Which Is the Best Teeth Whitening:At Home or at the Dentist?

Off-the-shelf teeth whitening kits

You can buy DIY teeth whitening kits from a number of stores and online, but there are some things that you should know before taking the plunge.

The active chemical used to whiten teeth in bleaching gel is hydrogen peroxide.

Off-the-shelf teeth whitening kits can legally only have a maximum of 0.1% peroxide in them, thus making the product less effective.

How good are off-the-shelf teeth whitening kits

The NHS warn that some at home kits can be damaging as they can’t protect your gums and the gel may leak into your mouth.

The product you are buying online may come from another country with less stringent health and safety regulations, meaning that it could contain a higher level of hydrogen peroxide which is damaging to both teeth and gums.

If you have any doubts about a product that you have bought, the best person to ask is always your dentist.

It’s best to buy teeth whitening products directly from your dentist, as they will be able to vouch for the product, assess the suitability of your teeth to the bleaching process, and give you the best possible advice on how to use it safely at home.

Professional at-home teeth whitening

Unlike off the shelf kits, professional at-home teeth whitening kits that have been prescribed by a dentist can legally contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, and you must be over 18 to have this treatment.

Professional at-home teeth whitening kits from your dentist are one of the most effective forms of teeth whitening.

Once the dentist has assessed and secured the health of existing teeth and gums, whitening can safely commence and they will instruct you on how to use the gel safely.

This method involves wearing custom-made trays that contain bleaching gel. You can wear them at night and the procedure will take approximately two to four weeks depending on the level and type of staining.

Dental whitening kits are often the most effective type of whitening given the use of the right product combinations and something we recommend to our patients.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are considering cosmetic dental treatments, ensure your dentist is registered with the General Dental Council. You want to be sure that the person doing your treatment is a professional.

Anyone other than dental professionals offering teeth whitening in the UK, such as beauticians, can be prosecuted.

While many beauticians offer the service on the high street, it is illegal for them to do so if there isn’t a dental professional present.

If a salon gives you the bleaching gel to self-administer whilst they are there, it is still illegal as they are not registered, dental professionals.

Teeth whitening products offered but not administered correctly are breaking the law, such as with the case against Megawhite in 2014.

Maintaining Results

Whichever method you decide to use, you should take care of your newly whitened teeth afterwards.

Avoid substances that can stain your teeth such as tea, coffee and red wine. Always brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

Most importantly, talk to your dentist as their knowledge and expertise can help you to get the results you desire.

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they're talking about and have put together teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry FAQs just for you.

If you have more questions, you can use the teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry questions feature to talk to our panel of trained medical experts.

If you're keen to get started with any of these treatments right away then you're in luck - those clever folks also have a list of trusted, accredited teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry in your area.

Many thanks to the author Dr Jenny Kabir who has an established reputation within the dental industry amongst both patients and peers.

Dr Jenny Kabir has over 20 years of experience in providing the very best in cosmetic dentistry.

Dr Kabir has treated high profile patients including celebrities, singers, models and sports professionals as well as taking referrals from across abroad. Dr Kabir was also selected to be the dentist for both the Manchester 2001 commonwealth games as well as 2012 Olympic games, taking care of the dental health of international athletes.