Thread: Teeth

I was wondering if there was a good whitener on the market (over the counter, that is). I used to teach a girl that was a figure skater and her teeth looked like they could be used as a flashlight. Can you only get that shade from a dentist?

You know, a lot of it depends on the actual color of your teeth. Whiteners can only remove stains left by things like soda, coffee, red wine, cigarettes, etc. They can't do anything to change the natural color of your teeth, which, for most people, is not blindingly white and is often more on the off-white end of the spectrum. You can get veneers to cover up the real color of your teeth, but that's definitely a cosmetic dentistry proceedure.

I have had exceptionally good luck with the Crest white strips. They can make your teeth a little sensitive during the treatments. It goes away eventually. Also for a smaller more gradual change, the Listerine pre-brush whitening rinse does a good job and no sensitivity issues. I use it to keep up what the Crest strips did for me.

Well, I'm not sure I'm looking to light up the night, just wondering what can be used to remove damage (from tea and such). I haven't found a toothpaste that works well for that. Maybe I'll try the white strips.

I was just wondering the same thing! I drink a lot of tea and would really like to whiten up my teeth. I too will try the strips. Thanks!

Originally Posted by shahla

I have had exceptionally good luck with the Crest white strips. They can make your teeth a little sensitive during the treatments. It goes away eventually. Also for a smaller more gradual change, the Listerine pre-brush whitening rinse does a good job and no sensitivity issues. I use it to keep up what the Crest strips did for me.

I 2nd the Crest White Strips! Fairly affordable, consistently good results.

I like the Listerine Whitening, use it before brushing. It works and does not make my teeth sensitive, like the strips, and it is a lot cheaper.

Originally Posted by Azhia

I 2nd the Crest White Strips! Fairly affordable, consistently good results.

"3rd-ing" the Crest White Strips! Gotta try that pre-brush rinse/mouthwash by Listerine. Also, I use Mentadent whitening toothpaste (I think it helps).

I've had good results with the Crest whitestrips too. It's been a while since I've used them, so I'm looking forward to trying the new ones which are supposed to adhere to the teeth better. I did have an issue with the old ones slipping a bit, so was only able to do the top or the bottom at one time. It'll be a little while till my next dental cleaning, so I'll be trying them again after that. I like to use them after I get a cleaning, since I figure what's the point of trying to whiten with a several months' layer of plaque buildup.

I also use the Crest Extra Whitening toothpaste at least twice a day. I think that's why I don't have to re-use the strips more than once every couple years or so.

Only a dentist can give you the ridicu-white teeth that seem to be trendy now.

I've used Whitestrips, and also the ones Aquafresh makes, which I remember liking even more but can't remember why. It's something you have to do again every year or so, especially if you're a daily coffee drinker like me. If you're a smoker, there's not much point, really, it's not going to last a week. (I think it's a terrific thing to do the first week after quitting, though!)

I think I get better results from daily use of my Sonicare toothbrush. It was expensive, but soooo worth it.

(for those who know me and are thinking 'really, Lauren' you need to understand that my teeth were discolored by childhood medications AND I smoked for 25 years. The color they are now is a vast improvement.)

I've used the CVS tooth whitener stuff that comes in what looks like a nail polish bottle. Just look for something that has around 6% hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient, in a trustworthy brand, of course. This stuff works very nicely for me and I try to use it twice a year.

Also, experiment with lipstick colors. Some can make your teeth appear more white or more yellow in contrast. And try them in different lighting!

Hey Brea, I use some stuff called Dr. George's Dental White, it's a gel that you add to your toothpaste for a quick boost or you can apply to your teeth with a q-tip for 3 to 10 minutes or longer if you can stand it(ick). I think it works great. I got it at Walgreens I think and was rather inexpensive compared to some of the tooth whitening products out there

Thanks everybody, I will give these a try.

I got a peroxide from my dentist that was fairly reasonable and was astonishingly effective. When you get to this side of the pond drop me a line and I'll give you his details!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Only a dentist can give you the ridicu-white teeth that seem to be trendy now.

Umm, actually, the last time I had work done -had a bike accident and needed veneers and crowns to match the rest of my teeth - my dentist had to use the extra white color so they would look natural. He said he usually only saw that color after treatments. So, yeah, you could naturally have very white teeth. I can't even tell you how many times I've been told to do a Colgate commercial...not really funny after you hear it a hundred times. And I drank coffee since I was two. My dad has very white teeth, too, and he's in his late fifties. I have never used a bleacher of any kind.

Not trying to stir anything up ..l;,

Just saying...

Originally Posted by Mayliz

Umm, actually, the last time I had work done -had a bike accident and needed veneers and crowns to match the rest of my teeth - my dentist had to use the extra white color so they would look natural. He said he usually only saw that color after treatments. So, yeah, you could naturally have very white teeth. I can't even tell you how many times I've been told to do a Colgate commercial...not really funny after you hear it a hundred times. And I drank coffee since I was two. My dad has very white teeth, too, and he's in his late fifties. I have never used a bleacher of any kind.

Not trying to stir anything up ..l;,

Just saying...

Awesome! I'm jealous and happy for you at the same time.

Yes, to be accurate I should have said 'only a dentist can give you the ridicu-white look *unless you were born with it*'

My point was just that no OTC treatment can get typical teeth that white.

I am cheap- I gargle with watered down peroxide about 2x a week- which also helps with excessive plaque build up (yet another thing I discovered was actually genetic- thanks mom!) and keeps colds at bay. works better for me than any of the white strips I had tried & WAY cheaper!

My daughter and I are white teeth oholics. Or something. Our latest thing has been super cheap, and I think it's working. I think I paid about $7 at RiteAid for the complete kit, and somebody just got it for $3. This video tutorial is where we found it, and how to do it, but what she does could work for all the prducts. I paid $250 for my top teeth bleaching tray 10 years ago from my dentist, so this $7 thing makes me verry happy..
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqjPKja8VTk"]YouTube - How To Get Really White Teeth (bleaching - whitening)[/ame]

I've never had white teeth. It always disappoints me rather that even after I've had them cleaned at the dentist they're a creamy colour. But I do find peroxide and baking soda are good for getting rid of coffee/red wine staining.

My dentist and hygienist both recommended Crest WhiteStrips for the yellowish staining I have, which is mostly from drinking tea. Apparently they aren't usually as effective if your stains are more gray, but still worth a try. I've had good results with them when I remember to use them. Try to keep them from overlapping onto your gumline -- that can help prevent or reduce the sensitivity you might experience.

Seconding the electric toothbrush, too! I have an Oral-B Triumph (silly name), bought at a discount on Amazon, which really seems to make a difference.

I use baking soda once a week, it's what my dentist told me to use.

One thing to keep in mind, if you have any sort of thinned enamel or sensitive teeth, white strips may make your mouth extremely painful.

If you are interested in a less invasive dental procedure the "Zoom" whitening works well for some people.
(This is my disclaimer I have thin enamel and sensitive gums from too much orthodontic work. It's the worst pain I've ever experienced and I have an exceedingly high pain tolerance, it felt like chewing on electrified tin foil, though I understand normally it doesn't hurt at all.)

There was a toothpaste on the market a long time ago that gave you ridicu-white: Viadent. I WISH they still sold it. It was totally amazing. It was orange, kinda pastey but I constantly got comments on my white teeth, my dad, too. My whole family, actually, and they were regular soda drinkers.

Originally Posted by Lara L

I am cheap- I gargle with watered down peroxide about 2x a week- which also helps with excessive plaque build up (yet another thing I discovered was actually genetic- thanks mom!) and keeps colds at bay. works better for me than any of the white strips I had tried & WAY cheaper!

Actually, the active ingredient in whitening strips is peroxide!

So I might try this.

Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening Teeth

Qamar

Mentadent toothpaste or pearl drops. Don't forget to floss! I have always had redicu-white teeth and that's what I have used for years. I'm a tea and coffee drinker. I also down some knarly herbal remidies mentadent will get the stains off.

I second the peroxide. It's cheap. Just mix it about 50/50 with water & gargle. When I remember to use it regularly, it works great--I used to be told I had "the prettiest teeth" in my group of friends...but lately keep forgetting to buy the peroxide...

Thanks for sharing the Plus White video clip. I'm gonna try it out tomorrow!..g.:

Originally Posted by hollyraqxanc

Thanks for sharing the Plus White video clip. I'm gonna try it out tomorrow!..g.:

You're welcome! I like the part where she shows how to "use suction." For some reason, it just strikes my funny bone. I was never able to keep a peroxide solution in my mouth for long enough without spitting for it to do anything, so for me, this works (and tastes) better. My kit came with the bleaching gel and a rinse, but we don't even bother with the rinse, so if they just have the tube at your store, I'd get that. The trays are about $1 ea.

I use Scope Whitening Mouthwash. It really works!