Your smile plays a significant role in your appearance and self-esteem. Though teeth can discolor naturally with age or due to highly pigmented foods and beverages, teeth whitening can restore your smile's luster. There are plenty of over-the-counter teeth whitening products, but it's better to receive the service professionally from a dentist. Here's why. 

4 Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

1. A Thorough Whitening Job

When you brighten your teeth at home, it's easy to miss spots, forget treatments, or misapply remedies. You also won't know how your mouth will respond to a store-bought kit until you try it. Teeth whitening at a dental practice is more reliable. You can be confident you'll leave the dentist's chair with a brighter smile and healthy teeth. 

2. Quick Results

It can take days or weeks to notice the results of at-home teeth whitening remedies. If you prefer a slow smile transformation, store-bought whitening kits are ideal. However, professional whitening services produce instant results. A dentist can lift stains off teeth easily, making them look up to eight times more radiant. 

3. Comfortable Treatment

Over-the-counter whitening kits may involve a daily toothpaste regime, dental trays with ointments, brush-on treatments, and other tactics. Some of these methods can be uncomfortable. For instance, you might find store-bought teeth whitening trays uncomfortable, or an at-home whitening remedy could damage gum tissues. 

Receiving professional treatment at a dental office allows you to relax comfortably and know that your teeth and gums are in the hands of an expert. Your dentist can make adjustments on the spot for your comfort, such as covering your gums or reducing the whitening agent's concentration. 

4. Customized Service

Sometimes, a person's teeth will discolor unevenly or require specific treatment to create an even whitening. At-home whitening toothpastes and kits are a one-size-fits-all approach, so they might not work well if you need additional dental care to achieve your smile goals. However, your dentist can determine the best method to brighten your smile in areas you need it most. 

If you're ready to transform your smile, turn to Harold R. Arthur, D.M.D, P.A. Family Dentistry in Live Oak, FL. This dental office serves patients throughout Suwannee County and the surrounding areas. Dr. Arthur and his friendly staff specialize in general and cosmetic dentistry. Whether you need a routine exam, teeth whitening, dentures, or an extraction, they have the tools and expertise to complete the job effectively and with care. Schedule an appointment by calling (386) 330-5181, or visit the practice online to learn more about their services.