What’s the Deal with Teeth Whitening?

Sometimes blog ideas come from the strangest places—I can only write about affordable dental plans so many times before I have to start getting creative. As I was trying to decide what to write this week I suddenly heard Jerry Seinfeld’s voice in my head saying, “What’s the deal with teeth whitening?” (You know exactly what I’m talking about.) So there you have it! This week we are going to take a look into the ins and outs of teeth whitening all thanks to that quintessential Seinfeld voice in my head…

If you stroll down the oral care section at any drug store you’ll see tons of products—everything from toothpastes to special kits—promising you whiter teeth. Look through the deals on Groupon or any other discount deal site and you’re sure to find at least one deal on a professional teeth whitening service. These days we are bombarded with the subtle suggestion that our teeth should be whiter than they are. But what IS the deal with teeth whitening?

The pros of the treatment are pretty obvious: Having your teeth whitened is likely to make a big difference in the way your smile looks. I mean, who wouldn’t want a whiter, brighter smile? Those who choose a professional teeth whitening service done in a dentist office will see faster results; one 60-90 minute session is often enough to make a significant difference in the color of your teeth. Choosing a professional whitening service also gives you the opportunity to have a more personalized treatment. When you have a dentist whitening your teeth your individual needs can be taken into consideration by a professional who knows what they are doing. The store bought whitening kits will give you results as well, but since these kits use a smaller concentration of bleaching agents your results will not be as dramatic.

There are a few potential downsides to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to whiten your teeth. In some cases teeth whitening can cause tooth and gum sensitivity. When you choose professional, in-office whitening this risk is minimized. But this brings us to the second downside: the cost. In-office treatments can cost you a pretty penny, even with some kind of online deal. The store-bought kits are less expensive, but they certainly cost more than your regular toothpaste and floss purchases.

In the end, this is the deal with teeth whitening: It’s a personal choice. It’s up to you to decide what whiter teeth are worth to you. All I can do is arm you with some information and send you on your way. Just remember, whether or not you decide to brighten your smile, regular cleanings are still a must for proper oral care. The discount dental plans we offer here at Ameriplan will help you and your family keep up with those regular cleanings. Maybe you’ll decide to spend some of that money you’ll save on a little teeth whitening.