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Do you practice excellent oral health habits but still lack the color you desire in your smile? Are your teeth damaged from stains or discoloration? If so, a tooth whitening treatment may be exactly what you need to get your smile to its peak levels. However, as with all oral health remedies, exercise caution and speak with a professional before trying any new treatment.

The three most common forms of teeth whitening treatments are professional treatments administered by dentists, at-home systems given by your dentist for at-home use, and over-the-counter products purchased either online or in stores directly by the consumer.

The most sought after and highest rated treatments are professional treatments given in-office by dentists. They typically only last around 90 minutes per session, but a single visit can whiten your smile better than many weeks’ worth of treatments offered by various products available at the local store. A single professional treatment can improve the color of your teeth by up to ten full shades. In addition, the products used are much safer, with little risk to your surrounding gums.

Another form of tooth whitening treatment includes at-home treatments given by dentists to use away from the office in your spare time. Although at-home systems aren’t as beneficial as in-office treatments due to lack of professional supervision, they are still safer than store-bought products.

The most common form of teeth whitening treatment is over-the-counter products purchased online or in stores. With the flood of products seeping into the market to capitalize on society’s desire for whiter teeth quick and easy, it’s understandable to realize that not all products are equal. Due to lack of oversight on these treatments, some are not capable of whitening teeth very well at all and contain ingredients that can bleach gums and even chew through tooth enamel. Avoid any potential hazards by always speaking with your dentist before trying any type of teeth whitener.

If you would like to schedule a tooth whitening session at E. P. True Dental - West Des Moines, IA, simply call our dentist office in West Des Moines, Iowa, at our number (515) 224-9899. Dr. Pete Olberding and our entire team look forward to making your smile shine!