Whitening teeth is a popular trend for those who would like to improve their smile.
There are basically two ways to go about this process: seeking professional help or purchasing an at-home, DIY kit.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each option.
Professional Teeth Whitening: Pros
Immediate Results
The first thing to point out is that professional teeth whitening will have immediate results.
There is no waiting around, you can see the changes as they happen immediately and this leads to a more satisfying experience.
Fast Procedure
Another benefit to going with a professional teeth whitening procedure is that the process can be conducted fairly quickly.
A dentist will be able to get your teeth whiter in one or two sessions and you’ll notice the results right away.
Little Discomfort
Professional teeth whitening procedures are generally not very painful and this means that they will be more comfortable than doing them yourself.
There is also a certain level of privacy that you get when you do it with a dentist because they understand your situation and will not be as likely to tell people about your teeth whitening procedure which many people may be concerned about.
Professional Teeth Whitening: Cons
Cost
The biggest downside to professional teeth whitening is the cost, which can range from about $400 to as much as $1000 depending on the dentist and how many sessions it takes to get your teeth whitened.
It’s also unlikely they’ll be able to give you any kind of warranty or guarantee that you will have a certain level of results, so if they don’t get you to the whiteness that you’d like then there is little recourse.
Not Permanent
Whether you pay a professional or choose a DIY option, the effects of teeth whitening will fade and you’ll have to go in for touch-ups.
This can be especially disappointing if you have paid a great deal for your treatment.
Booking Appointments
It can be hard to get an appointment for professional teeth whitening and this means that it can take a lot of time.
You might not be able to book appointments until only a certain amount of time has passed because the dentist will need to see your results before recommending another treatment session.
DIY Teeth Whitening: Pros
More Affordable
Whereas cost can be a downside for professional teeth whitening, with the DIY option, it’s one of the benefits! You can pay as little or as much money as you want to get your teeth whitened.
Convenient
It’s very convenient to get your teeth whitening done at home because you are in control of the entire process and you don’t have any appointments, you can do it whenever you want with no need of being afraid of the dentist!
Satisfying Results
Many people who choose an at-home DIY teeth whitening kit claim to have just as much satisfaction with their results as people who opt for the professional option.
This is because at-home kits are designed to be just as effective and can provide excellent results with a simple procedure.
DIY Teeth Whitening: Cons
Time Consuming
“Probably one of the biggest downsides to DIY whitening: it takes a very long time!”
Your teeth will probably not be as white as you’d like after this amount of time, so you’ll have to repeat this process numerous times if you are looking for the very best results.
No Support
Should something go wrong, say you have a bad reaction to the teeth whitening chemicals or you’re not seeing results, you’re on your own.
There is no one to help you if something goes wrong and you may end up wanting to have a professional do it anyway.
Not Permanent
Just as is the case for professional teeth whitening, the DIY option doesn’t create permanent results. To keep up with your sparkling white teeth, you’ll have to continuously go through the whitening process over time.
Conclusion
Both options have benefits and drawbacks, so it’s really just up to each individual to what they prefer. Some people won’t trust anyone other than a professional to touch their teeth while others take advantage of the more affordable, convenient option of doing it at home. It’s really up to you!
