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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Groupon teeth whitening kit burned my gums

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I got a teeth whitening kit on Groupon. I didn’t want to get the cheapest one or the most expensive one. So I went in the middle. The kit came with trays that you have to boil and then shape onto your teeth. I followed the instructions carefully and fit the trays to my own teeth. I put the amount of gel in the trays as instructed and put the trays on my teeth. The instructions said to leave the trays on for 30 minutes. I had them on for just 3 minutes and had to take them off because my gums started burning so bad. The next day white stuff was peeling off of my gums and they were still burning. How do I find a teeth whitening kit that is affordable but won’t ruin my gums? Thanks. Saray

Saray – When you buy a teeth whitening kit online and it irritates your teeth or gums, there are several possible causes.

  • The whitening trays aren’t a good fit, and bleaching gel is oozing out of the trays onto your gums.
  • The bleaching gel is too strong, or you’ve left it on too long.
  • The bleaching gel contains an irritant or a chemical that is causing the burning or sensitivity.

How to find teeth whitening that works – not hurts

Customized trays – Customized trays are made based on impressions of your teeth. They have a snug fit to keep the teeth whitening gel sealed on your teeth. If you use the amount of bleaching gel instructed, it won’t ooze out and burn your gums. Your dentist can provide you with an accurate impression and customized trays.

The right concentration of gel – Bleaching gel comes in a variety of strengths. A gel needs to be selected based on the extent of the stains in your teeth and the level of sensitivity in your teeth. Although you might need a lower concentration of gel, your treatment period can be extended to get your teeth their brightest. Consult with your dentist to ensure you use the right gel and treatment time.

Quality bleaching gel – Only use high-quality gel for teeth whitening. Carbamide peroxide is the primary ingredient in the gel used by dentists. Don’t order gel from questionable sources.

If you have prolonged irritation or sensitivity in your teeth or gums from bleaching gel, schedule an appointment with your dentist for an exam. For the most predictable and successful results, get your treatment from your dentist, or ask him or her for advice before you make the purchase.

 

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

2 minute tooth brushing but teeth aren’t noticeable whiter

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I’ve followed the 2 minute tooth brushing guideline for about 3 to 4 months but my teeth aren’t noticeable whiter. They feel cleaner than when I quickly brushed them. They are just not whiter though. How long will it take to see some results? Pilar T.

Pilar – Although two-minute tooth brushing is a way to ensure your teeth are clean and that debris is removed from them, it won’t necessarily make your teeth whiter. If you’re using peroxide-based toothpaste, you may eventually see the results, but they will be minimal.
Whitening your teeth and breaking down the stains below the surface is successful with carbamide peroxide bleaching gel. Professional-strength gel comes from a dentist, along with bleaching trays to keep the gel in contact with your teeth. It’s the prolonged contact on your teeth helps the gel break down stains in them.

Some people have tried self-whitening only to find that the bleaching gel wasn’t strong enough, or in some cases, that it made stains more noticeable. That’s where a dentist helps—anticipating the results you will get and recommending the correct treatment based on the type of stains in your teeth

We encourage you to continue to thoroughly brush your teeth, but if you really want them whiter, consider getting them professionally whitened. Ask your dentist how whitening your teeth can be made affordable for you.

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

 

Do teeth whitening pens work?

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I got an email from Living Social for teeth whitening pens for under $20. The ad says that the regular price is over $100, so I am guessing that these must work really well. Do they? – Meghan

Meghan – The results you will get from a pen for teeth whitening depend on several factors:

  1. The cause of the stains in your teeth – Depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, the whitening gel may not whiten them at all. In some cases, it can actually make the stains worse.
  2. The gel – Type of gel and the strength of the gel in the pen determine how white your teeth will get. Some gels will only remove surface stains. If stains are embedded in your teeth, you will see limited results. Additionally, some pens only paint the teeth white. These painting pens contain no ingredients to break down stains in your teeth.
  3. The means of keeping the gel on your teeth – Customized whitening trays keep bleaching gel pressed against your teeth so the gel will penetrate them. Customized trays also protect your gums from irritation or burning by the gel. When you apply bleaching gel with a whitening pen and no trays are used, you will lose some of the gel between your inner lip and teeth. The gel might even irritate your lips and gums. Much of the gel will be lost, so your teeth won’t get as white as with custom trays.
  4. The source of the whitening pen – Some dentists provide whitening pens after professional whitening treatment. These pens are effective in helping you maintain a brilliantly white smile. But they are not used to whiten your teeth from the start. In-office or take-home treatment with professional-strength gel and supervision by the dentist are completed first.

Before you whiten your teeth, we recommend that you ask your dentist to examine them to anticipate the results you will receive and to determine if this is the right treatment to brighten your smile. You can also ask your dentist how he or she can make teeth whitening affordable for you.

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

Do the teeth whitening kits featured on Groupon really work?

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I keep seeing Groupons for teeth whitening kits. $39 is much cheaper than having my teeth whitened by my dentist. But do these kits really work? Thanks! Chantele R.

Chantele – Whether or not the teeth whitening kit works depends on the agent used in the whitening gel, as well as the strength of the whitening agent. But there are several reasons that you might want to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.

Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels will only remove surface stains, if they help at all. The same is true for whitening toothpaste. The whitening gel that you receive from your dentist will penetrate your teeth and remove embedded stains.

Teeth bleaching  isn’t right for everyone. Depending on the cause of the stains, whitening your teeth will make the stains even more noticeable. Your dentist will exam your teeth, determine the cause of the stains, and recommend the appropriate treatment for them—which may not be teeth bleaching. In some cases, porcelain veneers are the only way to conceal stains or discoloration in teeth.

Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that customized teeth bleaching trays can be made for you. Ready-to-use kits have one-size-fits-all trays, which often do not fit correctly. The results of the whitening gel will not be as efficient as it would with customized trays. If the ready-made trays are too large, gel will likely be wasted.

Talk with your dentist about your interest in teeth whitening. He or she will be able to give you a beautifully white smile. Some dentists offer teeth whitening specials from time to time, too.

This blog post is courtesy of Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.