Teeth Whitening | Naperville Cosmetic Dentistry

Can You Damage Enamel By Whitening Your Teeth Too Much?

The first time I saw my wife, she was covered in mud from head to foot from a powder puff football game played in the rain. The only thing not caked in mud were her teeth. Let me tell you, her smile was radiant. I fell instantly in love. I’m still in love with both her and her smile to this day. I say that as a preface because I’m […]

My Crown Was Whiter Than My Teeth Now It’s the Other Way Around

I have a dental crown. For the last few years, it’s been whiter than my teeth. I drink a lot of coffee, so the natural assumption is the coffee’s been staining my teeth, but not the crown. I decided to whiten my teeth. It worked. My teeth look much whiter and brighter now. The problem is they’re whiter than the crown now. My dentist thinks everything looks fine, but said […]

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on dark stains in teeth from Naperville cosmetic dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Can Whitening Trays Sub for Retainers?

I lost my retainer. I don’t get paid for another week and a half. There’s no money in my account. There’s no way I can get a new retainer until I’m paid. Even then I won’t have all the money. Can I use my teeth whitening trays instead? Serena P. – Ohio Serena, Unfortunately, teeth whitening trays won’t work. They’re designed to be soft and flexible, not hard like retainers. […]

Can I whiten just one tooth?

I have a crown on one tooth. It has started picking up stains. I have had it for quite some time, so that’s not suprise. I don’t want to pay to whiten all my teeth, just the crown, but wondered if you can just whiten one tooth? Monica M. – Atlanta, Georgia Monica, When you whiten teeth, you whiten an entire arch. However, you’re not asking about a natural tooth. […]

Clorox for white teeth??

I have a friend with really white teeth who says she does it herself by gargling with clorox bleach. Is this safe? It seems to work for her. Claire- Mississippi Claire, People sometimes get confused about teeth whitening. They hear that dentists bleach teeth, and think that the clinics use acctual bleach. In reality, dentists use a very specific peroxide solution, that is too strong to be done over the […]

Can only afford veneers on my top teeth

I want to get porcelain veneers, but my dentist wants me to get them on every tooth. I just can’t afford that. Is it completely necessary? Can I just get the top teeth? Marnita – South Dakota Marnita, I’m a little concerned by what you’re saying. Do you mean your dentist wants you to put a veneer on every tooth? Top and bottom? Even your back teeth? That is a […]

Avoiding atomic teeth

A co-worker of mine had her teeth whitened. For the most part I like how they look, but they’re just too bright. In fact, some people in the office call them atomic teeth. Is there a way to whiten your teeth without ending up looking like a radioactive experiment gone wrong? Carrin – Memphis, TN Carrin, Yes, there is a way to control the level of whitening you get. The […]

No veneers on bottom teeth?

My dentist said we don’t usually put veneers on bottom teeth, though they can do it. I’m wondering if I don’t do the veneers, won’t my smile be obviously different between the top and bottom? Denise L. – West Virginia Denise, I’m surprised your dentist didn’t give you all the information. While it is true that we don’t usually put veneers on your bottom teeth, that is because you can […]

Questions about whitening

I am getting a dental crown and opted to whiten my teeth first. I am going to use the gel my dentist is giving me, but I had some questions. First, I’ve had my teeth whitened before so this is just like a touch up of sorts. How long does it take for a touch up? I’m trying to figure out when to schedule my crown appointment. Second, how long […]

Fast makeover

OK, please don’t think I am shallow, but I want to know what is the fastest way to makeover my teeth that doesn’t cost a lot of money. I have a reunion coming up in three months. I wan’t going to go, but then thought if I can make myself over I might show up. I don’t have much money. I can get a new haircut, buy a new outfit, […]