Bleaching Teeth - YouLookFab Forum

I read in Oprah mag that Bobbi Brown (the makeup person) says one of the biggest things you can do for your looks is bleach your teeth.

I did this at the dentist's office about 10 years ago and had those little trays made where you bleach your teeth as a follow- up on your own.

Well my dentist now offers ZOOM where for $300 (he reduced the price for me--it usually is $475) I go in for about 2 hours and come out with white teeth.

I am tempted to do this because:
1. I am lazy to wear my trays. To do it right the dentist says I need to do it for a week (30 mins 2 times per day). This takes discipline but if I am being crazy even considering ZOOM then maybe I could motivate myself to do it.

2. I drink coffee and tea and over time my teeth are not as white. I like them really white.

3. The receptionists at the dentist office says the trays may not fit as tight anymore after 10 years. Both receptionists at the dentists office had ZOOM and drink tons of coffee and tea and have sparkling white teeth.

What do you think? Is it worth $300 to go in and come out with white teeth or should I just suck it up and do my trays?

Then I had an acquaintance (who has really white teeth) tell me that our same dentist told her to just wear Crest whitestrips!

17 years ago

Anonymous

I have done all 3 of the mentioned whitening tactics. The Crest White Strips are not very effective. The trays from the dentist with the home application is the next best, but the Zoom really whitens your teeth.
I was under the impression that one should use the trays from the dentist at home as a booster in between a Zoom applications every couple of years. Is that the way you understand it?
I had Zoom done last year for $700. They put the light very close to my teeth and within a few mintues I got very scared because I had a reaction to jump away from the burning light. The assistant moved the light a bit further away and then I could tolerate the heat. Keep that in mind if you get scared and feel that the light is too hot.

Nicole

Veteran

I think as long as you have seen the results first hand, then I'd say go for it. A beautiful smile goes a long way.

I've seen some people with weirdly white teeth--almost fluorescent white (if there is such a thing). So long as you've seen the results and like them--then I'd do it!

Laura

(website)

You're right about bleaching - I've heard it's one of the top things a person can do to look younger.

A hygenist in NYC once told me that if bleaching doesn't work for you, you can always wear red lipstick - makes a smile look brighter.

I don't know if that's true (probably it is if it's a blue-red), but I loved the thought.

Debbie

Active Member

Since writing this post I did a little research and found that the people who have used trays AND have also had ZOOM done in the dentist's office, think the trays themselves used at home are just as good as ZOOM.

So now I am motivated to save my $300 and just bleach at home.

It's a pain-in-the-rear, though.

julijuli

I was thinking of getting the trays myself. I drink a ton of coffee and red wine and I really feel like my teeth are getting yucky yellow. So, you have to wear the trays for 30 mins a day? For 2 days a week? Maybe I could handle that. I was thinking about the Zoom but my dentist said that if I still drink coffee/wine the effects will be gone pretty quickly.

Eva

I hear that the trays and Zoom make your teeth more sensitive. I have done the Crest strips in the past. I agree they don't work as well, but several people noticed, so for the price ($30?) it works for me. It lasts about 18 months. I guess it depends on how much you need to lighten your teeth.

tarzy

Oh boy, the eternal dilemma - instant gratification vs. money to spread around on other great stuff.

Sometimes I think if you have the money, getting something NOW is a great morale boost. If it will make you feel good about yourself and motivate you - sometimes we just need that instant makeover.

As long as you won't regret spending the money on one thing (instead of, for instance, new boots, a couple of pairs of pants, a great coat, etc.) and if it will make you feel fantastic - maybe you should go for it. With me, the problem is as soon as I get that one thing I just can't live without - there's something else that I see that I just can't live without. I've had to learn to bargain hunt and delay gratification. It sucks!

Maya

You know, all you really need to do is get an electric toothbrush and use a drugstore whitening system (like Whitestrips) every few months. I drink tea like a maniac but this is the method I use and it seems to work. Much cheaper and convenient than any cosmetic treatment.

Of course, bear in mind that I don't like the look of optic white teeth, so I'm happy having them a little bit off color. I'm with Nicole (as usual)--I do not like my teeth to glow in the dark!

Category