If you are not a registered member of our community, please click here to register...


 Home Message Boards Health Guide Join for Free Testimonials About Us
Search
   
  


PDA

View Full Version : Whitening Question


MoonLight0
01-06-2007, 02:29 PM
This isn't really a major problem, I'm just wondering what else I can do to whiten my teeth.
My teeth are always the same shade, never super white, but not yellow either. I personally find them kinda dull looking... (other people have said that they like my teeth - I don't, they're just not as white as they could be.)


Well anyway... I have a routine that I do all the time to try and get them as white as possible, but I don't see any change. I brush my teeth with baking soda and peroxide regularly (every other day or every 3 days), I aways use whitening toothpastes (Colgate and Arm&Hammer), and I also chew whitening gum that's supposed to remove surface stains and whatnot.
Just yesterday I ran out of peroxide and decided to try the Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse since it contains peroxide as well. But it says that results are expected in approximately 12 weeks (way too long, though I plan on using it anyway in hopes that I'll see a difference).

I've also used the Colgate White Gel in the past, but it didn't really do a whole lot for my teeth as far as I could tell. Nothing seems to make a drastic difference, at least not drastic enough for me to notice at all.

So basically I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do. I know there are those Crest White Strips, and I've thought about trying them since so many people say that they produce wonderful results... but I'm not sure about it. They're way too expensive, and I've also heard that the results don't last very long, and they make teeth very sensitive to hot/cold. I don't want to ruin my teeth by whitening them with anything harsh.
Plus I don't see the point of whitening my front teeth only. If I'm going to whiten my teeth, I want them all to be the same shade.

Right now my front teeth are whiter than the ones in the back, and it's really bothering me. I find it kinda gross.

Basically I'm wondering if there's anything else out there I haven't tried that works well, doesn't cost a lot, and won't completely ruin my teeth?

P.S. I don't smoke, drink coffee, tea, red wine, soda, or anything that would stain my teeth significantly.

noodles3
01-06-2007, 09:10 PM
The whitestrips are probably the most economical. I find they work great for minor staining but to get the entire tooth you need moulds taken which is a more expensive process but one your dentist can do. There are take home kits which you can use with the moulds and they are excellent for whitening all your teeth, back and front. The price range could be around 350.00.

MoonLight0
01-06-2007, 11:49 PM
Okay, thanks.
I probably won't be spending that much for whitening teeth any time in the near future. There is no way I could afford that at this point in my life (college students can't afford much these days, heh).
But I will probably try the white strips when I get a chance. I just got a coupon for $5 off... so hopefully they will work and won't cause sensitivity.

Spandex
01-07-2007, 05:03 PM
whitestrips work amazingly well considering their low cost.
You will definitely see a brighter smile at the end of the 2 week process.

anitak1982
01-08-2007, 10:07 AM
My Dentist and my children's dentist said NO baking soda.It is too scratchy for the enamel.

My son's dentist told him to use Crest White strips that it is basically the same stuff he uses in office. My son bought them and kept using them until he got the shade he wanted even doubling up on the boxes. Took two treatments and his teeth are the bleached shade he wanted.

MoonLight0
01-08-2007, 09:32 PM
Thanks everyone.
I've heard from different people totally different stories about baking soda. Many people I've talked to about it say that their dentists recommended brushing with baking soda once or twice a week because it's actually healthy for teeth, plus it whitens them.
But others have said that it's too abrasive or whatever.

I've been using it for a really long time and haven't seen any harm done from it.
And I figure most whitening toothpastes contain baking soda in them... and if they put it in that, it must be okay for brushing as well.

I'm definitely going to try the white strips though. I've read a lot of very good reviews.

 
 
 




Site owned and operated by HealthBoards.com (TM)
Copyright and Terms of Use © 1998-2008 HealthBoards.com (TM) All rights reserved.
Do not copy or redistribute in any form!