Opt for Professional Dental Whitening Instead
As a private dental clinic in Salisbury, we’ve dedicated our lives to the care, treatment, and maintenance of beautiful, healthy smiles. Often, we’re asked about over-the-counter teeth whitening products, notably the Crest Teeth Whitening Strips.
Although such products seem appealing due to their accessibility and affordability, they might not always be the best choice for you. Read on to find out why.
What are Crest Whitening Strips?
A popular over-the-counter teeth whitening product, they are thin, flexible strips coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. You apply them to your teeth by simply sticking the strips onto the surface. The gel on the strips then works to break down stains on the tooth enamel through an oxidation process.
Once applied, the peroxide in the strips penetrates the tooth enamel and breaks down the discoloured molecules that cause the stains. By altering these molecules, the strips lighten the appearance of the stains and make your teeth appear whiter.
While this method is easy to use, it suffers from several drawbacks:
Limited effectiveness
Crest Whitening Strips, and similar products, only cover the front six teeth, thereby giving you limited whitening results. Teeth at the back remain untouched, causing uneven colouration.
On the contrary, professional dental whitening provides comprehensive, even results. Dentists tailor the whitening procedures to each patient’s needs, ensuring all teeth—front and back—are evenly whitened.
Risk of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation
Because Crest Whitening Strips involve the application of a peroxide-based gel on your teeth, this gel can sometimes seep into your gums and lead to gum irritation. Moreover, it can permeate the tooth enamel and reach the nerves, causing tooth sensitivity.
In contrast, dentists like us utilise professional-grade whitening agents while ensuring the gums are properly protected. White Dental Beauty tooth whitening gels contain an active sensitivity management formula, along with a unique mild gel for sensitive teeth. This ultimately minimises the risk of gum irritation or tooth sensitivity.
One size does not fit all
Teeth whitening strips are designed as a one-size-fits-all product. But, every person’s dental structure is unique. Ill-fitting strips can lead to inconsistent whitening, and the bleaching agent might not fully contact the tooth surface.
When you opt for professional whitening, your dentist will apply the whitening agent using a bespoke whitening tray that fits your unique dental structure, ensuring optimal results.
Doesn’t address underlying dental issues
Over-the-counter whitening strips do nothing to address underlying dental problems that could be causing discoloration, such as cavities or tooth decay. This could potentially aggravate these problems, leading to more severe issues down the line.
When you choose professional whitening, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination before treatment to identify any underlying oral health issues that need to be addressed first. That way you won’t be ignoring any underlying problems which could potentially be worsened by increased sensitivity.
No professional guidance
When using Crest Whitening Strips, you are essentially on your own. You might have questions or face difficulties, but there’s no professional to guide you. Overuse or incorrect use of these strips can lead to harmful dental issues that could cause bigger problems in the future.
On the other hand, professional dental whitening offers the expertise of trained dentists. They guide you through the process, answer your queries, and ensure the procedure is done correctly and safely.
Lack of lasting results
While Crest Whitening Strips might initially offer visible results, they are often short-lived, especially if you consume staining foods or drinks or smoke.
Dental professionals not only provide a more long-lasting whitening solution but also offer advice and products to maintain the whitening results. For example, our custom-fitted whitening trays are comfortable and made for you, giving you predictable and consistent results in as little as 1 – 2 weeks.
Why choose The Barn Dental for teeth whitening
While at-home teeth whitening solutions might offer convenience, nothing compares to the relaxing, luxurious environment of our dental clinic, The Barn.
Our practice, housed in a beautifully converted barn amidst the serene countryside of Odstock near Salisbury, offers more than just dental treatments – it’s a haven where we celebrate smiles. We recognise your smile as one of your greatest assets and we have committed ourselves to make every dental visit enjoyable and rewarding for you.
When you opt to get your teeth whitened at The Barn, you’re not just choosing a dental procedure. You’re choosing an experience – an opportunity to relax and pamper yourself in a tranquil setting, all while enhancing your smile under the expert care of our dental professionals.
While Crest Whitening Strips might be a quick, affordable option, they can’t match the effectiveness, safety, and lasting results offered by professional dental whitening.
Before you reach for that box of whitening strips, consider scheduling a consultation at our dental clinic in Salisbury. Our team of experienced dentists will help you achieve that perfect, pearly white smile you’ve always dreamed of.
