A bright white smile is ageless! There is no doubt that a beautiful smile can give you a more youthful appearance. The two most common options to getting that brighter smile are to use the OTC whitening kits or have professional whitening procedures done by your dentist.
Although the OTC whitening kits are less expensive, the home-use products must be used over a two-to-four week period while the professional procedure is usually completed in about one hour.
The most common side effect to hyrdrogen or carbamide peroxide (found in most OTC kits) is tooth sensitivity and tissue irritation. Both of these conditions are usually temporary and stop after the treatment.
"The ADA advises patients to consult with their dentists to determine the most appropriate treatment. This is especially important for patients with many fillings, crowns, and extremely dark stains. A thorough oral examination, performed by a licensed dentist, is essential to determine if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment. The dentist then supervises the use of bleaching agents within the context of a comprehensive, appropriately sequenced treatment plan."
