A bright smile is often associated with health and beauty. Tooth whitening has become a popular practice for improving smile aesthetics. Numerous "homemade" solutions and at-home teeth whitening kits are available, promising fast and cost-effective results. However, it's important to understand the advantages, disadvantages and risks associated with these methods. It's best to consider the professional alternatives offered by dental clinics like Helvident in French-speaking Switzerland.
What is home tooth whitening?
Home tooth whitening encompasses all methods performed outside a dental office. A variety of products and techniques are used, often without professional supervision. Among the most common are :
- Over-the-counter whitening kits : available in pharmacies or online. They usually contain trays that can be pre-filled or filled with a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide-based whitening gel.
- Whitening strips : thin, flexible strips impregnated with whitening gel are applied directly to the teeth.
- Whitening toothpastes : these toothpastes contain abrasive or chemical agents to remove surface stains.
- Natural" remedies: Baking soda, activated charcoal, lemon juice... These methods are often promoted online, but their effectiveness and safety are questionable.
Perceived benefits of home tooth whitening
- Cost : Home bleaching kits are generally less expensive than professional treatments.
- Convenience: Bleaching can be carried out at home, at your own pace.
- Speed (apparent) : Some products promise visible results in just a few days.
Disadvantages and risks of home tooth whitening
- Product concentration : Over-the-counter kits contain lower concentrations of peroxide than those used by dentists. This limits their effectiveness and means that they need to be used for longer, thus increasing the risks.
- Adapting gutters : the trays in standard kits are not perfectly adapted to the dentition, which can lead to uneven distribution of whitening gel and gum irritation.
- Dental sensitivity : the use of whitening products can lead to a tooth sensitivity increased sensitivity to heat, cold and sweet foods. This phenomenon is more frequent with home kits, due to the prolonged application and potential contact of the gel with the gums.
- Enamel damage : Excessive or incorrect use of whitening products can damage tooth enamel, making them more fragile and susceptible to cavities.
- Uneven results: application without professional supervision can lead to uneven results and uneven whitening.
- Ineffective on certain types of stains: at-home products are not effective on all dental stains, especially those caused by certain medications or trauma.
- Risks to the gums: prolonged contact of bleaching gel with the gums can cause irritation, burns and inflammation.
Career alternatives at Helvident
Helvident clinics offer a range of professional teeth whiteningadapted to the needs of each patient:
- Armchair whitening : performed in a single in-office session, this treatment uses a higher-concentration whitening gel activated by an LED or laser lamp. Results are rapid and immediately visible.
- Ambulatory bleaching : the dentist takes impressions to make custom-made trays. The patient then applies a whitening gel at home, in the trays, over a set period of time. This method enables more gradual, controlled whitening.
Why choose professional bleaching?
- Safety : treatments are carried out under the supervision of a dentist, minimizing the risk of irritation and damage to enamel.
- Efficiency : the products used have higher concentrations and deliver faster, longer-lasting results.
- Uniform whitening : the dentist ensures even application of the product for optimum aesthetic results.
- Customized treatment : the dentist adapts the treatment to the patient's specific needs. He or she takes into account initial tooth shade, tooth sensitivity and aesthetic expectations.
While at-home tooth whitening may seem attractive at first glance, it does have its drawbacks. significant oral health risks. The professional alternatives offered by Helvident clinics guarantee effective, safe and long-lasting whitening, for a radiant smile you can trust. Don't hesitate to contact our dental clinics in Lausanne, Fribourg and Aigle for more information and to book a consultation.
