Teeth whitening

Nannylovesshopping

I have the lightening moulds and use couple of times a year, not in your face white, but enough for me, I also have the coffee/red wine habit and it just keep the stains at bay…

Mine were recommended by the dentist, not cheap!
I haven't done it for ages because I found it very unpleasant to use but might try again.

Wouldn't have it even if free. How do you know if the enamel on your teeth will accept the chemicals involved in whitening. Not ony that the edges (gumline) on our teeth are more susceptible to becoming sensitive hence the popularity of toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Yes, those we see with very white and looking too large teeth have veneers are even worse. Our skin changes, our hair changes so why not accept our teeth changing.

My teeth could do with what you mentioned.
The last time I had a check up I was asked,
‘How often do you clean your teeth!’

Nearly all dentists - even NHS - are on the look out for income streams and this is one of many. Imagine your GP examining you and suggesting a non essential cosmetic treatment for hundreds of pounds. Back in the 70s a Canadian dentist filled my healthy (in fact perfect) teeth with fillings- "just to be on the safe side - as a protective measure". I trusted him because he was a dentist; not some quack on a street corner. He had no qualms about doing this to perfectly healthy teeth and making a lot of money in the process. It was done in the UK too later. I go to the dentist every 18 months and a good hygienist every four months. I definitely wouldn't advise veneers - I know people whose teeth have been ruined in the process. I'm tempted to try those strips but in the meantime I find the Pearl Drops Enamel Protection pretty good when used daily. Don't forget to floss or use interdental brushes -so many people don't and that's how you get decay. Also don't use Corsodyl toothpaste for gums! It stains your teeth - dentists know this but many sell it in their surgeries. In the end it's up to you how you choose to whiten your teeth - I just want to remind people that dentists sell these products to make money.

Also don't use Corsodyl toothpaste for gums!
The mouthwash blackens your teeth too!

I did have many unnecessary fillings by an NHS dentist when I was about 20 but believed what he told me.

My dentist now is very good and I don't think she would have sold the whitening treatment if she wasn't sure t was safe. She says she uses it herself.
Yes, it might make your teeth sensitive but that is temporary.

I'm not sure about over-the-counter whitening systems.

My hygienest said to never go whiter than the white of your eyes.
I'm thinking of doing the same but would be very cautious

When my first grandson was born 14 years ago I had a picture taken with him in my arms. I was horrified to see me grinning with yellow teeth. 🦷

I had moulds made for my teeth by the dentist and twice a year buy Boutique whitener. The results are good and it was worth the money. My 51 year old son, who often has to appear in front of an audience has had his done too and he is also very pleased.

Grannyshouse

Sago

I had mine whitened but as Casdon said it is very subtle.
I had trays made and then was prescribed the whitening, it was a system called boutique.

It wasn’t too badly priced, I now just buy the solution online as I have the custom trays.
I top up every few months.

Hi Sago. I’ve got the trays but have since moved dentist. How do you buy the boutique solution online. I’ve used it in the past x

Boutique is only available via your dentist, a similar product can be bought via a company called happy smile.

Alison333

Slightly off topic but, my dentist said that in older people, sometimes, the enamel wears off the tooth and the yellow that can then be seen is the dentine inside the tooth. It doesn't seem fair that years of regular brushing can actually cause yellowing!

I think that must be why some people go for veneers or bonding. I'd love to have all my teeth bonded or veneered but it can be very pricey!

Alison333 (apologies if I haven’t use the ‘quote’ thing correctly. I’m not sure how it’s done).
I just wanted to say I was told this by my dentist and that’s why using whitening solutions can cause greater sensitivity.
I also chose to use the boutique whitener solution but on the advice of my dentist didn’t overdo it. It brought about reasonable results, but I don’t bother now as I do suffer sensitivity pain at times.

The dentist told me because I am a natural blonde, I am not suitable for tooth whitening! Who knows?

I am 72 and had this done 2 years ago. I used the moulded n mouth guard and overnight bleach. I top up every few months. Very happy with the results which my family say makes me look younger. Might be because I am happier to smile a toothy smile now. You will nor regret it.

It might be worth mentioning that I’ve found Arm and Hammer toothpaste, which is formulated with baking soda (and is UK made) to be good at removing stains, so I use that now to reduce the frequency of needing tooth whitening top ups. They do a sensitive version too.

I use Colgate charcoal toothpaste. It definitely helps to whiten teeth. I agree that super-white look like dentures.

I had moulds made by my dentist 20 years ago when I was 50. I used a solution which lightened my teeth and I was really happy with the result. Then I let it lapse when we moved home and the new NHS dentist couldn’t prescribe the solution using moulds not taken by them. New cost would be £700 all told. I didn’t bother. I have all my own teeth, the solution I used (not Boutique, a ‘Polar’ something or other) was a gel that didn’t sting or make my gums sensitive. Every now and then I wonder if I should look into doing it again but then #lazygran and life in general takes over.

My dentist told me years ago that my teeth were yellow because of a medication I had as a child. I think it was some antibiotic. My teeth have always been discoloured and I hate it!😢

hazelw

My dentist told me years ago that my teeth were yellow because of a medication I had as a child. I think it was some antibiotic. My teeth have always been discoloured and I hate it!😢

Yes, I think it was tetracycline which caused problems when teeth were developing in children.

I did have it done some years ago, but it does not last. I use a whitening toothpaste from Oral B, which does work somewhat. Although at 73, by enamel is rather thin, so not 100% effective

Lyndie

I use teeth whitening strips from Superdrug once a month which keep my teeth naturally white.

What brand?

Unless they are very discoloured I would stay away, enamel wears thin as we age.

My teeth are a bit brown. I used to smoke ( gave up over 30 years ago, still miss them) and I like coffee and red wine.

I asked my dentist about teeth whitening and was told all the old fillings would have to come out first. As I am scared stiff of the dentist and have had to fight to keep my " heavily conserved" choppers in my mouth, I decided against it.

Some people look really daft with ultra white teeth. There is a happy, more normal looking way to do it. Wish I could do it !!

My teeth were badly stained when I used Corsydel mouth wash twice daily, recommended by my useless dentist. I too had all my teeth filled with mercury fillings as a child, I'm sure it was not needed. My poor mum had all her teeth pulled out and dentures fitted just after giving birth to me at 32yrs. Her dentist said she had little calcium in her teeth [normal after pregnancy]. No doubt her dentist got a good holiday out of that! So, I do not have faith in dentist.

I would like to try that boutique whitening, I'll look on-line for it.

After reading all of your posts I looked up the internet where it was suggested that using bakeing powder might work. I tried it.
It worked first time! Cleaned the coffee,red wine and tobacco stains like magic. I could hardly believe it.And it saved me £70
fee at my dentist surgery.

Well done misb

I googled too and it said baking powder & hydrogen peroxide 3', so I'll give that a go.

If I had enough money to spend on having my teeth whitened I'd spend it on a nice holiday instead.