Whitening your teeth is not a medical emergency; it is your preference to make your smile a brighter one. Teeth whitening can be mainly categorized into two categories: home methods and clinical methods.

Generally, the clinical method of whitening teeth contains huge chemicals that cause harm to your teeth as well as your oral hygiene. If you are going through the clinical method then you must be aware that it consists of several steps and follow up with the medical practitioner.

1. Home or clinical methods?
If you have white teeth, you are inclined to smile more often because you are confident enough to show your teeth. Teeth might be stained or discoloured for a variety of reasons; if you want to whiten them, then you are advised to do it safely. You can also visit your dentist or you can try some home methods as per your convenience.

There are several specific reasons why you should choose the home methods for whitening your teeth over clinical methods.

2. Use of chemical-containing products
Medical practitioners mainly use whitening materials that contain huge chemicals, harmful material for your teeth. Sometimes, those chemicals can worsen the condition of your teeth in spite of whitening them. You are advised to use those whitening agents in a balanced way and wisely after knowing their side effects and risk factors.

If you are opting for home methods of whitening teeth then you are comparatively on the safe side. The use of chemical-containing whitening products is of no use in the case of home methods. But natural substances or material used in the whitening process produces a different effect on a different person, so you are advised to use those substances safely

3. Follow-up and aftercare
A medical practitioner or your dentist might advise you for some follow-up sessions after clinical treatments are over. During this process, you may feel off-track and could miss some of the sessions. Aftercare is also an important point to consider if you had gone through clinical whitening therapies.

In the case of home methods for whitening teeth, no such follow-up sessions or aftercare is needed as you are developing a regular habit for your oral hygiene.

4. Cost-effective
The ingredients or substances used throughout home method for teeth whitening are mostly available in your kitchen or are very cost-effective. But in the clinical method, the ingredients for aftercare are comparatively costly and not available in homes. You can get them from your dentist or a pharmacy.

5. Discomfort
Some feel the discomfort of going through the clinical process due to some particular reasons. You might be aware that some people are allergic to bleach, so they cannot go through bleach cleaning or whitening. Some of you might feel a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity and mild irritation on gums after clinical therapies.

There is a myth that clinical methods for whitening your teeth are harmful and can cause permanent damage to your teeth, but unfortunately, it is not always true. Sometimes you must consult a dentist in case you are facing issues relating to your teeth for a long time and it has become unmanageable trouble for you.