Professional vs. Over the Counter Teeth Whitening: Which is Better?

You have a special event coming up, and you think you're prepared. You have your attire, your accessories, a new hairstyle, and you're camera-ready. You take some photos and feel good about the night.

Then the pictures come back and all you can see is the yellow in your teeth.

Don't let yourself get stuck with those regrets. Teeth whitening can give you brighter teeth in a hurry, and there are plenty of options. When it comes down to it, though, which is best: professional treatments or over the counter teeth whitening?

There are pros and cons to both choices, so it's all about finding the right one for your situation. Here are the pros and cons you need to consider:

Pros of Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening from an experienced cosmetic dentist might be the perfect way to brighten your smile. Here's why:

The Perfect Balance Between Results and Health

As effective as teeth whitening chemicals are, they can damage your teeth if you don't use them the right way. This is the largest advantage of getting treatment from a dentist: they know how to produce results without sacrificing your health. After all, tooth decay isn't a great look either.

This isn't to say that home whitening kits aren't safe. They're developed by medical professionals, but medical supervision is always an added benefit.

Stronger Results

As much care as a dentist puts into helping your teeth, they're also able to produce stronger results. Dentists have access to stronger equipment because of their qualifications and ability to use it safely.

On top of better results, professional whitening is also equipped to deal with stubborn stains. Certain teeth stains are harder to remove than others, and some of them are resistant to over the counter options. In these cases, a dentist may be able to achieve the results you want.

Cons of Professional Teeth Whitening

Of course, there would be no decision to make if professional teeth whitening didn't have its downside. Here are the factors you need to consider:

Treatments Can Be Expensive

For most people who choose over the counter teeth whitening, the cost is the largest factor. Between the cost of the equipment and the doctor's time, professional whitening is pricey.

A typical teeth whitening appointment costs hundreds of dollars and insurance doesn't cover cosmetic procedures. Keep in mind that the cost varies based on your cosmetic goals, the type of whitening your dentist uses, and other circumstances. Before you assume it isn't in your budget, ask your dentist for a price range.

Treatments Are Inconvenient

Another concern some patients have about professional teeth whitening is the procedure can be a challenge on their schedule. It's not always easy to work a dental appointment into your schedule.

The good news is that professional teeth whitening is more convenient than it used to be. Older whitening methods required several sessions and took a few weeks to complete. Today, most whitening methods only take one appointment.

Pros of Over the Counter Teeth Whitening

As with any medical treatment, it's important to consider all your options for teeth whitening. Several companies produce whitening kits and products you can buy at most drug stores to whiten your teeth at home. Here are the benefits they offer:

Less Expensive

While it's undisputed that professional teeth whitening gets stronger results, home whitening a cheaper alternative. Kits come in a range of prices based on their quality. Most will cost between $20 and $80.

There are also more expensive kits that involve a custom mold with whitening gel. These products are more expensive and they may take more time, but many patients find that they offer better results.

Easy On a Busy Schedule

If you're struggling to fit that whitening appointment into your schedule, home whitening is enticing. After all, you can apply the gel or whitening strips and go about your business. In most cases, you'll leave on the medication for about half an hour per day.

Cons of Over the Counter Teeth Whitening

While the low cost and convenience are attractive, there are downsides to whitening your teeth at home as well.

Risk of Misuse

With professional teeth whitening, you have a dentist's oversight so you don't overdo it or misuse the products. With home teeth whitening kits, you don't have that advantage.

Whitening kits come with specific instructions that you need to follow to the letter. If not, you may damage your teeth's enamel or your teeth may hurt when you eat hot or cold foods.

Less Control Over Your Results

As you would expect, the lower cost of home whitening comes with lower quality results. Home whitening kits have a limited scope compared to professional whitening treatments. They tend to whiten teeth by one shade while professional treatments can achieve several shades of improvement.

The results you get from home whitening kits also don't tend to last as long as professional results. Keep in mind, though, that you should try to prolong all whitening results by limiting stain-heavy items like coffee and red wine.

Longer Wait for Results

As we mentioned above, you complete most professional teeth whitening treatments in one session. If you're preparing for a special event and you have a limited amount of time, this may be the way to go.

Home teeth whitening, on the other hand, takes several weeks to complete because the products aren't as strong.

Choosing the Perfect Teeth Whitening Treatment Option

As we mentioned above, you complete most professional teeth whitening treatments in one session. If you're preparing for a special event and you have a limited amount of time, this may be the way to go.

The key is choosing the perfect option for your needs, whether it's a professional treatment or over the counter teeth whitening. The pros and cons above can help you get started, but it's important to get all the information based on your specific situation. To talk to our dentists about your options, schedule a dental appointment .