Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

There's a vast range of over-the-counter teeth whitening products available today. Here, our Surrey and Langley dentist explains why professional whitening systems are safer and more effective.


The main issue with over-the-counter whitening treatments is that they're really not very effective. They generally only remove surface stains, but fail to result in a significantly whiter smile.

Products such as whitening strips, toothpastes and rinses also don’t whiten caps, bonding or veneers. These products only whiten the natural teeth, and so you may end up with a splotchy looking smile.

Since professional whitening at your dentist’s office is more controlled and often done as part of a full mouth dental restoration, you can plan your teeth whitening in conjunction with your dental restorations. This means you can whiten your teeth first, and then have the restorations completed to match the new, whiter colour.

Professional whitening products also produce more noticeable results than over-the-counter products. In addition to removing stains, they will also lighten the actual colour of your teeth.

Professional whitening products are more expensive than over the counter products, but the price is worth it for the superior results!

If you’re interested in teeth whitening, contact our Surrey & Langley dentists to book a consultation!