There are many options for teeth whitening at home. In fact, it seems like there are more every day, and with all our tooth-staining caffeine, we might need them. But do they work?
Take Power Swabs, for instance, which isn’t exactly a new teeth whitening technique, but it’s initiated a new advertising campaign to promote its claims that it is very effective, easy to use, and all-natural.
Does It Live up to Claims?
After you break through the jumble of messages on the website, the basic claims of Power Swabs are threefold:
- You will see an average of six shades of whitening after seven days’ use
- Its whitening formula won’t cause tooth sensitivity because it’s all-natural
- Power Swabs is easier to use than trays and gels
Let’s tackle the big one first: does Power Swabs lead to teeth whitening? Based on the reviews we see on Amazon.com, it seems like that’s a negatory. The average review for the product is a 2.2 stars out of five, with over half of reviewers giving the product 1 star. Most of the reviews say something to the effect of “Did not work.”
On the other hand, its formula doesn’t seem to cause sensitivity. So that’s good. At least you won’t lose much more than the cost of the product. We don’t really know what that formula is, other than that it’s derived from coconuts. Coconuts are a popular natural source, and in oil pulling, at least, it does seem that coconut oil might have some whitening effect. But that’s for mechanical reasons, most likely, not because of special chemicals in the coconut that could be working here.
Is it simpler to use? That depends on your perspective. The instructions seem a little complicated to me. You have to break the special capsule inside the Power Swabs, then use the swabs to wipe your teeth. There are two swabs to use: a Stain Out Swab and a White Swab. Then there’s a Power Rinse. It might be better for some people to have the medication contained in the swab itself, but it seems like there’s a lot of potential for missing spots and uneven application, which–if the system works–will lead to splotchiness and uneven tooth coloration.
Benefits of Professional Whitening
Before you decide to start an at-home teeth whitening program, it’s important to talk to a dentist. Your dentist can help steer you toward some of the more effective at-home whitening products (there are some). Your dentist can also determine whether your teeth are in a good state for whitening. Before trying to whiten them, you need to get a checkup to make sure your teeth are healthy.
A cosmetic dentist can also let you know when whitening isn’t likely to help. This may be because your enamel is thin or not very white to begin with. Or it may be because there are other problems that stand out more than discolored teeth, such as missing teeth or crooked teeth. Other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as porcelain veneers might be the only way to get the results you desire.
If you are looking for a Philadelphia cosmetic dentist to talk about teeth whitening or other ways to improve the appearance of your smile, please call (610) 272-0828 for an appointment at Dental Excellence of Blue Bell.
