teeth whitener

[lemonade]

Hi everyone,

What are you all using to whiten your teeth? Crest Whitestrips? natural methods (strawberries) or do you have it done at the dentist?

I was doing strips but my teeth have gotten sensitive. Has anyone tried celebrity gosmile? I think its at sephora.

Can anyone recommend a method that they like that did not cause huge sensitivity?

[lemonade]

I meant to add that this is for everyday but also for looking good dancing and competing. Some dancers seem to do it so that it looks very natural.

[fascination]

white strips here ...off and on a few weeks before comps...thanks for reminding me

[etp777]

White strips here befoer comp, then routinely use a whitening toothpaste and chew a couple pieces of trident white every day.

[nucat78]

Dentist - Brite Smile. But it's pricey, $400, and not covered by insurance.

[Rugby]

No matter what whitener you use you will probably have some sensitivity due to root exposure. At least a week before you start using the whitener put a litlle bit of Sensodyne at the base of your teeth and leave it on overnight, or even for a few hours. No much, just a small amount. The Sensodyne helps block the tubules in your teeth that allow for sensitivity. I would suggest that if you use whiteners or have root exposure, and many of us do, to start using toothpastes such as Sensodyne or Crest Pro Health. These toothpastes work only if you use them on a continuous basis as they create a layering effect that wears away again if discontinued.
The in-office whiteners or take home custom gel-trays are stronger, and last much longer (the one I used lasted over 3 years) than the white strips. In the long run it may be cheaper as continually buying the white strips adds up over time.
Don't forget if you have veneers that no matter how much whitening you use it will not change their colour.

[nucat78]

Don't forget if you have veneers that no matter how much whitening you use it will not change their colour.

Yah. Veneers or fillings or anything synthetic will not whiten. If you're getting a crown or whatever and plan on whitening in the future, you might ask your dentist to go with a lighter shade.

(Trust me, I'm putting my dentist's kids through college.)

[dlgodud]

[quote=lemonade;655515]Hi everyone,

What are you all using to whiten your teeth? Crest Whitestrips? natural methods (strawberries) or do you have it done at the dentist?

Are those products they sell in drugstores really work? I doubt. If I need to do it, I will probably go to a dentist. I will do that next time I vist my parents. I guess it's much cheaper over there.

[Rugby]

Yah. Veneers or fillings or anything synthetic will not whiten. If you're getting a crown or whatever and plan on whitening in the future, you might ask your dentist to go with a lighter shade.


It is very important to whiten your teeth before any of the above is done. You are stuck with the colour once the procedure is over. If you whiten your teeth beforehand then than filling, veneer etc. will be matched to your now whiter teeth. Too late to whiten them afterward as now the filling or veneer will stand out or be off colour.

[wooh]

The Crest strips work well for me. I have very sensitive teeth though. The secret for me is to 1) don't brush before using them, brush after; 2) no soft drinks right before use, as the acid on the enamel combined with the strip makes for OUCH! 3) the twice per day strips, I use 1 every other day. It takes longer to get the same amount of lightening, but avoids the pain.
I also get the super Crest strips, whichever they are, use half the box then save the other half for 6+ months later. I don't need enough whitening to use it all at once.:D

[lemonade]

Are those products they sell in drugstores really work? I doubt. If I need to do it, I will probably go to a dentist. I will do that next time I vist my parents. I guess it's much cheaper over there.


Over where if you don't mind my asking? What part of the country are you in where its less expensive:):) My dentists charges a lot and I have plans to go do it actually, so I can just do it once and not worry anymore...BUT my only fear is that Friends episode when Ross did his teeth and they were glowing! I guess I am just worried they will overdo it on me and it will be too obvious! But I believe it would work out cheaper because of not buying all the kits over and over.

[lemonade]

No matter what whitener you use you will probably have some sensitivity due to root exposure. At least a week before you start using the whitener put a litlle bit of Sensodyne at the base of your teeth and leave it on overnight, or even for a few hours. No much, just a small amount. The Sensodyne helps block the tubules in your teeth that allow for sensitivity. I would suggest that if you use whiteners or have root exposure, and many of us do, to start using toothpastes such as Sensodyne or Crest Pro Health. These toothpastes work only if you use them on a continuous basis as they create a layering effect that wears away again if discontinued.
The in-office whiteners or take home custom gel-trays are stronger, and last much longer (the one I used lasted over 3 years) than the white strips. In the long run it may be cheaper as continually buying the white strips adds up over time.
Don't forget if you have veneers that no matter how much whitening you use it will not change their colour.

I forgot about Sensodyne!! Great idea!

[lemonade]

Dentist - Brite Smile. But it's pricey, $400, and not covered by insurance.

How did you pick the color? Did you have lots of sensitivity after? I have only done the more gradual methods...does the Brite Smile start to fade in time? Was it really blue-white at first?

[lemonade]

White strips here befoer comp, then routinely use a whitening toothpaste and chew a couple pieces of trident white every day.

I had not tried those toothpastes sine I use an organic one (with flouride:)) Ma have to think about that if you are really seeing a difference.

[lemonade]

white strips here ...off and on a few weeks before comps...thanks for reminding me


You're welcome! No sensitivity? I hate that:(

[BM]

White strips here befoer comp, then routinely use a whitening toothpaste and chew a couple pieces of trident white every day.

Ditto (although I haven't used the strips in months). The toothpaste and gum are daily methods for me, though. I won't buy gum if it isn't whitening.

With the Crest Strips, sometimes they irritate my teeth, too. If I notice it, I won't wear them for the full half hour (sometimes even taking them out five minutes early can help).

[nucat78]

How did you pick the color? Did you have lots of sensitivity after? I have only done the more gradual methods...does the Brite Smile start to fade in time? Was it really blue-white at first?

Ummm, don't recall how we choose the shade. I had zero sensitivity. Yes, Brite Smile needs "tune-ups" after time. Blue-white? No, but pretty amazing. My DDS gave me a set of before and after pics.

You get a set of trays and peroxide gel for maintenance but it's not as powerful as the Brite Smile process IME.

I don't know if there's a standard time period between treatments but I'd guess once a year would be about right. The unfortunate truth is that most people's teeth do gray or yellow as they age aside from smoking, drinking wine, etc. Mother Nature...

I guess to really do it right, you'd need full veneers like the Hollywood types. And if you're going to put that much into it, you might as well get a facelift, etc too.