I try to save money when I can and I have some friends that do their teeth whitening themselves. I am am on my 4th pkg of Luster At Home Teeth Whitening. I am barely noticing the difference from when I first started the whitening. I am wondering if I should switch to a higher strength or maybe leave the gel on longer than recommended. 30 minutes doesn’t seem to be doing it. How long can I use Luster? Thanks Sabrina
Sabrina – Based on the results you have received, it is likely that the type of Luster whitening you are using has zinc oxide as its primary whitening agent. Zinc oxide will coat your teeth and temporarily make them look whiter, but it wears off. The agent is does not reach embedded stains.
You need carbamide peroxide bleaching gel to dissolve embedded stains. The advantage of receiving teeth whitening from your dentist is that the professional-strength whitening gel used will penetrate your teeth to break up stains permanently. You can do at-home touchups as needed to keep your smile bright, but only as directed by your dentist. It is possible to over-whiten your teeth.
There are some cases in which teeth whitening, even by your dentist will have no effect on the stains. And in some cases, the bleaching gel will only make the stains more noticeable. Even when you are doing at-home whitening, we recommend that you consult with your dentist to determine if you should whiten your teeth, the strength of whitening gel that should be used, and the results you can expect. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause of the stains on your teeth, along with the best treatment to brighten your smile.
This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.