Category Archives: Teeth whitening

How long should I wait to get crowns after free teeth whitening?

My dentist charges $400 for teeth whitening and I can’t afford that. There is a new dentist in my area who took over a practice and she is offering free teeth whitening with an exam. So I am going to get my next exam from her and get the teeth whitening. I figure I will stick with her through that and then return to my current dentist for my dental crowns. I can’t ask this question of my current dentist because she doesn’t know that I am taking a break from her to get my teeth whitened from someone else. I don’t want to ask the new dentist either because she will think I am taking advantage of her, which in a way I guess is true. My question is: How long should I wait to get crowns after free teeth whitening?

It is good that you realize that your teeth whitening treatment should be completed before crowns are placed. Otherwise, your dental crowns would be darker than your teeth. After your teeth have reached their desired whiteness and your whitening sessions are complete, there will be a two to three-week wait to allow the color of your teeth to stabilize.

After the waiting period, if your teeth are as white as you want them, then you can see your dentist for dental crowns. When you return, of course your dentist will know that you’ve had your teeth whitened. Porcelain crowns will be crafted to match the color of your whitened natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

How do I dilute teeth whitening gel I got for free?

I am going to be in my friend’s wedding in September. I am wearing Invisalign. I love the aligners because they are so clear, but my teeth are not white. My cousin get free take home whitening gel from her dentist. She has more than she can use before the expiration date so she is giving some of it away. She gave me 4 tubes and told me that I probably can get a month worth of whitening from the tubes. So I am going to do the whitening myself at home. I wear Invisalign so I figure that the trays can serve a dual purpose. I wore the trays with the gel in them for the past few nights. Now I am wondering if the gel is too strong because my gums are burning. Is there any way to dilute the gel? How do it? Thanks. Darcy

Darcy – It is exciting to be able to get free teeth-whitening gel that works! But Invisalign aligners are made specifically to align your teeth, not to whiten them. They are not designed to support teeth bleaching gel. The structure of bleaching trays is different from teeth aligning trays. You may ruin your Invisalign aligners and damage your gums if you continue to put bleaching gel in the trays. Teeth bleaching trays are designed to keep bleaching gel sealed against your teeth and away from your gums. It is best to use customized trays.

Dentists provide bleaching gel based on the causes of stains in a patient’s teeth, the level of sensitivity the bleaching gel may cause for the patient, and the fact that custom bleaching trays are provided. A teeth whitening system that works for one patient may not work for another patient. If the bleaching gel is too strong for your teeth, you are unable to dilute it. You may need a get that has a lower concentration of the bleaching agent. But the problem may be due to using Invisalign aligners instead of custom teeth-whitening trays.

Although you received free teeth-whitening gel from your cousin, it might not be the best option for you. If you want your teeth whitened, speak with your dentist about your options for receiving it during your Invisalign treatment. It’s the safest way to get it done.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Expiration date for free teeth whitening?

I have been looking for the best sources for free teeth whitening. I actually found a few websites to get it from but then when it was time to check out, I noticed that the shipping and handling was about $20 and up. So that’s not exactly free. I can probably get something for that price from Walmart. My sister lives in GA and I was talking to her about it last week. She said that she got her teeth whitened from her dentist and she has more free teeth whitening gel than she could ever use so she can send me some of that. I think that is a smart move. She can’t remember when she got the gel or if it goes bad after a while. Is there an expiration date for it? – Gabriele

Gabriele – A box of whitening gel should have an expiration date on it. But if you have tubes that are not in a box, depending on the brand, the date may not be on the tube. Typically, the gel lasts up to one year if it is not refrigerated, or up to two years if it is kept in the refrigerator. We don’t recommend that you use your sister’s extra bleaching gel in order to get your teeth whitened free.

A dentist dispenses whitening gel based on each patient’s case. The strength of gel and the brand can be varied according to each patient’s needs. Whitening gel that is right for one patient may be too weak—or too strong—for another patient.

Also, free teeth whitening supplies from a dentist are meant to be used with custom bleaching trays that help the gel penetrate your teeth while keeping it off of your gums. What type of trays will you use for teeth whitening? How will you ensure the professional-strength gel stays in contact with your teeth and doesn’t ooze out and burn your gums?

You will get better, more predictable results, from your dentist. Your teeth and gums will be examined first to determine if it is the best time to whiten them, or if there are other dental issues that need to be addressed first.

Your dentist will also provide you with custom trays and bleaching gel that is right for your circumstances. Some dentists provide free teeth whitening to patients who maintain regular dental cleaning appointment. Speak with your dentist about how he or she can make teeth whitening affordable for you.

 

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Are lemon juice and baking soda a safe way to whiten my teeth for free?

I have been looking for ways to whiten my teeth for free or cheap. I guess nothing is free but I found some DIY ways to get it done. I know that baking soda can whiten teeth but I found a few sites that said that fresh lemon juice can make the baking soda more effective. I have been trying it for a couple of weeks but my teeth only look a little whiter. It is very slight. I told a friend about what I was doing and she asked me if the acid from the lemons will eventually mess up my teeth. I just did some more research and I think she might be right, but the information conflicts what was recommended in the first place. Is adding the fresh lemon juice to the baking soda harmful? Agapi

Agapi – Acid erodes tooth enamel. Citrus fruits, including lemons, are acidic. Lemons are highly acidic, and if regularly applied to your teeth, will cause damage your tooth enamel and cause decay. Your teeth won’t have the whiteness and gloss that you want.

Citric acid is often contained in cleaning products, which gives you an idea of how powerful it is. It’s also in soda, which can erode your tooth enamel with contact and create excess stomach acid. Excess stomach acid can create acid reflux, which can further damage your teeth.

It is recommended that you thoroughly rinse your mouth after you eat or drink acidic foods, and drink plenty of water. And definitely stay away from the lemon juice on your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth right after consuming acidic foods or drinks.

It’s good that you listened to your friend and did extra research on the effects of lemon juice on your teeth. Talk with your dentist about how to affordably and safely get your teeth whitened. Some dentists offer free whitening if you stay current with dental cleanings. It’s the best way to keep your teeth enamel and get a bright smile.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

I think I over-bleached my teeth

I have been bleaching my teeth myself for the past 2 years, at least every 2 weeks, sometimes every week. I leave the bleach on my teeth for 1 to 2 hours at a time. At first they looked beautiful but now I am getting scared that I have totally messed up. I guess I overdid it. Within the past 3 or 4 months my teeth have started looking very dull, somewhat gray. I have avoided my usual dentist because I didn’t go through him to get the bleaching gel. Could I have overdone it bleaching my teeth? Is there a way to reverse what I have done or have I messed up my teeth for good? Zoelle

Zoelle – Many people want an exceptionally white smile. Teeth bleaching gel contains carbamide peroxide, which if overused, can cause teeth to become brittle and discolored.

If you haven’t done so already, give your teeth a break from the bleaching gel. Use toothpaste that re-mineralizes your teeth, such as ProEnamel. If you are not comfortable returning to your current dentist, find an experienced cosmetic dentist to have your teeth examined. After examining your teeth, the dentist can tell you how extensive the damage is and whether or not your natural teeth can be recover from the over-bleaching, or if cosmetic dentistry is needed.

Cosmetic dentistry, including porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding—depending on a patient’s case—can be used to beautifully restore teeth.

For our readers: Getting your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist helps ensure that teeth bleaching is right for you. Bleaching gel is available in different strengths, and a cosmetic dentist can determine which solution is best for your case. Also, your dentist is able to monitor the progress of the whitening and determine if adjustments need to me made.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX family dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Can I wear teeth whitening strips all night?

I got 6 boxes of free teeth whitening with an online purchase. It sounded exciting because I’ve always wanted to whiten my teeth, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth it to spend $30 to $40 dollars on strips. I started using the free ones 6 weeks ago. For the first 2 weeks, I started wearing them every night for 30 minutes just as the instructions said I should but I didn’t see any results. So I bumped up the time to an hour for and I am still not seeing anything different. I want to stretch out the time that I wear them and I am wondering if it’s okay to wear them for the whole night. Thx Kip

Kip – You should only wear the whitening strips for the instructed time. If you wear them overnight, unless they are made to stay secure, they will probably come off of your teeth. Even if you receive teeth bleaching gel from a dentist, it should only we kept in contact with your teeth for the amount of time instructed.

Keeping whitening strips or bleaching gel in contact with your teeth for too long can burn your gums or cause your teeth to become very sensitive. It is possible to over-whiten your teeth, which can cause discoloring.

If you have been using whitening strips for six weeks and have seen no results at all, they probably aren’t any good at all. Although whitening strips will brighten your teeth more slowly than whitening from the dentist, you should see some improvement.

It is not unusual for free teeth bleaching kits not to work at all, unless you receive free whitening from a dentist. If you want whitening strips that work, it’s best to buy some that contain carbamide peroxide. This is the whitening ingredient in professional gel, but the strips will contain less of it.

Have you asked your dentist about teeth whitening? Some dentists provide it to customers who keep their regularly scheduled appointments for cleanings and exams. If your dentist doesn’t provide it you may be surprised at how he or she can make it affordable for you.

This post is by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy

Can I use my sister’s free teeth whitening gel?

My sister’s dentist gives her free teeth whitening gel with every dental cleaning because she has been with the office for more than 5 years. I looked in her frig over the weekend and she has an accumulation of gel and I asked her for some it. I have been wanting to whiten my teeth for years but I haven’t been able to afford it. I would think that she would gladly give me some of her gel because she can’t use it all, but she went into this story about not knowing if I should do it on my on because what if it’s too strong for my teeth and yahdee yahdee yahdee… Is there a problem with me using some of the gel that she has? Thanks. Jyneen

Jyneen – Your sister has a valid concern. It is possible that the whitening gel is too strong for your teeth. If your teeth are sensitive, a lower-strength bleaching gel can help you keep the gel in contact with your teeth longer and get them white without causing sensitivity.

There is also the question of how you will apply the gel. Do you have customized bleaching trays? Trays that are made specifically for your teeth will prevent the gel from oozing out and burning your gums. Are you sure that whitening your teeth with gel is the correct solution for removing the stains? Depending on the cause of the stains, bleaching gel can make the stains more noticeable.

If you decide to use your sister’s gel, you may want to ask your own dentist a few questions to find out if whitening your teeth yourself is a good idea. Find out the percentage of carbamide peroxide the bleaching gel contains to help determine if it’s safe for your use, or if a lower strength is needed to safely whiten your teeth.

This post is by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Switch dentists to get free teeth whitening for life?

I can get whitening trays and bleaching gel from my dentist for a little more than $300. This is something I have been trying to negotiate with or make payment plans on but the office doesn’t permit it anymore because they’ve been burned by too many people when they did offer payment plans or discounts.

After searching online I see several dentists in my town who offer free teeth whitening for life. Now that sounds like a good deal to me. I am wondering though, what’s the catch? Some of the dentists even mention that they will give you custom trays too. This has me considering switching dentists so I don’t have to spend $300 on something that could be free. Is it worth the switch? Carlene

Carlene – Before you switch dentists, think about the reasons that you like your dentist, the office, the staff, and whether or not you can get those same things from another dental office. Consider where the office is located. Is convenience going to be an issue? Make a list of the pros and cons of making a switch.

If you still want to explore your options, choose two or three dentists who offer free teeth whitening. Find out what the whitening kit  includes. Is it just the bleaching gel, or are custom trays included? If the bleaching trays are lost or damaged, is there a fee to replace them? What kind of bleaching gel will you receive, and how effective is it? How long are you required to be a patient before you receive this benefit?

If you are still interested in free whitening from a particular dentist, schedule a consultation to see the office, and meet the dentist and his or her staff. Some dentists who offer this complimentary service have exclusions. For instance, in some cases, Medicare or Medicaid patients are not eligible for the free service.

Get the information you need to make an informed decision before you switch.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening trays cut my gums

I got a free teeth whitening kit. They trays are supposed to be one size fits all but for some reason they cut my gums either when I put them on or take them off. They haven’t cut my gums every time, but last night the cut was pretty bad and it bled for about 15 minutes. My gums still hurt and now I am afraid to put the trays back on because I think the gel will burn on the cut. Is there a way I can smooth out the edges on the trays so they fit right? Thanks. Aleis

Aleis – We don’t recommend that you try to adjust or smooth the trays. If you trim the trays too much, even after your gums heal, the bleaching gel can burn your gums overall because the gel will spill out over the edges.

We do recommend that you discontinue using the trays and get properly fitting trays from your dentist. The trays from your dentist will not be one-size-fits all trays. They will be based on impressions of your teeth and be customized to ensure that you get maximum results from bleaching gel.

Many patients hesitate to ask for teeth whitening from their dentist because of the cost. But you don’t know until you ask. You may be surprised at how your dentist will work with your budget to make teeth whitening affordable for you. Some dentists even offer free teeth whitening. Find out what options your dentist offers patients to safely brighten your smile.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Can I get free or discounted teeth whitening from more than one dentist at a time?

I have seen a few online coupons from dentist for free teeth whitening if you schedule an exam. I called the offices and some dentists give whitening sessions in the office, but the catch is that the number of sessions they will do are limited.  I have to pay for more sessions.  Others just have whitening strips. I am wondering if I go to two different dentists will they each do the whitening for me so my teeth can get super white? – Journee

Journee – If the whitening session requires an exam or a dental cleaning, a portion of your visit will be submitted to your dental insurance company. You will have to pay out-of-pockets expenses for duplicate dental exams or cleanings, and you may end up paying more money than you would by just sticking with one dentist.

Also, too much teeth bleaching is not good for your teeth. It is possible to over-bleach them. Over-bleached teeth can become weak and have a grayish color. Select one dentist, receive the in-office treatment, and after a couple of weeks the color in your teeth will stabilize. You may need an additional in-office treatment, but a take-home kit for you to continue whitening may be all that is needed.

Weigh your options carefully, but don’t rush to have your teeth whitened by more than one dentist. The results can be less than desirable.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.