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Is it True That Ancient Egyptians Whitened Teeth with Urine?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m trying to come up with low-cost ways to bleach my teeth so I don’t have to get Zoom whitening done at my dental office. I know it sounds gross, but I swear I heard that people in Egypt used to use urine to make their teeth whiter. Is this true? If so, is it safe? — Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
You’re pretty close on your history. It was actually the ancient Romans who gave their teeth urine baths. Ammonia, which is a common household cleaner, can be found in urine, and does have the ability to brighten a smile. Although it’s effective, it takes some time and the Romans were advised to make it part of their regular regimen. It’s no surprise that, today, most people prefer Zoom whitening because it’s faster, more predictable, and, of course, a lot less gross!

The Egyptians, on the other hand, were more prone to using a pumice mixture. Interestingly, pumice is still found in the prophy paste hygienists use to polish teeth today. Although it can help remove stains on the surface of a tooth, it can’t get stains that have seeped into a tooth.

Either case may be considered a step up from the methods used in the early 19th century. Barbers, who were often the one-stop-shop for all things hair, medical, and dental-related, used to shave teeth down and apply acid to them. Sure, they became whiter, but without the protective enamel, they also decayed rapidly.

Techniques have improved over the years because there was a need for it. Zoom whitening is a highly popular option because it delivers results safely,  quickly, and consistently. If you’re hoping for quality results, but need a smaller price tag than in-office Zoom whitening, ask your dentist about custom-made take-home trays. Take-home systems work in a very similar manner and provide results over a period of days or weeks, depending on how often you use them, the strength of the solution, and how long you wear them. Plus, they do so without giving you ammonia-breath, and your close family and friends are sure to prefer the newer, more professional methods, for that very reason.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Do affordable at-home whitening systems work?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I loved how white my teeth were after having an office whitening treatment a few years back. The dentist used a blue light method, but it was so expensive. I want to keep that bright-white smile, but can’t afford that cost year after year. Is there something cheaper I could use and would give me almost same results? — Miranda

Dear Miranda,
While those in-office treatments are the best for giving you a fast and beautifully, white smile, today’s dental technology offers a lot of other ways to whiten your teeth.

Have you checked into the teeth whitening trays your dentist can make? You’ll get similar results to the in-office treatment, but it will just take a little longer. The good news is that these trays can be used at home and are very affordable because you pay for them once (unless you mouth changes or they damaged or broken). The only expense you have after that is whitening gel for touching up or boosting your color.

There are also some dentist who will offer patients free bleaching trays and gel as an incentive to come in for regular cleanings. They will continue to give additional gel as needed provided you continue to follow-up with them for your routine visits.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can I whiten my teeth inexpensively at home?

Posted on by smiles4u.

A few years ago, I was able to save up so I could afford an in-office bleaching procedure. I was very happy with the results, but I really can’t afford to do it again. I’d love to find a cheaper alternative that I could do at home, but will I be able to achieve the same results?
–Sam

Sam,
Just imagine living in during 17th or 18th century where teeth whitening meant saving down your teeth and bathing them in acid. Thankfully, for us, teeth whitening has come a long way since then and you now have all sorts of options to choose from depending on your budget, how quickly you want to get the job done or how white you want to go.

Today, most dental offices offer custom-made whitening trays. While you’ll get similar results as the in-office treatments, it takes longer. The trays are yours to keep for later use, so that means only a one-time expense as long as you take good care of them and there are no changes to your mouth. The only thing you need to do is purchase the whitening gel from your dentist as needed.

If you’re lucky enough, some dentists offer free bleaching trays and gel on a regular basis at your first visit as in incentive to continue with routine cleanings and check-ups.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.