Teeth Whitening (an alternative product) - Beauty & Cosmetics Message Board

Koot · 12-16-2003, 09:08 PM

In this past year I have undergone an extensive dental program, which includes periodontal work (for gingivitis), tooth removal, a crown and two root canals. I made a bad decision ten years ago by giving up my twice-yearly dental appointments for cleaning and evaluation…and I paid dearly for it! Anyway, after spending a lot of money and time in dental chairs my dental problems are finally behind me. My gums are healthy and both my dentist and periodontist praise me when I visit them on a rotating quarterly basis for follow-up visits. In fact yesterday I had an appointment with my periodontist for my regular three-month cleaning and evaluation, which brings me to the topic of my post.

The dental hygienist that cleaned my teeth was a lady in her forties. She had the most beautiful white teeth. Since dentistry was her profession I felt it was okay that I ask her how she got her teeth so white. Her answer was “ear drops”! Ear drops I said… Yes, ear drops!

She told me that the “professional strength” teeth whitening kits use Carbamide Peroxide to whiten teeth and that the store-bought whitening kits mainly use hydrogen peroxide to achieve the whitening affect. Carbamide peroxide is stronger and whitens the teeth faster than the strips do. I’ve learned that most of the professional strength kits use a 10%, 16% or 22% carbamide peroxide gel. She went on to tell me that Auro Ear Drops, which is found in most drug stores, uses 6 ½% carbamide peroxide and is available for about $5.00 for a .75 fluid ounce tube. She said this is what she used to whiten her teeth! Even though the percentage of carbamide peroxide is slightly lower than the 10% concentration normally used, it is still carbamide peroxide and works great to whiten teeth.

I asked her how it tastes and she said it really has very little taste to it and is very easy to use. She said that she didn’t even use the teeth cups (mouth pieces) found in the regular teeth whitening kits but instead just applied a little bit to the upper and lower front teeth and held it in her mouth for as long as she could, which was about fifteen or 20 minutes in most cases. She said that after a while the saliva buildup was the only reason spitting it out. And after spitting it out she said there was really no need to remove the remaining from her mouth because there was no bad taste or anything…in fact she said her mouth felt very clean after using it.

They way she used it was to spread it on her teeth five or six times a day whenever she had the time and swish it around toward the latter stages before spitting it out. She said her teeth started getting visibly whiter after using it just a few times the first day and continued to get whiter and whiter over the next week or so.

I haven’t tried this myself but I probably will because I know my teeth are stained and even the professional cleaning I get every three months doesn’t do much for stained dental enamel. I’m wondering if anyone else has tried this. Like she said, carbamide peroxide is carbamide peroxide! And she’s proof that it works great…

Abbey32 · 12-17-2003, 12:19 AM

What else is in the eye drops though? That is my concern? Something that may not be safe putting on the teeth or even in the mouth. I've heard that carbamide peroxide has to be 16% to acheive whiteness. And how can you hold saliva in your mouth for 15-20 minutes? I have to spit in a few seconds....and if she is holding that in her mouth that long.....the eye drops are just mixing with the saliva.

Audrey-B · 12-17-2003, 02:44 AM

Just a little correction....Koot said the dentist used "ear" drops........not "eye" drops. I agree though, who could hold any form of liquid in their mouth for 15-20 mins, no matter how good it taste. Very intersting though!!

Koot · 12-17-2003, 10:05 AM

Yes, it is ear drops, not eye drops.

I bought some and tried it myself. It really doesn't have much of a taste at all and I didn't have a problem leaving it in my mouth for 15 minutes. The consistency of the drops is slightly thick, much like a cooking oil.

When I first applied the thickish drops to my upper and lower front teeth it gave me a slight sensitiviity sensation, like cool water hitting my teeth. Then it began to fizzle just a little. I was able to just leave the drops, for the most part, where I originally applied it on my teeth but after a few minutes the my saliva buildup mixed with the drops...and I just held it around the front part of my mouth as if I was puckering my mouth. Toward the latter stages I swished it around for the remaining few minutes I held it in my mouth. There is no doubt that the spaces between the teeth will get whitened as well as all the teeth in your mouth...unlike when using the strips as I have been told. The drops actually leaves your mouth with a fresh feeling and taste.

I'll continue to use it and let you know what results I see. It will be interesting...especially since the tip [to use this product containing carbamide peroxide] came from a dental professional who used it successfully herself.

PS - I was told that the other vehicle (Anhydrous Glycerin) in the product, along with the 6 1/2% carbamide peroxide, was nothing that I should be concerned about putting in my mouth and that it was basically an inert agent that would cause no harm whatsoever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audrey-B

Just a little correction....Koot said the dentist used "ear" drops........not "eye" drops. I agree though, who could hold any form of liquid in their mouth for 15-20 mins, no matter how good it taste. Very intersting though!!

Koot · 12-18-2003, 10:50 AM

You people need to try this! It works great!!!

I had a crown put on about six months ago and chose a color that was two to three shades whiter than my other teeth because I had plans to eventually have my dentist professionally whiten my teeth. The dentist suggested that he could whiten my teeth to match the whiter crown so that is why I chose the whiter crown...and the crown is not seen when I smile since it's a molar. Well, let me tell you...

The Carbamide Peroxide ear drops really work...just like the dental hygienist said it would...and was proven by the looks of her teeth. My capped molar, which "was" two or three shades whiter than my other teeth is now at least two shades darker! The color of my cap has turned out to be a great reference color to determine what the Carbamide Peroxide is really doing. Amazing!!!