth.

The results are the same with either option: professional teeth whitening, in most cases, produces an overall brighter and whiter appearance compared to over-the-counter options because it lightens the colour of your teeth in addition to removing stains. This is accomplished through the use of a more powerful bleaching formula, which your dentist has access to.

Contact our Halifax dentists today and book your consultation to find out which teeth whitening services we offer.


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(902) 443-9999