Downsides of Shop Bought Teeth Whitening Kits

Using a standard teeth whitening product might not produce the results you expect

At the Confidental Clinic in Greenwich, our teeth whitening treatments are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures that we provide. Many of our patients have received this treatment with some periodocally opting to have the whiteness topped up. By using a custom home whitening kit, our patients can feel confident that they will receive the results that they are hoping for and in complete safety.

Sometimes we are asked how our treatment differs from that found in ‘off the shelf’ whitening kits that can be bought at most chemists on the high street. There are a number of differences, including the important fact that dentists are allowed to use more of the whitening ingredient in our treatments. This is not the only reason though, and below, we look at some of the reasons why you should certainly think twice before using a shop bought whitening kit.

Disappointing results

For safety reasons, as the treatment carried out using one of these kits is unsupervised, the quantity of the bleaching agent allowed is less than when treated by a dentist. This will inevitably mean that it is less effective and, although some improvement in the whiteness can be expected, it is likely to be less than you hoped for.

Possible Damage

Without professional supervision, these treatments can go wrong, especially if you don’t read the instructions or carry them out incorrectly. It is possible to end up with long term problems with your teeth and in our view, it simply isn’t worth the risk.

Leaking bleach

The trays provided in these kits are not custom made to fit your own teeth. This means that, any comfort issues aside, there are often opportunities for the bleaching agent to leak from these onto your lips and gums. This can cause quite visible and painful irritation in some cases.

The alternative

Whitening your teeth at home is a convenient way of making an improvement in your smile. You don’t have to take the risks mentioned above though. At the Confidental Clinic here in Greenwich, we provide a custom made whitening kit with trays made to fit your own teeth comfortably and securely, minimising any risk of leakage.

We will also make sure that your teeth and gums are in good health before the treatment commences. Within a week or so of starting treatment, you should notice an improvement in the colour of your teeth, and after the treatment is completed, usually around a fortnight, our patients should expect to see an improvement in the whiteness of their teeth by up to eight shades.

If you would like to discuss having your teeth whitened at the Confidental Clinic in Greenwich, why not arrange an initial consultation by calling us on 020 8858 1422.