Teeth Whitening Rec's?

texstyle

Just wondering if any of you have tried any teeth whitening products (prefer at home use) that you have found to be good. I've tried the white strips type a few times and they are okay but do take quite a few sessions to show a difference and they can make your teeth feel sensitive.

7 years ago

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10 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Anonymous

I have the dentist-made ones with a tray and bleach. Works really well. I used it for a week to get things all crazy-white, and now use it every once in awhile to "touch things up". A bit $$ but worth it.

7 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

lisap - I wonder, did you have sensitivity after the initial week? Maybe it's just part of the deal. I do use a toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide in it and that doesn't seem to bother me. I've also tried the micro-charcoal (weird to brush your teeth with black powder) but it does work if you are diligent about doing it for a long enough time each day (which I am not so willing to do I guess). I guess I could switch to white wine instead of red.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I did have a bit of sensitivity but nothing I couldn't handle. Dentist told me just to watch how much bleach I squirted into the mold - too much and it squishes up and over your gums, which is where the sensitivity comes into play. I wear these trays for 1/2 hour - not a big deal, I just do it before bed while I'm reading. And I don't drink much red wine for just this reason - lol. You could drink it through a straw , which helps, but looks ridiculous

7 years ago

Anonymous

Texstyle, I had the zoom whitening done by my dentist, and I got those "zingers" afterward. I can only describe it as zaps of sensitivity. I didn't like that at all, and never even used the touch-up supplies he gave me. I've been hearing a lot about how oil-pulling is supposed to do an amazing job of cleaning/whitening teeth, but the idea of squishing coconut oil around in my mouth for 20 minutes is making me drag my feet on trying it. So for now, it's Crest Whitening mouthwash, which seems to work pretty well.

7 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I do the in office sometimes but I am terrible about using the strips after. And I use Sensodyne for a week or so after in case of residual sensitivity.

7 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

I have had good luck with the charcoal if I swish it for three minutes a few times a week. It does help to do it 3 or 4 times the first week. Another product that has been helpful is Uncle Harry's Tooth Whitener. I actually prefer it, as it's not so messy. Of course, neither product gives you the super white of the dentist's trays. The other thing that has been somewhat whitening is ozone treatments at the dentist's office. I'm not sure how many dentists offer that, though.

I do oil pulling for 20 minutes about 5 times a week, and I haven't noticed a difference from that.

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have done oil pulling before, several years ago, and have just started again, but I don't think it whitens teeth. It did, however, really help my gums. It headed off some serious problems my periodontist saw back then -- he even marveled months later at the reversal of the problems. I stopped the oil pulling for years because it seemed the problem was under control. Unfortunately, the issues are recurring, so I thought I'd try the oil pulling again. Sorry, kind of a tangent, but since it was mentioned, I thought I'd share that experience. I don't think it made my teeth noticeably whiter, but I wish it did!

7 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I have used the same process as Lisap. I had the molds made many years ago and touch up about once per year. In my case I found it made my teeth very sensitive but I had to muscle through it as I had knocked my front teeth out and wanted my other teeth to match the implants. I do find the touch ups also sensitive but like Lisap mentioned be careful about how much you get on your gums.

7 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the input - lisap, I can just imagine me trying to drink my wine through a straw - and then accidentally knocking the wine coated straw out of the glass...

I have never tried oil pulling but I thought it was for general health, not necessarily for whiter teeth. 20 mins? I don't think I could endure 5 let alone 20.

I used to use a tooth powder years ago that was really good so I may try that again. I don't drink coffee or regular tea so at least it's only the red wine - at that is in the evening before I brush my teeth. I brush my teeth usually by 7 or 8 pm and that's my "cut off" for any drinking or eating except water.

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I also had sensitivity problems when using the strips, it kind of scared me away from other attempts. I have done the brushing with activated charcoal and I think it helped but I haven't done it regularly enough for lasting benefit.

7 years ago

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