Are Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits Good For Me?

Teeth whitening is a procedure a lot of people would undergo in their quest to possess the perfect set of teeth. However, the methods through which individuals achieve this differ. Some people try to minimize costs by using some DIY techniques like brushing with hydrogen peroxide, baking powder, etc. Some other people try to use fairly standard methods such as purchasing a take-home whitening kit. Lastly, some people book an appointment with a dental professional to undergo a standard, long-lasting and professional teeth whitening procedure.

Teeth whitening kits are a collection of trays and tubes of whitening gel or whitening syringes, used to whiten the teeth. These kits come in various packages. Some various types of whitening kits include either a moldable tray, prefilled tray, or trays and LED lights.

Teeth whitening home kits come in two forms. The first one is a professional kit that can only be obtained from a dentist or dental professional. They mostly contain a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They cost almost as much as a professional teeth whitening makeover costs in a dental clinic. Therefore, most people opting for a take-home teeth whitening kit never take this option.

The second type is the most common type of take-home teeth whitening kit. They are over-the-counter whitening kits. Over-the-counter(OTC) teeth whitening kits are the cheapest option available for teeth whitening. They are easy to use as they come with DIY instructions. But, do they work?

Why Do People Need Teeth Whitening?

The teeth get stained due to the buildup of stains from the food and drinks we take. The teeth have pores that absorb the color of our foods and drinks. As a result, the teeth darken or become discolored over a long period. Also, the buildup of plaques that harden to become tartar stains the teeth.

Teeth whitening is one of the most effective methods of returning the teeth to their natural color.

How Does An Over-The-Counter (OTC) Teeth Whitening Kit Work?

An over-the-counter teeth whitening kit is pretty simple to use. It is a DIY kit with a manual and doesn’t require the presence of a dental professional to use.

Pre-filled and moldable tray whitening kit

These are heated up to mold on your teeth. It bleaches your teeth with the use of hydrogen peroxide as the whitening agent. The bleaching is triggered as soon as the whitening agent makes contact with your teeth. The plastic trays can be taken on and off and filled with the whitening gel as needed. This type of kit produces a fairly desirable result.

Kits with LED lights

It might also come with a pre-filled and moldable tray. A LED light is attached to the trays to activate the whitening gel and begin the whitening process. The LED light also enhances the effect of the bleaching agent which might cause it to produce a slightly better result.

OTC teeth whitening kits’ bleaching agents need to be left in contact with the teeth for at least an hour to produce results.

Do Take-Home Whitening Kits Work?

Take-home whitening kits are the cheapest option available for teeth whitening. This says a lot about their effectiveness.

Take-home whitening kits do work but not without their limitations. Due to the absence of dental professionals and the mildness of the bleaching agents used, they do not produce perfect results.

Limitations Of Teeth Whitening Kits

Regulation of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in take-home whitening kits. Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can only contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide in some countries. This is relatively small compared to the 6% concentration that is allowed in a dentist’s kit.

Take-home teeth whitening kits also come with a considerable amount of risk. You risk causing blisters and sensitivity in your mouth in case of a leak of the bleaching agents onto your gums and mouth. The effects of teeth whitening kits might not last as long as a teeth whitening session with a dentist would. Finally, teeth whitening without training and dental qualifications put your oral health at great risk.

Take-home teeth whitening kits might look like the cheapest option but might not be the best option for you. Consult your dentist for the safety of your oral health.