KOMOKA, Ontario, Nov. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Professional teeth whitening is superior to at-home kits, and the American Dental Association recommends that anyone considering it should consult their dentist before undergoing any procedure. Those undergoing at home teeth whitening may not be aware of the risks and side effects of the ingredients contained in the kit, and that it is important to consult a dentist to determine if whitening is an appropriate option.
At the Viana Family Dental Centre in Komoka, ON, dentist Paulo Viana provides professional teeth whitening services to his patients. He says that choosing the professional option can bring many benefits over selecting a do-it-yourself whitening kit. "Over the last five years or so, home teeth whitening has hit the market in a big way," he says. "People are attracted to the convenience of this option, but what they don't realize is that attempting to whiten the teeth in this way can actually make them look worse."
That's because the at-home kits can sometimes be effective only on certain sections of the teeth, says Dr. Viana. Consumers have complained about spots on their teeth after using such systems and the results can be disastrous. Instead of uniform dull teeth, the consumer can be left with portions of their teeth that are white while the rest of the teeth are not. This causes even more attention to be focused on the person's imperfect smile.
"The advantages to selecting professional whitening are numerous," says Dr. Viana. "First, dentists use high quality, prescription grade ingredients in our gels that are not available over the counter. Second, dental professionals have access to equipment that is only sold to licensed practitioners, and we know how to use it to ensure the patient's complete safety." Dr. Viana went on to explain that at-home whitening kits come with risks. "None of the do-it-yourself kits are customized to the patient," he says. "This can result in ill-fitting trays and strips, which in turn can cause severe irritation of the gums and acute pain."
As for the overall benefits of teeth whitening, Dr. Gulbadan Kaur Randhawa, another dentist in the Viana practice, says having a whiter smile can improve a patient's general appearance and confidence. "For many of our patients, improving their appearance is just as important as good dental health. When they come to us to brighten their teeth, it gives us the opportunity to boost their entire quality of life. Seeing their dazzling white smile is the best reward," she says.
Viana Family Dental Centre offers a full range of dental services including crowns and caps; dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry. They are open Monday through Friday with morning and afternoon appointments available and Saturdays by appointment only. They are closed on Sundays.