Cosmetic Dentistry |4 min read

Here’s the Secret to Getting White Teeth [Without the Sensitivity and Pain!]

If you’ve ever dabbled in drugstore teeth whitening products and been disappointed with the results, we feel your pain.

We get lots of people in our office who want pearly-white smiles but complain over-the-counter products don’t work for them.

Even worse, many patients have to stop using these products because they experience painful tooth sensitivity. They often worry they may be permanently damaging their teeth in the pursuit of a brighter smile.

In this article, we’ll answer these two key questions:

Let’s dive in.

Young woman smiling with perfect teeth from professional teeth whitening without any side effects of doing so.

Over-the-counter whitening products: What’s the catch?

Some people swear by their over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and strips, and we won’t completely knock it. They work great for some people.

They’re an easy, low-commitment way to start experimenting with improving your smile. You get them at almost any drugstore and conveniently use them in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

So what’s the problem?

Weak teeth whitening formulas

Drugstore products are inherently generic. They’re designed to be “one size fits all” and safe for many people.

That means their whitening formulas are typically weak. It’s also why many people are frustrated that their teeth are barely any whiter, even after many weeks of diligent use.

Because the formulas are so weak, you often have to use them continuously over a long time to see any results. This excessive use can trigger the all-too-common tooth sensitivity issues.

Wrong type of stain treatment

Teeth can become discolored or stained for several reasons.

Extrinsic discoloration is stains on the outside of your teeth caused by foods, drinks, or smoking. Drugstore products can be effective at removing these surface-level stains.

Intrinsic discoloration is more difficult to treat. These deep stains start from the inside of your tooth due to medication use, illness, infection, tooth trauma, or aging. In this case, you’re unlikely to see much improvement with drugstore products.

Poor targeting for different smiles

Many over-the-counter whitening products poorly target the specific areas of your teeth that need help.

For example, drugstore teeth-whitening trays are designed to accommodate many different smiles, so it’s unlikely it’ll fit yours perfectly.

That creates two problems:

  • Whitening chemicals spill over into the sensitive areas of your smile, causing pain, sensitivity, and gum irritation.
  • The whitening power is less effective.

If you’re feeling disheartened at this point, don’t fret. Getting a gorgeous, white smile (without the sensitivity!) is still possible – you may just need the help of a dental pro.

Is professional teeth whitening worth it?

The short answer is: Yes.

If you’re:

  • Serious about getting a dramatically whiter smile
  • Tired of wasting money on drugstore products that don’t work
  • Struggling with painful sensitivity

…then professional whitening could be an excellent option.

A qualified dental professional safely uses stronger, more effective formulas highly targeted to your unique needs.

They also carefully control the strength and location of the treatment, minimizing any pain or risk of damage to your enamel.

At this point, you’re probably thinking: “Professional teeth whitening? That sounds expensive and time-consuming.”

Guess again!

Professional teeth whitening is one of the most affordable and popular cosmetic treatments available.

At Smile Connections Family Dental, we offer both in-office and at-home professional whitening solutions that are just as convenient as anything you’d get from a drugstore.

In fact, you’ll likely save money from not having to buy all those expensive products that don’t work!

Whether you have a big event coming up, or simply want to look your best every day, schedule an appointment with our teeth whitening pros Dr. James Volker – We think you’ll be amazed at the results.

Or contact us by one of these other convenient means:

Our dental office is in Wichita, KS proudly serves its neighboring communities, including Eastborough, Oaklawn-Sunview, Maize, Bel Aire, Park City, Goddard, Andale, Colwich, Clearwater, and Andover, KS.