Professional Teeth Whitening vs Home Kits: Which Is Safer?

• ✓Whitening toothpastes mainly remove surface stains and rarely change the natural shade of the tooth.
• ✓Home kits can work, but they are used without an examination, so cavities or gum disease can be missed.
• ✓Professional whitening is supervised, protects your gums and is matched to your teeth.
• ✓Whitening only changes the colour of natural enamel, not crowns, fillings or veneers.
• ✓Sensitivity is common but usually temporary, so tell your dentist about it beforehand.

• ❖Whitening toothpaste: uses mild abrasives and polishing agents to remove surface stains. It can make teeth look cleaner but rarely changes their natural shade.
• ❖Home kits, strips and gels: contain a whitening agent, usually at a lower strength than a dentist would use. Results vary and depend on following the instructions and on how well the product fits your teeth.
• ❖Professional whitening: a dentist applies a peroxide-based gel after protecting your gums and lips, controls the timing and can match the treatment to your teeth.

1. Your teeth are checked first. The dentist looks for cavities, gum disease and worn enamel that could make whitening uncomfortable or unsuitable.
2. Your gums and lips are protected while the gel is applied, which reduces the risk of irritation.
3. Strength and timing are matched to you, so treatment can be adjusted if your teeth are sensitive.
4. Results are often noticeable in a single visit, and the dentist can check the shade as the treatment progresses.
5. You get advice on aftercare and maintenance, including sensitivity, staining foods and when a touch-up is worthwhile.

Used as directed, many home products are reasonably safe, but they carry more risks than supervised treatment. Ill-fitting trays can irritate the gums, results can be uneven, overuse can cause sensitivity, and whitening teeth that have untreated decay can be painful.

Be especially careful with home remedies such as lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda scrubs and charcoal powders. They are acidic or abrasive and can wear away enamel over time, which makes teeth more sensitive and can make them look more yellow.

• ✓You have untreated cavities or gum disease, which should be treated first
• ✓You have very sensitive teeth. Speak to your dentist so that treatment can be adjusted
• ✓You have crowns, veneers or large fillings on visible teeth, because they will not change colour and may no longer match
• ✓You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Many dentists advise waiting until afterwards
• ✓You are a child or young teenager, because dentists usually advise waiting until the teeth have fully developed

1. Examination and cleaning: a check-up and a scale and polish so that the gel can work evenly.
2. Protection and application: your gums and lips are protected and the whitening gel is applied to your teeth.
3. Shade check: the dentist monitors the result and finishes the treatment when your teeth reach the shade you agreed.
4. Aftercare: for the first day or two, avoid tea, coffee, cola, red wine and smoking, and use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if advised.

To see how whitening works at our clinic, read our page on teeth whitening in Indore. Regular cleanings, good brushing and limiting tea, coffee and tobacco help your results last longer.

• ❖All dental services in Indore: general, cosmetic and specialist care.
• ❖Teeth whitening in Indore: how professional whitening works at Dental Planet.
• ❖General dental care in Indore: cleaning before whitening.
• ❖Crowns, bridges and dentures: matching restorations to whitened teeth.