Teeth Whitening
 

Any recommendations? :shrug: I can't afford to have them done professionally, so has anyone had luck with the kits you buy at a drugstore? I've heard Crest Whitestrips are good - true?

I tried some stuff from Rembrandt (I think) and well, it tastes awful and there wasn't a huge difference. It's a gel, and you put it into these mouth guard things....

I didn't try whitestrips because they were way more expensive than what I tried - though what I tried didn't work so :shrug:

Do you have sensetive teeth? A friend of mine who tried the Whitestrips said she'd never been in more pain :shrug:

No. Not yet, anyway. :laugh:

from someone who has had everything from professional to the strips, my recommendation is to get the Go Smile from Sephora or Get White from Suzanne Somers. both are about $100, but will not leave your teeth sensitive and are much easier to use.

I don't know about Paula - but $100 is way out of my teeth whitening league...although - this IS Paula's thread....I want answer too :D

I understand. it is better than $400 for professional, especially since it doesn't make your teeth sensitive. but the improved whitestrips are the best bet for the $30 range.

YES!!! right up may alley!!

anyway *L* You can try the crest strips-problem is, they don't fit your teeth at all, and kinda move around. So if you have a gag reflex I would not try this. I got some at a convention and hated the way they "Bubbled up". You may also be able to buy a "whitening" toothpaste from your dentist. It's fairly inexpensive ($7.00 here) and you can get pretty good results. Any thing over the counter will probably give you decent results, you will probably just have to use it more often than you would something from your dentist. In addition to that, if you end up using an over the counter product more frequently, by the time you get them white, you probably would have spent the same amount with your dentist.

also-if you end up going the route through your dentist, ask them if you can have a prescription strenth flouride toothpaste prior to whitening(but takes about 3 weeks to work. It will help with any sensitivity you may have and will also help prevent decay. (I've even had a case where that rx toothpaste alone whitened a patients' teeth!) -sensodyne may help as well. Are your teeth normally sensitive to begin with? can you bite down into ice cream without any problems? Are they sensitive when you get them cleaned?

^ No sensitivity. I've tried Colgate Total Whitening, but not consistently so I haven't seen any improvement.

Is it worth it to buy whitening mouthwash too? :shrug: I assumed it was a marketing ploy - do these OTC products really work?

And Jazzy, I just can't do $100 no matter how pearly white they might end up. :p But thanks for the info.

I like the Whitestrips, but I have SLIGHTLY sensitive teeth and they could hurt like a BITCH. But they work really well, and are often on sale.

You guys are scaring me. :p Do they hurt only when they're applied, or even after you remove them?

I really liked them. I started seeing pretty good results just after a few day.

But, the next time I used them, hurt like a sumbitch. I guess my teeth was having a sensitive day. I really want to give them another try, but still a little gun shy.:(

If you have sensitive teeth, you'll feel it instantly! I did anyway, hurts for just a lil bit.

:laugh: That's why I didn't buy them, my friend who tried them said they really hurt!

I don't have overly sensetive teeth, but I've heard too many people say they hurt.

What about that brush-on stuff?

I had some sensitivity but it was really no big deal and the results are excellent. My brother is a smoker and used them and his teeth went from yellow to white. I would recommend the Crest Whitestrips.

My friend had good luck with those Whitestrips. Good luck Paula, hopefully you can find something that will work for you.

I've used the Whitestrips a few times and gotten pretty good results. One of my front teeth is sensitive, so I use the strips before I brush my teeth and that helps. It still hurts at first, but then it goes away after a little bit.

I've also tried the brush on stuff and the results aren't nearly as good as the Whitestrips are. But there are no sensitivity issues with it.

I looked at the ingredients in whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, and compared them to regular of the same, and the ingredients were exactly the same. So, you know, make sure there are at least different ingredients if it says "whitening". :laugh:
I get this gel stuff that comes in a tube. It's cheap, of course. I only use it very occasionally, because things like that can wear the enamel off your teeth. But, I notice a bit of difference each time. I'll see what it is.
My friend had hers done professionally about a year ago, and it cost over $1000. Ridiculous. They look fab, though.

you know...I really want Lumineers. cheaper and better than veneers and you don't have to have all the dentistry to shave the teeth down. I only want like 4. that'll have to wait for a while though.

Crest Whitestrips Premium are awesome! I have sensitive teeth and have never had a problem. I only use them now and then, like if I have a special occasion or something. After you use them for the first week, twice a day (I didn't even do that) I found that after about 4 days my teeth were white, so I stoppped. I find you only need to do them now and then. They are more expensive, but are worth it and yes they are on sale alot here too. I highly recommend them! :thumbsup:

You are suppose to use them before you brush (that way they have some food and film to adhere to :nod: )

I've heard the White Strips worked good also. I did Brite Smile a couple of years ago and my teeth are still white but it made my teeth really, really sensitive.

I agree - I used them with great results - it cost me like $40.00 for two boxes and I did not use all of the second box.

I looked into the laser light method, but I heard too many stories of not good enough results or at least not good enough for the extra $360 :shrug:

it is usually only sens when you have them in. after you take them out, you may have a little sens, but make sure to stay away from real acidic things-orange juice, lemonade-etc. also real ice cold things for the first few hours after application. OTC things "do" work, but they will mostly take the edge off of stain that you have gotten over the past few years. you probably won't get that "wow" factor. Keep in mind, tobacco producs, coffee, tea, soy sauce, mustard/ketchup, red sauces (my fav..pizza/spaghetti), blueberries and red wines stain your teeth easily. Another thing to keep in mind-if you are, or ever become pregnant-discontinue use until you stop nursing.

also-there were a few comments about not brushing your teeth prior to whitening. For OTC, it very well could be like that, although I'm not familiar with that method. Your teeth have millions of tubules in them that pack with stain over the years. The bleach material goes in and flushes out those tubes and packs flouride in there that helps keep them from staining again. If you have plaque, residue or food particles on your teeth, it is going to have to work that much harder to get through that material to whiten your teeth. Granted- you may not be as sensitive, but the effect may not be as good.

as far as mouthwashes go-don't hold me to this, but I doubt they work-so don't waste your money. Unless it requires you to swish for 30 minutes.....It probably will only help remove plaque (which can cause the teeth to look yellow also, but that's what a good ol' toothbrush is for ;) )


I really do have to apologize for posting so much on this topic-but this is what I live for. I love teeth-every aspect of them-so I just want to give you as much info as I possibly can so you can make a good decision as to what will work best for you :sorry: Happy whitening!!!!

I concur! You must get the Premium ones! Check the Sunday paper, they often have $5 off coupons - and then wait for a sale at Target or wherever and buy them! I use up the whole package - twice a year - right after I've had my teeth cleaned. My dental hygienist tells all of her patients that I am living proof that they work. I do have a bit of sensitivity when I use them, but it goes away after a day or two...the other reason not to brush right before is so your gums are not as sensitive, it kinda stings mine, but not too bad, and not for more than a couple minutes. :D

I have to agree with the others: Crest White Strips work. I used the regular (cheapest) version in 2004, and I was very pleased with the results. In fact, on my regular dental visit several months after using them, my dentist said, "So we whitened your teeth?" He thought I had used their professional product.

I have sensitive teeth, so I was reluctant to try the premium version, thinking that stronger product would equate to more sensitivity.

However, recently I did another round of the regular strips, because my teeth were looking less white again (the results last about a year), and this time I was very ready for the 14 days to end because my teeth were hurting so much. It's not so much pain while wearing them; it's general pain and sensitivity during the entire 14 days of treatment.

After that experience and after reading some of these posts about the premium strips, I'm thinking that the faster option would be better.

My husband tried the paint on stuff, which you put on at bedtime and clean off in the morning. He didn't stick with it, because he hated having to paint the stuff on and hold his lips away while it dried.

I've tried that too. it was the worst as far as teeth whiteners go. not only do you have to hold your lips while it dries, but the stuff gets in your mouth while you sleep and the next morning you have this gross crusty stuff on your teeth...just wasn't really user-friendly

I have a question for you, Michelle.....What happens to existing crowns when you use a whitener? I thought about having the professional whitening done (my flex plan pays half), but I have a crown in the front. I was going to get an old silver filling replaced and another crown put on that tooth, but the dentist said, if I'm going to do whitening, to do that before the crown is put on and then the crown would be made to match the newly whitened teeth. I understand all that, but what happens to existing crowns??? :shrug:

Thanks, Michelle!

Carol

the reason you want to get the crown second is because the crown will not whiten. If you whiten your teeth, any crowns you have will stay the same color and the rest of your teeth will be white. Give yourself a big smile in the mirror. If you can see any, they will probably look a lot darker after you whiten-so if there are several, you may want to reconsider whitening. Also-silver fillings will appear slightly darker. As far as damaging your crown-nothing like that will happen. It will completely be an esthetic issue. But now would definately be the time to do it since you have to have a crown in the front.

Good luck!! :)

ps-that is VERY awesome that your flex plan will pay for part of your whitening. Usually they don't :)

one more thing that I forgot to add to that post
if you have any fillings on your front teeth, those will not whiten either. So be careful of that :)

I don't. But that's a good tip. :D

Paula, there is a link to a $7 coupon on the whitestrips.com page. Also, I noticed they are on sale at Drugstore.com. I have used them, and I think they helped, but I didn't properly follow the 30 min/twice a day directions, so I might do it all over.

I do, so I guess whitening isn't in the cards for me... a crown AND fillings on front teeth! :distress: My teeth are horrible. My dentist is constantly telling me "Oh, it would only be $15,000 or so to have them bonded...you'd have such a pretty smile." Hell, if I had 15 grand sitting around, I'd be in China adopting again!

Thanks for the free advice!

Carol

those are the kind I tried a couple of years ago - had to buy them from a dentists office as they were'nt in the stores yet. They worked great - and the results were quick and last a very long time.... And I have sensitive teeth sort of in the back, you know with cold stuff like ice cream and cold drinks or ice... but had no problems at all the these. I'd recommend white strips for sure. The inconvenience of wearing the strip twice a day for half an hour was no big deal. I'd throw one in in the morning as soon as I got up to get ready for work, before brushing and eating... And I'd throw one in the minute I walked in the door after work for a half hour and just chilled watching tv or something. I found I had to keep my mouth very still otherwise it would shift around. The thing is like the shape of a band aide, abit smaller, and you put it on the front and wrap it around under your teeth - so talking was sort of out of the question while it was in - because it moves.

hey-no problem and any time. Glad I could help.

but hey-if one day you stumble upon 15 grand..at least you know you have some options :D

I recommend Sensodyne toothpaste if you have oversensitive teeth from that carbomide peroxide product.

yes-sensodyne is the ****!!! only disadvantage (to any of them though) it's not immediate. It usually takes a few weeks to really get the full benefit :)