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Exercise & Nutrition

Any opinions on teeth whitening?

22 years ago

I am interested in having my teeth whitened. My dentist told me about two methods-the first method requires me to wear trays an hour a night 3-4 times a week. The other is a one time laser light treatment that last for approximately 6-12 months. I was wondering if anyone had an opinion of which method would be better.

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Comments (8)

kathyg7777
22 years ago
I don't have any knowledge of these techniques, but the one time treatment sounds easier! Do you know what the cost comparison is?
blueheron
22 years ago
I had the treatment using the tray and it wasn't cheap - $250.00. It did work, though. However, my daughter just bought the teeth whitening system over the counter and it worked for her. Don't have any experience with the laser method.
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Thanks so much TREKaren and Carina for your replies. I actually found a site yesterday that has to do with rating the various whitening programs and the host of the site asked for any comments so I sent them my letter. Got a very nice reply back that said he'd been doing this for over 2 years and had never had a response like this. After doing further searches for any physical complaints I came up empty handed so guess this was a freak rare situation. She's getting better, but boy what a shock that must have been. Anyway, thanks for your help, and again if anyone else out there has had the same thing happen to them I'd love to hear about it. BarbB
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Rhizo - as others have already mentioned - those little ones are so fortunate to have you as a neighbor. Your little stories always make me smile. How sweet that you want to give a gift to your dental assistant. I can't help you there - I just went to a baby shower and didn't recognize most of the gifts. I almost always give books. There are so many cute little boxed sets that include the book and a stuffed animal. Barnes and Noble has a good selection if you happen to have one nearby. Here's a sampling of the stuffed animals......for some reason I had trouble finding the boxed set that has both the book and toy so. "Good night Moon" http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toys-games-good-night-moon-bunny-bean-bag/23125856?ean=0081787333093 "If you give a mouse a cookie" http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toys-games-doll-if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie/18275249?ean=9781615533701 "Pat the Bunny" http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toys-games-pat-the-bunny-book-and-bunny-gift-set/7082869?ean=9780307163271 "Olivia" http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toys-games-olivia-plush-doll/26310870?ean=9781579822422 Include me among the skeptics concerning the analgesic qualities of the Baltic Amber necklace. I read the link above and if by some chance it was true why would you want to give your baby any chemical - especially when there are so many alternatives.
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Snidely, give it up, will you? It's a pathology with you.....always needing to be right. Even when you aren't. Just leave it! To answer questions: the strips do not whiten crowns, fillings, or other dental work. The bleaching agent is a type of peroxide. I've heard that some people are very sensitive to these treatments.....I wonder why? My gums became a bit tender, but I swished coconut oil in my mouth before bedtime and never a problem after that. Yaya, I think that you're doing it too frequently. The treatments keep working even after you're finished....I probably won't do mine again for another year. But, I'll have to see; with my usual dental hygiene routine is pretty thorough. About why the kits are behind the counter....I asked why when I bought mine. The reason is THEFT! I had a heartbreaking talk with the manager when he brought out all of the options for me to choose from. He said that they cannot keep anything of value out on shelves or it will be stolen rapidly. Items like makeup are so expensive because of theft.
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Ina Plassa_travis
22 years ago
the bleaching systems- ALL of them- are short-term fixes unless you folow them up with having those whiter teeth bonded- which is pricey, but would be worth it if it really mattered that much... but then, if it really mattered, none of us would ever touch another cup of coffee ; )

from what I have seen, the over-the-counter strips work just as well as the slime-in-a-mouthpiece methods, at a tenth the price...

and I'm noticing that my friend (who used to be a dental hygenist, and is now an aesthetician with a string of certificates) won't go near them, sell them, or recommend them to any of her clients...

that tells ME all I need to know.
beautygirl
18 years ago
I used an at home kit after I quit smoking. The results were amazing. I wouldn't smile a lot because my teeth were yellow from smoking. I think it depends on how bad the teeth are discolored. Mine weren't very bad. If they are badly stained, a professional solution may be needed. The kit I used says it's good for lightening the teeth up to ten shades. This is what I use:

Here is a link that might be useful: GoSmile
shaun
18 years ago
I just finished up a box of Crest Strips and they worked very well. A friend of mine even noticed how white my teeth were and she didnt know I had used the strips.

These were twice a day for 30 mins each time. And use for 7 days. It did say results could be seen in 3 days and it was right.

Highly recommended.
sammiefields2517
15 years ago
Well if you're looking for teeth whitening, I ordered a free trial just the other day. I'm yet to try it but it seems quite promising. Here's the link: www.illumi-brite.com

Here is a link that might be useful: www.illumi-brite.com
earthygal52
15 years ago
Most of the Teeth whitening systems use Hydrogen Perioxide. You can buy a bottle of it and use Q-tips to apply it and leave on for about 30 min. Also, brushing with Baking Soda works pretty well. A lot CHEAPER than all this other stuff!!!
vala55
15 years ago
I would like to correct a misconception about stains on teeth at least according to my dentist. I thought my tea drinking had stained my teeth and the dentist's hygienist told me teeth do not stain. When you see a stain it is stains on the tarter build up. When she was finished cleaning the stains were gone. The dentist confirmed this when I questioned him.

The only thing I know about whitening teeth is that reports are coming in about thinning enamel due to whitening. I have seen a few celebs on TV and their teeth are white as snow. It is what your eyes immediately go to instead of the face of the person.

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