Your smile creates a subconscious, visual impact on people you meet. Having a brighter smile gives the impression of youth, vitality, radiant health, happiness and warmth as it is perceived as a healthy smile. It is no wonder why more and more people today are choosing tooth-whitening procedures to reverse the effects of aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains.

There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the most common ways are in-office treatments, take-home whitening kits and the do-it-yourself approach with over the counter products. In-office teeth whitening is the preferred whitening method. In-office whitening is a great way to jump-start take-home whitening, which is always part of an effective whitening program.

Take-home whitening kits prescribed by your dentist are a highly effective and convenient way to achieve a whiter smile on your own time. When you choose this method of whitening, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create custom-fitted trays for your unique bite. Once the whitening trays have been fabricated in the dental lab, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions for dispensing the whitening gel and wearing the trays for optimal results.

Over-the-counter products can lead to overuse, and overuse may be harmful to your smile. Without a custom-fitted tray, it may also be difficult for the whitening agent to whiten all areas of your teeth. The solutions provided with store-bought kits can be very weak, thus producing poor results, or very strong and dangerous to use or digest.

If you want safe, quality, lasting results it's best to visit your dentist in Ottawa. A quick consultation with your cosmetic dentist will help you understand the extent of your stains and your treatment options. You'll leave knowing the best procedure for achieving optimal whitening results. In-office whitening and professional take-home kits provided by your dentist deliver the best results compared to other over-the-counter methods.