I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
Over the last few decades, the number of products offered to whitening teeth has grown and grown, but the best treatments are still those offered by a dentist. In general, you'll be able to choose between at-home teeth whitening and in-office laser whitening.
With at-home whitening, your dentist will make a pair of trays to fit over the upper and lower teeth. You will then apply whitening gel to them and wear them for several hours each day, usually while asleep. In-office laser bleaching uses the same sort of gel, but it is activated with a laser light and takes around an hour.
Both options can leave you with the pearly whites that you desire, but here are just four signs that you'll be better of going for in-office laser whitening.
1. You Need Immediate Results
Far and away the most compelling reason to opt for laser whitening is that you will enjoy the effects very quickly. When you use at-home whitening trays, you'll need to keep wearing them for several weeks, but laser whitening can be completed in a single dentist's visit. It's always nice to get something sooner rather than later, and this could be a key consideration if you're having your teeth whitened for a special occasion, such as a wedding, that is only a few days away.
2. You Suffer from Sensitive Teeth
The gel used to whiten your teeth won't do them any harm. However, many patients report increased levels of sensitivity, which can make eating and drinking anything hot or cold into something of an ordeal. If you already have sensitive teeth, this can become particularly unpleasant. Laser whitening is preferred in this case since the procedure can be completed quickly; this means you won't be suffering from sensitivity over a number of weeks.
3. You're Worried About Handling Things Yourself
Whitening trays are generally quite easy to use, but many people would rather let a professional take care of things. The errors that you can make with at-home trays, such as using too much or too little gel, aren't going to put you in harm's way, but they can compromise the effectiveness of the procedure. A dentist will take care of everything during an in-office laser whitening treatment. All you'll need to do is sit back and relax.
4. You Have Trouble Sleeping
Finally, keep in mind that whitening trays need to be kept in for several hours at once, and most people will only be able to fit this period in while they are asleep; after all, you can't eat or even talk particularly well with them in. If you have trouble sleeping, you're likely to find it very hard to get some shut-eye when you have to wear whitening trays. Best to go with a laser treatment.
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