You may have seen this home remedy for teeth whitening on the Internet where they show you how to mix lemon juice and baking soda, and apply the mixture to your teeth as a whitening agent, and gently brushing it off with a toothbrush. They tell you not to leave the mixture on your teeth any longer than one minute to avoid eroding your tooth enamel. While this remedy may work for some people, it’s not recommended. Although your teeth may appear to be whiter afterwards, you may have actually eroded and abraded some enamel from your teeth. Lemon juice is very acidic and will erode your enamel layer. Also, baking soda is abrasive. Once your tooth enamel has eroded, it’s gone forever. Unfortunately, we cannot regrow it at this time.
How much does Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) cost?
Since every patient’s situation is unique, the cost of oral appliance therapy varies, based on the type of appliance prescribed and the type of insurance you have. But, generally speaking, prescription, custom-fit mandibular advancing appliances cost roughly $2000 to $4000 including dentist fees. Your medical insurance may cover some or all of the cost of the oral appliance. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance deductible as well. It is always a good idea to check with your insurance company first.