Professional Teeth Whitening vs. DIY Teeth Whitening – Which Is Better?

Let’s face it; everyone wants a beautiful white smile, which is why the global teeth whitening market is floating around the $3.78B revenue range as of 2021. In short, teeth whitening is a minimally invasive process that not only delivers you with pearly white teeth and a glowing smile, but can also lead to newfound levels of confidence, self-esteem, and overall happiness. But as wonderful as that reality might be, there has been a long debate on whether people should go with professional teeth whitening or using one of those ‘over the counter’ DIY teeth whitening kits.

Now, if you happen to find yourself teetering on which direction to go in or contemplating which is the best way to whiten teeth, then stick around for a bit! Because below, you’ll find a comprehensive review that deep-dives into the intricacies of both sides, all in an effort to help you make the most educative decision to nail your shading goals.

The Pros and Cons of DIY Teeth Whitening Kits

Let’s kickstart this review by taking a look at DIY teeth whitening kits. In general, DIY teeth whitening kits were designed to be the cheaper, more convenient alternative to professional teeth whitening procedures. These come in many forms, such as teeth whitening paste, strips, tray-based bleaching, and of course, whitening toothpaste. For those with a restricted budget, this could very well be the best way to whiten teeth for you if your goal is to help reverse surface stains caused by consuming certain drinks like coffee and tea, aging, and/or tobacco use in the comfort of your own home.

To see ADA-approved teeth bleaching products along with other approved resources, you can find that here.

But here’s the zinger. As straightforward, cheaper, and convenient as DIY teeth whitening kits might be, they do come with several disadvantages to be aware of. For instance, over-the-counter kits feature much lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, which means you will likely not get the same level of white shading as you would going with a professional service. Other areas of concern include: 

• Risk of damaging your teeth and gums if you attempt to whiten without following the instructions properly.
• Increased risk of painful tooth and gum sensitivity. This is especially true if you have pre-existing oral conditions or undiagnosed cavities.
• Worn down tooth enamel if whitening paste or strips are left on too long. This can be caused by either not following the directions or having the untrue idea that you will gain whiter teeth faster if you leave the whitening agent on longer.
• Not all stains are minor enough for DIY kits to work effectively – aka not getting the whitening outcomes you had hoped for and ultimately wasting your money and time.

Professional Teeth Whitening

If an economical solution is your mission, then DIY teeth whitening kits may be better for you. However, if your goal is to achieve lasting, advanced whitening results, then going with professional services is the route to go. Here at Whiting Dental, professional teeth whitening can last all the way up to a full year depending on the treatment issued and how well you maintain after the fact. In the grand scheme of things, going with a trained density means you are subjecting yourself to more reliable whitening processes, more thorough and stronger whitening experiences to combat even the toughest stains, and customized approaches to fit your needs perfectly. In addition, it is much safer and more comfortable because you have professionals monitoring your progress from every step of the way. So, how does the process work exactly?

1. In-Office Candidacy Consultation – First, you will have a scheduled appointment with your dentist so they can perform a thorough oral examination to determine if you are a good fit for professional teeth whitening services. For instance, if you have any underlying diseases, the whitening bleach could cause some pretty severe pain.
2. Your Teeth Whitening Visit – If all is well and you are cleared to move forward, the next step is the actual process itself. Don’t worry; it’s quick and painless! Once you and your clinician are on the same page with shading goals and expectations, your clinician will prepare you by covering your lips and gums to protect them from the whitening gel.
3. The Actual Whitening – Once you are all set up, the professional-strength gel will be applied to your teeth, and then they will be exposed to a special light so the whitening agent can penetrate your enamel and reach the discolored molecules inside your teeth. This part takes about 15 minutes, which will go by fast as you listen to music or watch TV in your chair.
4. Done! – You’re done! You will likely need to revisit to reapply the whitening gel with the light treatment a few more times to get your desired shade, but that is all this process entails. Simple, right?

All in all, the amount and concentration of whitening agents can be adjusted based on your goals, your gums can be covered for sensitivity protection, and you’ll even get expert advice on post-session care. With that being said, where is the catch? Is there a downside to this like the DIY teeth whitening kits have? The short and sweet of it is that there is only one true pitfall when going with professional teeth whitening services like this – It costs more.

Though the cost can vary based on dentistry reputation and location, Whiting Dental’s average cost for its whitening services is around $399. Keep in mind that this number can sway higher or lower depending on the severity. Nonetheless, this may be a sticker shock to you, and that is perfectly normal to feel drawn away because of it. But note that most dentistry organizations, Whiting Dental included, are willing to work with you and set up an agreed upon payment plan so you can get that professional-grade smile without your wallet taking a massive hit at once. If that sounds more doable for you, make sure to reach out to a clinician and see what type of payment plan you can come up with that cultivates a win-win scenario for the both of you.

As a final note here, remember that in the world of teeth whitening and oral care, cheaper is not always the better route. In fact, you may end up spending more money going with those cheaper DIY teeth whitening kits in the long run due to their lower concentrations than you would during a single professional. Nonetheless, when it comes to your teeth and what you are trying to accomplish in terms of whitening, going with over-the-counter kits or scheduling a whitening appointment is a choice that only you can make for yourself.

Summary – The Choice is Yours!

Professional teeth whitening or DIY teeth whitening kits, there is truly no right or wrong way to go. Each side has the same underlying teeth whitening goal, and both can deliver stunning results in their own authentic way. However, even though both can work, there is no denying that the best way to whiten teeth is to place the torch in the hands of a professional. Yes, it can be a bit costlier upfront, but you are much more likely to have longer-lasting outcomes, whiter shading, and less risk of having teeth/gum sensitivity side effects.

In summary, the decision is entirely up to you, and you are in full control of your teeth whitening approaches. Your teeth, your choice. But just know that if you truly want to revitalize your dulled teeth to statement-making heights and reignite your confidence along the way, then the Whiting Dental team is ready when you are to make that happen.