Dr. Erin Gustafson
Dr. Erin Gustafson was born and raised in northeast Texas, relocating to Lubbock to complete her undergraduate degree in Zoology at Texas Tech University.
Read more about Dr. Erin Gustafson
Find Us:
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- Welcome (1)
- celebrity smiles (69)
- oral hygiene (15)
- orthodontics (13)
- braces (16)
- gum disease (9)
- clear aligners (2)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- aging (1)
- orthodontic treatment (14)
- periodontal disease (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (7)
- oral surgery (2)
- oral health (16)
- gum recession (4)
- dental injury (4)
- mouthguard (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- nutrition (6)
- teeth whitening (5)
- pediatric dentistry (11)
- dental exam (1)
- toothache (3)
- tooth pain (3)
- root canal (4)
- bad breath (2)
- osteoporosis (2)
- dental care (1)
- dental implants (11)
- tooth grinding (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- endodontics (1)
- crowns (4)
- chipped teeth (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- facial pain (3)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- frenectomy (1)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- removable dentures (1)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- tooth decay (5)
- trigeminal neuralgia (2)
- bone grafting (2)
- bonding (1)
- fluoride (1)
- retainers (1)
- oral appliance (1)
- night guard (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- sealants (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- veneers (1)
- extractions (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- impacted teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- oral cancer (1)
- retainer (2)
- dental cleaning (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- mouthguards (2)
- bone graft (1)
- bone loss (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- diabetes (1)
- x-rays (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- extraction (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- gerd (1)
Categories:
What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
A relatively easy and inexpensive way to improve your smile is to whiten your teeth. In fact, you may even be able to do it yourself at home. Although there are differences between at-home and professional whitening, the former can still be effective.
That effectiveness, though, might be dependent on how well you understand what home whitening can do and what it can’t. So before you purchase your kit, here are a few things to know about DIY teeth whitening.
Home kits are safe—when used as directed. Although nothing in life is completely risk-free, home whitening kits are relatively safe. But only if you follow the directions: If you overuse the bleaching solution beyond its intended use, you could wind up with permanent damage to your tooth enamel that can be costly to treat.
Bleaching solutions are relatively mild. Nearly all home kits use carbamide peroxide, a form of hydrogen peroxide, as their bleaching agent. Home kits usually contain no more than 10% of this agent, much lower than professional solutions. Used as directed, this amount of bleaching agent poses little to no risk to dental or general health. On the other hand, the weaker home kit solution does limit the extent of brightness you can achieve compared to stronger professional treatments.
For top results (or certain conditions), consider professional whitening. While you can obtain good results with a home whitening kit, professional whitening provides more precise brightness control and range, and may possibly last longer. That’s because your dentist has more advanced techniques and equipment, as well as stronger bleaching solutions. And, if your discoloration originates inside your teeth, a home kit won’t help—only a dentist can address that kind of discoloration.
Even if you decide to “go solo,” your dentist can still give you advice on what to look for in a home kit, as well as tips for the actual procedure. But whether you whiten at home or let your dentist do it, teeth whitening can take years off your smile and give you a more attractive look.
If you would like more information on teeth whitening, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Tooth Whitening Safety Tips: Are Bleaching Products Safe?”