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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.