Many people like having white teeth. Not only does it present the idea that you take very good care of your teeth, but it also makes for a very pretty smile. It used to be that, if you wanted your teeth whitened, you had to go see your dentist. However, in recent years whitening treatments you can buy over-the-counter have grown in popularity. While it can be convenient to whiten your teeth at home, many people still opt to visit the dentist. Here are three benefits to getting your teeth whitened in the dentist office.

1. The whitening treatment provides more immediate results.

When you go see your dentist for teeth whitening treatment, you will see results that very same day. The dentist will apply the whitening solution directly onto your teeth. This is then followed by the dentist using a laser or UV light to activate the whitening treatment and speed up the entire process. The treatment will last for about an hour, but the results are well worth the time it takes.

If you use over-the-counter whitening products, it can take daily use for a week or longer before you start to see any results - much less the same level of results that you get from the dentist's whitening treatment.

2. Your gums are less likely to get irritated by in-office whitening treatment.

Because the teeth whitening products you get from the store are applied via a tray, many people complain about gum irritation after they use them. This is because you really have no way of controlling the application of the whitening solution. However, when you go into the dentist office, they take proper precautions to ensure none of the whitener gets on your gums since it is applied directly to your teeth and not by inserting a tray into the mouth. Gum irritation can be very painful, so it's something you want to avoid if at all possible.

3. On average, the results of professional teeth whitening last longer than at home treatments.

While everyone will have different results, teeth whitening that you get in the dentist office can last up to three years. Of course, depending on if you smoke, or drink liquids that stain, you may need touch-up treatment once or twice a year after the initial visit. When you use teeth whitening kits that you buy in the store, you usually have to perform maintenance every couple of months to improve your results.

However, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to teeth whitening in the dentist office is that it is significantly more expensive than your over-the-counter options. It is also important to note that most dental insurance plans don't pay for teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry options. So, keep those two things in mind when you are deciding if professional teeth whitening from the dentist is the best option for you.