Existing Patients: (978) 454-9332 | New Patients: (877) 790-5172 |
Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Do Lemons Whiten or Darken Your Teeth?

Posted on by .

Closeup of a woman's mouth and teeth holding a lemon slice, portraying lemons and teeth whiteningAre lemons safe and effective for teeth whitening? When you search online for natural ways to whiten your teeth, you will find dozens of articles on using lemons. One blog post mentions rubbing lemon essential oil or peels on your teeth.

Do Lemons Work for Teeth Whitening?

Lemons contain citric acid, which one blog post claims kills bacteria to whiten teeth. However, teeth stains come from pigments in what you eat and drink—not bacteria. Regular flossing and brushing remove plaque and bacteria.

Will Lemons Eventually Damage Teeth?

Applying lemons juice, peels, or oils to your teeth will eventually damage them because it repeatedly exposes them to acid. But that is true of any excessive acid exposure on your teeth.

Darker Tooth Enamel

The blog post also mentions that lemons might eventually darken teeth. But the darkening doesn’t come from thinning tooth enamel, as the article suggests. Citric acid etches teeth enamel, roughens it, and causes teeth to attract stains.

Thinner Tooth Enamel

Sucking on lemons or rubbing acidic peels on your teeth will thin tooth enamel. The same occurs with bulimia when stomach acid from vomiting repeatedly comes in contact with teeth.

Beware of Teeth Whitening Kits with Citric Acid

Some teeth whitening kits may contain citric acid to etch tooth enamel, creating a frosty surface on teeth. The whitening kits may include a titanium dioxide substance with a white pigment attached to the etched tooth enamel. When the titanium dioxide wears off in a few days, the result is darker teeth in the long term. However, the tooth enamel is still rough, which increases the risk of attracting stains.

 

Conclusion

Do-it-yourself teeth whitening—including whitening with lemons—is risky. Although Crest Whitestrips will give you some improvement, it is less effective than professional whitening from a dentist.

Did I Ruin My Porcelain Veneers with Whitening Toothpaste?

Posted on by .

Did whitening toothpaste ruin my porcelain veneers? I’ve been using it since I got the veneers in September. I only use it weekly to keep the veneers white. I do not remember if my dentist told me not to use toothpaste on my veneers. I just found out online that some toothpaste scratch cosmetic dentistry work, and embarrassed to tell my dentist what I have done. Will the scratches be visible? Can I get the veneers touched up before my next dental exam and cleaning? Thank you. Zoe from Fresno, CA

Zoe,

Thank you for your question. We understand your concerns about the appearance of your smile and your investment in porcelain veneers.

Does Whitening Toothpaste Ruin Your Veneers?

Although whitening toothpaste may not ruin your veneers, the abrasiveness can scratch the surface of veneers. But you would need to use the toothpaste consistently and long-term for it to scratch. You have used the toothpaste ten to twelve times, so if you have scratches on your veneers, they are minor if they exist.

Your dentist will tell you if the veneers are scratched during your next dental exam. An expert cosmetic dentist can polish veneers.

What Kind of Toothpaste Can You Use on Porcelain Veneers?

A porcelain veneer held next to a tooth

Use nonabrasive toothpaste on porcelain veneers

You can use nonabrasive toothpaste that is specifically for cosmetic dentistry work. Otherwise, the toothpaste formula may wear away the bonding between the porcelain veneers and your teeth. Look for Supersmile® toothpaste or another low-abrasion toothpaste.

How Can You Keep Porcelain Veneers White?

Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing between them keeps porcelain veneers white because they are stain resistant. During dental cleanings and exams, your dentist and hygienist will use specific tools and materials for cosmetic work. Cosmetic dentists use tools and polishing pastes to restore the shine of porcelain veneers as needed. You will not need teeth whitening products or treatment to keep your veneers bright.

Although you are embarrassed, it was a mistake. You may schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist or another dentist to check your veneers. Your dentist will be happy to examine your porcelain veneers and the bonding for any signs of damage and correct them to prevent further damage.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.

Why Do My Teeth Look Worse After Whitening?

Posted on by .

Why do my teeth look worse after whitening? My dentist recommended whitening after braces left white spots on my teeth. My teeth are super white, but the areas from braces look brighter than ever. Now my teeth are blotchy. My dentist said that maybe she could try bonding. I feel like a guinea pig in a clinical trial. What treatment should I ask my dentist to use next? Thank you. Miranda from Charleston, SC

Miranda,

Thank you for your question. Without advanced cosmetic dentistry training, a dentist may not understand how to treat spotted or stained treat based on the cause of the discoloration.

Will Teeth Whitening Improve White Spots?

Teeth whitening usually makes white spots worse. The bleaching gel removes stains embedded in teeth but does not improve uneven discoloration, stains, or spots.

How Can You Treat White Spots on Teeth?

Treatment for white spots on teeth depends on their cause. Decalcification around brackets on braces can cause white spots. These factors cause decalcification:

  • Food debris or bacteria trapped beneath braces or around brackets
  • Plaque buildup decreases the calcium that teeth need
  • Calcium depletion that causes white spots

Treatment options

A cosmetic dentist may recommend remineralization, microabrasion, or dental bonding for white spots on teeth.

  • Remineralization – Fluoride treatments or remineralizing gels can improve teeth over time.
  • Microabrasion – After removing discolored tooth enamel and applying an abrasive substance to your teeth, a cosmetic dentist will clean, rinse, and polish them.
  • Dental bonding – A cosmetic dentist can remove areas of decalcification and apply dental bonding to replace them. Cosmetic dentists have an inventory of bonding materials and tools to achieve a perfect match and blend the bonding with your tooth color.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist for an exam and an explanation of your treatment options.

Before and after dental bonding photos from Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek

Dental bonding photos from Dr. Michael Szarek of Lowell, Massachusetts

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek, sponsors this post.

 

Is Whitening the Right Way to Remove Brown Teeth Stains?

Posted on by .

Over the past two years, I began to get brown stains on my teeth that are increasing. I see my dentist twice yearly, and she notices the stains, too. My dentist recommends whitening my teeth, but neither of us knows what is causing the stains. My dentist says the source is probably not serious because I am in my 50s, and the stains are just developing. I asked my primary care doctor about the stains, and he told me to check with my dentist first. I feel like I am stuck in a loop. Yesterday, a friend mentioned that I could research dental bonding if whitening does not work. Should I let my dentist whiten my teeth or get a second opinion? Thank you. Omari from CT

Omari,

Thank you for your question.

We are unsure why your dentist has not tried to identify the cause of the stains and recommend treatment. But you can ask her what might be causing the stains to understand why she recommends whitening your teeth.

Types of Tooth Stains that Develop in Adults

When stains develop during adulthood, they are either internal or external stains.

  • Internal stains – Internal stains can form as your teeth absorb pigments from foods and drinks, such as tea or coffee. Internal stains are even in appearance and affect the entire teeth, and bleaching can break them down. Some prescription medications can cause external stains, too.
  • External stains – External stains appear around your gumline and between your teeth. Some toothpaste brands, such as Supersmile, remove the sticky film (protein pellicle) from your teeth and stains that stick to it. Also, Supersmile toothpaste works because it removes the protein pellicle on your teeth and the stains that adhere to it. Your dental hygienist can remove surface stains.

Identifying the Cause of Tooth Stains

Sometimes a health condition or medication can cause discoloration in teeth. Ask your dentist to review your medical and prescription histories. If neither health nor medication is a factor, your dentist’s recommendation makes sense.

Will You Need Teeth Bleaching or Dental Bonding?

Teeth bleaching gel applied to teeeth

A cosmetic dentist can identify the cause of, and treat, brown teeth stains

Whether a dentist uses teeth bleaching or dental bonding depends on the cause of the tooth stains. If your teeth stains come from coffee or tea, whitening from your dentist will break them down. Dental bonding is usually not necessary unless internal tooth stains develop from medication, fluorosis, or a medical condition.

Teeth whitening from a dentist is safe and can help your smile look younger. If your dentist is not willing to identify the cause of the stains, you can look for a dentist with cosmetic dentistry training to help you.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek, sponsors this post. His office is convenient to Andover, Dracut, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and surrounding cities.

 

My teeth are still sensitive even with Sensodyne

Posted on by .

I’ve been using Sensodyne toothpaste for over a month because my teeth are sensitive. I have root exposure on a lot of the teeth. Sensodyne isn’t helping, though. What else can I do? I am waiting to get the sensitivity under control before I get teeth whitening from my dentist. I want in-office whitening because it is fast. And I think that if I have to whiten my teeth at home, I probably won’t finish the entire two weeks. I am forgetful. But if I need to switch from Sensodyne to another brand, that’s doable. Thanks. – Gene

Gene,

Please tell your dentist Sensodyne isn’t decreasing the sensitivity in your teeth. They can prescribe fluoride toothpaste. Try the prescription fluoride toothpaste for six weeks to determine if it will minimize the sensitivity.

Options to Decrease Teeth Sensitivity

When your teeth are sensitive, and toothpaste like Sensodyne does not work, your dentist can try other methods.

  • Fluoride varnish – Your dentist can apply fluoride varnish applied to the exposed roots. You can get varnish treatments after dental cleanings—usually every six months. Your dental insurance may not cover it.
  • Composite fillings – Your dentist can blend dental composite to match to cover the exposed roots. You will get instant relief. Dental insurance will probably provide some benefits, along with your copay. But after teeth whitening treatment, your teeth will be whiter than the composite, so depending on the length of your smile, your dentist may need to lighten the composite.
  • Gum grafting – If receding gums contribute to tooth-root exposure, your dentist may perform a graft to cover the roots and decrease sensitivity.
Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Resolve tooth sensitivity before whitening your teeth

Your dentist will discuss your options with you. Be patient and ensure the treatment gives you lasting results. Don’t rush bleaching your teeth because it can increase sensitivity in your teeth.

This post is sponsored by accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD, of Lowell, MA.