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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

What’s the safest, cheapest DIY teeth whitening?

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I really want my teeth whitened, but I don’t have a lot of extra money. In September, I graduated university, and I’ve had to pay for my own education. Any extra cash is going toward payment of student loans. When I have any extra money, I can’t justify using it to whiten my teeth, but I do want a bright smile. I’m sure it will help my career. Before I waste money on cheap online kits or stuff that they say is free online, I want to know what really works. Is there any safe teeth whitening product that I can get cheap or free? Kamrin

Kamrin – Before we answer your question, we want to ensure you understand: The safest way to brighten your teeth is under a dentist’s supervision. If you do it yourself, the results are unpredictable.

It is possible to get limited results with inexpensive teeth whitening. But don’t expect a super-white smile. The ingredient to look for in effective whitening gel is carbamide peroxide. If you have sensitive teeth, find gel with a lower percentage of the ingredient.

Tips for DIY Teeth Whitening

  • Over-the-counter whitening strips – They can be effective. Check for the amount of carbamide peroxide in the strips. The higher the percentage, the more powerful the strips. But the more powerful strips may cause sensitivity in your teeth. If you experience sensitivity, take a break from the gel for a few weeks before using it again. You can also consider using strips with a lower percentage of carbamide peroxide. You may have to use whitening strips longer than two weeks to get the best results. Wait at least two weeks before using a new box of strips for another round of whitening. It will allow time for the color of your teeth to stabilize.
  • Discounted whitening from a dentist – There are some dentists that offer discounted teeth whitening to their existing patients who keep their dental cleaning and exam appointments. You may have to establish yourself as a regular patient before receiving the whitening treatment. Some dentists who don’t offer discounts provide a payment plan for the treatment.
  • Free or online kits – Avoid online kits that are advertised as free. These often are ineffective, damage your teeth, or have very high shipping fees. It is difficult to verify the active ingredient in free bleaching gel, so it’s best to stay away from it.

Before You Whiten Your Teeth

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening trays keep gel on your teeth

Before you begin whitening your teeth, ensure that they are free of decay and your gums are free of disease. If your oral health isn’t good, the whitening gel can cause irritation. Dentists look for the causes of stains in your teeth to determine if they should be bleached.

If you decide to use bleaching gel that comes in tubes, only use it with customized trays. The trays keep the gel in contact with your teeth and away from your gums.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening scam with crazy shipping charges

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Every now and then I search for deals on teeth whitening. I finally found one that sounded good. It was for a month trial of whitening and all I had to do was pay shipping and handling. The cost for shipping was posted on the website as $9.99. I thought that was pretty expensive but compared to free whitening I thought it was nothing. Within the last 2 months, I’ve received 3 charges for shipping and handling, but I still don’t have the whitening kit. My credit card company is investigating it now. I just want to know where I can get legitimate, free teeth whitening trials. Do you have any recommendations? Todd

Todd – We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, it is common. There are some risks that come with getting free teeth whitening online. What should you consider?

Beware of Getting Free Teeth Whitening Online

  • Source – On the website, instead of a business address, there is usually only a toll-free number or a contact form if you need to speak with someone at the company. The website probably doesn’t tell you the source of the whitening. If you call the company, you are unlikely to find out exactly where the whitening kit was made.
  • Contents – How do you know if the syringes really contain bleaching gel? Some consumers have found out that the contents were either ineffective or harmful to their teeth.
  • Results – If what you receive isn’t bleaching gel, either it won’t work, it can harm or discolor your teeth, or it can burn your teeth, gums, or other oral tissue.

If your dentist doesn’t offer free teeth whitening, ask for a payment plan to make it more affordable for you. It’s best to receive quality bleaching gel, along with supervision from your dentist. You’ll get predictable results that will last.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Do I really need porcelain veneers instead of teeth whitening?

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Why would a dentist tell me I need porcelain veneers instead of teeth whitening? My teeth are really yellow. I have tried to whiten them myself but it’s hardly noticeable. I know that no one else can tell that I’ve been trying to whiten my teeth. So I gave up. 2 weeks ago I talked to my dentist about it and she told me that she can get my teeth super white. I told her that I don’t want them to be super white just natural white. She said she can get them to the white shade of my choice and she started talking about porcelain veneers and prepping my teeth. She also said that if I really want my teeth white, because they are so yellow porcelain veneers are the way to go. The problem with her reasoning is that I want all of my teeth white, not just my front teeth and there is no way I am going to spend over $1k for each tooth. This is ridiculous. I just want to know if I really need porcelain veneers or if there is another way to get my teeth white. – Artuela

Artuela – We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist. There are several reasons why you should see a cosmetic dentist before receiving teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

Why See a Cosmetic Dentist about Porcelain Veneers?

  • He or she will examine your teeth, do diagnostic studies if necessary, and determine the cause of the stains in them. You will also find out which treatment is best to brighten your smile.
  • Artistic cosmetic dentists have significant training and experience with whitening teeth that other dentists have had difficulty whitening.
  • If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, a cosmetic dentist will know which form of whitening will work for your case.
  • He or she may also be able to explain why porcelain veneers were recommended by your dentist. Without examining your teeth, we can’t speculate on the reason for that recommendation.

Find a few experienced cosmetic dentists—preferably accredited cosmetic dentist—in your area, and schedule a consultation with each of them. You will be more comfortable choosing a provider for your treatment after the consultations. See our blog post on what you should know before choosing porcelain veneers.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Can I give away teeth whitening gel from the dentist?

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I took up the offer for free teeth whitening for life from my new dentist. She offers custom trays at half price and the bleaching gel is free. She uses different gel from my old dentist. I was at a dinner with some friends last weekend and somehow the topic about dental visits came up and the subject went into getting teeth whitening. I mentioned the deal my new dentist gives, and one of my friends asks if I have any whitening gel left from my former dentist. I said yes, and multiple people started asking for my old gel. I was planning on throwing it away. There are certain things that I don’t like sharing with people because if it doesn’t go well, I don’t want to hear about it. Nor do I want to feel responsible for it. My friends thought I was over-reacting and said it’s no big deal. Is there anything wrong with sharing my old teeth whitening gel with friends? Thanks. Val

 

Val – Your hesitation about sharing your teeth whitening gel with someone else is valid. There are several variables to consider before someone uses bleaching gel.

Factors to Consider before Sharing Teeth Whitening Gel

  • Condition of their teeth and gums. Teeth whitening treatments shouldn’t be started without a dentist verifying the condition of a person’s teeth and gums. Any signs of tooth decay or gum disease should be cleared up first.
  • Type of teeth stains. Whitening gel works on many types of stains, but it some cases it can make stains more noticeable—or simply worse.
  • Type of bleaching trays. Over-the-counter or one-size-fits-all bleaching trays can cause more harm than good. Custom trays are needed to ensure the gel stays in contact with teeth and doesn’t ooze out. Otherwise, oral tissue and gums can be burned form the gel.
  • Types of whitening gel. Some dentists use different types of teeth whitening based on the patient’s needs. What’s right for you might not be right for your friends.
  • How long to bleach. Without a dentist’s supervision, it’s a guessing game. Your friends won’t know how long they should use the bleaching gel each day, or how long they should continue to bleach. Over-bleaching can damage teeth.

If you’re not comfortable sharing the bleaching gel from your former dentist, don’t do it. Explain the reasons to your friends and leave it at that. You might be doing some of them a bigger favor than they know.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Can I get white teeth like Karrueche Tran’s smile from a cosmetic dentist?

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I’m 3 months older than Karrueche Tran and I just love, love her smile. Will it take a cosmetic dentist to get my teeth white like hers? I have a few friends who got their teeth whitened, but so far I haven’t seen anyone’s smile that looks as good as Karreuche’s. I saw her post on Instagram from a few years ago that said she was getting her teeth whitened in Beverly Hills. Of course I can’t go that far, but I do want my smile to pop! How do I find a dentist that can really give me the results I’m looking for and not end up wasting my money on average results? Thanks. Kym

Kym – Karreuche Tran has been interviewed on several talk shows recently, and more people are noticing the brilliant smile she’s flashing. She has made high-quality teeth whitening very desirable to a lot of people.

Photo of Karrueche Tran smiling, for information on teeth whitening from Lowell MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Karrueche Tran smiling

Anyone who wants predictable results with bleaching gel should see a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists are very picky about the results they achieve. You’ll receive a treatment plan that is customized for the types of stains in your teeth, the sensitivity of your teeth, and the results you want.

Only Choose an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist for a Karreuche-Tran White Smile

We recommend that you schedule consultations with at least two accredited cosmetic dentists. Why accredited dentists?

  • Accredited cosmetic dentists have passed written exams to demonstrate their advanced knowledge of the art.
  • They’ve also submitted patient cases to demonstrate their skill in producing beautiful smiles.
  • You’ll benefit from their years of experience. No doubt, they have completed countless cases of teeth whitening with stunning results.

Before your consultations, have a close-up photo of Karreuche Tran’s smile available on your mobile device. You can show each dentist the results you want to achieve. He or she will let you know the type of whitening treatment needed to get your smile amazingly bright, yet natural looking.

Dentists use different brands of whitening, so you might receive different recommendations based on the dentist’s experience and results with a certain brand. If a dentist is accredited, you can trust his or her judgment. Don’t insist on a specific brand.

Look on each dentist’s website to see before-and-after teeth whitening photos. If photos aren’t available on the website, ask to see them during your consultation.

What Will a Cosmetic Dentist Require before Teeth Whitening?

Your teeth and gums must be healthy before your teeth are whitened. Keep in mind that some dentists have additional requirements before whitening your teeth. Depending on the dentist, any of the following might be required:

  • A recent dental exam and cleaning from your current dentist
  • Become a patient of the dentist who will whiten your teeth
  • Pay for an exam if you only want your teeth whitened and don’t plan on switching dentists

Consultations will help you choose the best cosmetic dentist for the results you want. Best wishes on your sparkling smile!

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.