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The Kitchen Table

Teeth Whitening

12 years ago

I am 56 and my teeth do need some whitening but I cannot afford the dentist. Anyone use a whitening kit that they have out now that really works?

I don't know about any of them and some are more expensive than others. Does this mean they work better
or faster or what?

Any idea how much it DOES cost for the dentist to do it?

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Comments (7)

linda_in_iowa
12 years ago
My dental hygenist suggested Crest 3D tooth paste. I can tell a difference.
dedtired
12 years ago
Also the Crest White Strips work pretty well. The best time to use them is right after you've had your teeth cleaned. If you have the trays (I don't think you do) you can buy the bleach on Amazon.It's called Opalescence. You can also buy "do it yourself" bleaching trays to use with the Opalescence, although they aren't as good as the trays that are made for you.
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My hubby (who is generally terrified of the dentist) has done the ZOOM whitening as part of a larger dental process. He had let his dental care slide a bit because of his apprehension and needed quite a bit of work, including some white composite fillings in the front. I helped him find a highly recommended, highly qualified dentist who was understanding and respectful of his anxiety. She recommended the whitening procedure as the first step in his process. He definitely needed it, and it enabled the dentist to "match" the composite material to the natural color of his teeth at their cleanest state. He achieved fantastic results. I do understand that the process can be painful for people with sensitive teeth, but in our experience it certainly doesn't have to be - - his dentist gave him a de-sensitizing gel to use for 20 minutes each day for a week before his treatment. Hubby said if he felt anything he would call it a 'bit of heat', no pain at all. The results for him have been incredible, and he is very pleased and so much more confident with his smile. His dentist has been awesome through the entire process, and has totally changed Hubby's overall opinion of the 'dental experience'. I think that is the key - finding a competent, well trained and highly qualified professional. The cost of the ZOOM procedure was $250. I'm currently wearing braces, but plan to look into whitening as soon as I'm able. I am actually thinking about moving all of my regular dental business to Hub's new dentist, because she's been outstanding.
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I don't think the strips work good at all...I have some and don't use them. I bought bleach from my dentist and had a bleaching tray molded to fit my upper teeth. (Dentist said at the time that my bottom teeth don't really show so I wouldn't have to bleach them.) Anyway I wish I would have had a bottom tray made too. My teeth whitened about 4 shades...They look soooo much better. My daughters are really white. She uses the same thing I do. The bleach come in a syringe. 4 to a package for about 25.00. The expense was in the tray. I rebleach every now and then when I think about it. two or three months apart or more.. My dentist says his wife bleaches hers a couple times a week and she still has her teeth...lol patti
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If you need another method for lightening teeth, here's one I did yesterday.....I zoomed in VERY close to the mouth in question; used the freehand selection tool to select JUST the teeth; promoted that selection to a layer; then played with the hue/saturation/lightness levels to get them looking white but natural; then I deselected, and used the soften tool around the edges. Finally, to redefine the tooth edges I used the push tool set on 1 just to push a bit of the white layer around to reshape the teeth. That step is optional. Another optional step is to adjust the opacity of the tooth layer just a tidbit. Then merge layers, & save.
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marie_ndcal
12 years ago
I had to stop using any whitening toothpaste, as I had a slight itching in my mouth. Asked the dentist, and he said it was an allergy and could damage my enamel. For me would not recommend even professional care.
Terri_PacNW
12 years ago
Colgate Optic White..twice a day helps.
pekemom
12 years ago
Crest White Strips work for me....also their toothpaste or
Optic White.....Listerine whitening mouthwash helps a lot too.
I am 66 and pleased with them all.
terilyn
12 years ago
Love the Crest white strips.
MiMi
12 years ago
The first time I had the dentist make the trays and bought Opalescence from him also. I think it was about 200.00 maybe for the trays and whitener... then I found the Opalescence on Amazon for a fraction of the price the dentist sells it for. Once you whiten them you just use it occasionally to keep them white. It helps with the sensitivity if you don't leave them in for a long time and it's not really necessary, 30-45 minutes Is plenty of time. Opalescence comes in a couple different strengths so if you tend to have sensitive teeth buy the milder strength. Be sure to store the unused whitener in the refrigerator. Perhaps you could get a dentist to just make the trays and not buy the whitener from him, just order it off the internet. also remember, it just takes a drop of the whitener, don't just load the tray up, it would be a waste and could cause gum irritation. I squirt out a small amount on the bottom front part of each tooth in the tray, when you put the tray in the whitener will spread onto the surface of your teeth.

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