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Lemon for Teeth Whitening

Could I whiten my teeth at home with lemons?

Karen

Dear Karen,

Lemons

Please don’t do this. Lemon is a citrus fruit, which contains a lot of citric acid. While there are videos talking about how lemon will whiten teeth, what they do not tell you is that the acid etches the enamel on your teeth, permanently damaging them.

The etching on the teeth, will mean your teeth will pick up stains much quicker, which is the opposite effect that you are likely going for.

If you want to whiten your teeth safely and effectively, I recommend you do it with a dentist. There are over-the-counter teeth whitening products that will work. Their only real downside is that they are not very strong. Because of that, you will have to do many kits to get the same amount of whitening you would get with your dentist.

This blog is brought to you by a Douglas, AZ Dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado.
Click here to learn about white fillings.

Luster Premium Home Whitening Kits

I got Luster Premium Home Whitening. I was super diligent and always used the light. At first, it looked like there was some real whitening, but then my teeth got worse. Am I doing something wrong?

Carol

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Dear Carol,

I’ve looked at this kit and I have some bad news for you. The whole thing is a waste of money. First, the light. It doesn’t really do anything. It is completely bogus and is just there to make patients think it is doing something. Second, the whitening gel. Rather than the type of whitening ingredient a dentist (or legitimate kit) would use, it’s actually using the pigment in zinc oxide, which is what they call their super whitener. Unfortunately, a pigment will only work temporarily.

The good news is, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just a fake kit. The bad news is that even though it is a fake kit, there is not likely anything you can do to get your money back. It did “whiten” your teeth, even if only temporarily.

The Best Way to Get Teeth Whitening

If you really want to get your teeth whitened, the best way to do it is with a dentist. Not only is the procedure safe, but it is more effective. You’ll whiten in a fraction of the time you will get your teeth whitened from any over-the-counter kit, even ones that work. In fact, the amount of kits you would have to buy would come close, if not equal to, what you’d pay just getting it done right in the beginning.

This blog is brought to you by Douglas, AZ Dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado.
Click here to read about Porcelain Veneers.