Just when you make the decision to contact us for teeth whitening, you may notice an advertisement for a whitening product you can purchase online or from the drugstore. As this option likely offers a very reasonable price and requires very little legwork, it might sound like a dream come true. However, if it’s not offered by a professional dentist and sounds too-good-to-be-true – well, then it probably is. Allow us to offer some insight into the reasons we suggest you avoid over-the-counter (OTC) products and instead suggest you visit us for cosmetic care.

Reason #1: “Whitening” Is Just A Term

Picking up a tube of toothpaste from the drugstore that says “Whitening” on it may offer the slightest bit of whitening when you brush. However, this term falls on a very broad spectrum. If you are looking for serious teeth whitening, your brushing is not going to remove the stains that have occurred beneath the surface of your tooth.

Reason #2: OTC Whitening Is Diluted

The teeth whitening products you see at the drugstore provide diluted formulations. This means that they do not offer the stain-lifting strength of professional whitening systems. Unfortunately, though their formulations are weak, they may still be quite harsh on your teeth.

Reason #3: You May Go Overboard

If you use an OTC teeth whitening product, you will find that the results are not dramatic. You may then think to yourself that using the product just once (or twice) more may offer the effects you were hoping to achieve. The actual result? Damaged, sensitive teeth that are still not brilliant and bright. Skip the DIY attempts and allow us to provide you with personalized, effective care.