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Style & beauty

How to whiten ageing teeth

(69 Posts)
Lynndy Wed 17-Aug-22 12:22:33

Of all the signs of age when I look in the mirror it’s my teeth that I notice first! Is it possible to improve the colour of teeth when one is 73? Any suggestions from personal experience gratefully accepted.

BStP Fri 19-Aug-22 12:26:26

Let us know if it works

Yammy Fri 19-Aug-22 12:18:34

If you do use a dentist he might warn you about lipstick. I had mine done and my dentist told me not to use lipstick while whitening it stains your teeth.
Sadly I am now back to the usual colour.

SparklyGrandma Fri 19-Aug-22 11:55:35

I use Repair and Protect toothpaste, a bit expensive at £4.50 - £5 a tube, but the effects are very good, with enamel being topped up onto the teeth.

Nannapat1 Fri 19-Aug-22 11:46:51

You can have your teeth whitened by the dentist but sensitivity can be a big issue for some. Only 'real' teeth will be affected, so take care not to have those bleached whiter than any porcelain that you might have in your mouth!

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Gabrielle56 Fri 19-Aug-22 11:34:16

NanKate

There is a difference between the dentist whitening your teeth and having a dentist make a mould which you use each time yourself to whiten your teeth. It’s not cheap but it is the best thing I have done. People often compliment me on my teeth.

I had the mould made about 10 years ago for about £300 and twice a year I buy whitening syringes from the dentist. 3 in a box cost £60. I prefer the whitener that you put in for one and a half hours maybe a couple of times a month.

SNAP!! I did exactly the same thing! In 2008 had dentist whitening treatment cost same as you but so-so results but the exact mould of my teeth is brilliant and I too send off for whitening gel syringes from top reputable dentistry company and maybe 1-2times year usually around Christmas and my birthday in may I too up with 4 gels over a couple weeks and my teeth look great! Dentist gels go so expensive they really were ripoff and exactly same gels 4 for £50 ish is affordable.

Forlornhope Fri 19-Aug-22 11:31:59

‘They work’ would do it for me where teeth are concerned. Rejoice in having your own teeth and they don’t cause you bother.

Pearl30 Fri 19-Aug-22 11:19:51

I watched 10 years younger in 10 days last night and there was a section on teeth whitening (at least I think it was on that programme). I seem to think that using bicarbonate o soda was not recommended as it destroys the top layers of the tooth. Would suggest watching it to check before using, or continuing to use the bicarbonate.

Lynndy Thu 18-Aug-22 15:47:39

Thanks for your replies everyone. Lots of ideas there! I have a mould from years ago, might dig that out.

Scotsmum Thu 18-Aug-22 11:16:48

Interesting thread.

I remember as a child my mother giving me lemon juice, salt and bicarb - eek!

Costco sell kits for tooth whitening (Smile brand?), but having checked the reviews discovered that the ingredients do your teeth no favours, so stayed clear.

Following over a year of dental work - implants, replacing split fillings etc - I have recently invested in having moulds made by my dentist, and was given 4 syringes of 16% Carbamide Peroxide gel (there are weaker formulations especially for those with sensitive teeth).

The brand is White Dental Beauty, Novon enhanced formula (whatever that means).
Instructions were to floss and clean teeth then apply the gel in amounts no bigger than a grain of rice at the bottom of the mould.
Any more than this will spill over onto gums and sting, so a cotton bud is needed to clean up. I quickly learned that less is better; plus you can just target the teeth that need most attention.

Wear for at least 2 hrs. I tend to pop the moulds in last thing at night then on waking, I clean my teeth and the moulds, job done for a month. I used it for two weeks initially and was amazed at the control it offered - I did not end up with artificially white teeth, but just fresher and cleaner.
Easy peasy!

It did a super job of lifting the tea stains ( I drink Matcha and green tea) and although it wasn't supposed to, cleaned up the veneers too.

I do have sensitive teeth but was advised to keep using the one recommended for me by the dentist, Biomin - which has been a game changer. It is so effective I would never go back to anything else.

Mom3 Thu 18-Aug-22 06:33:27

I like the comment about "using stealth" when your husband doesn't want you to do things to improve your appearance. That made me chuckle. I have the whitening trays I got from a former dentist years ago and gel I ordered online. It helps some but made one tooth look a little mottled so I don't know if it's a good idea, but may use it again tomorrow for a shorter time.

lemsip Wed 17-Aug-22 22:23:03

Doodledog

There is no peroxide in it (unless I am misunderstanding the ingredients list) and it is £5.30 a bottle. The generic stuff was about 30p.

I rest my case grin.

It states on the front of the bottle.

Hydrogen Peroxide so of course it does.

M0nica Wed 17-Aug-22 21:58:13

MineI think your friend has paid far too much for her composite bonding. You do not need to get all your teeth done, just those that are visible.

The enamel had worn off four of my lower front teeth, so my dentist recommended that these be done. It cost about £200. She said that it was not necessary to do them all, because the problem mainly arose with visible front teeth.

NanKate Wed 17-Aug-22 20:07:30

Absolutely Maddyone. ? No sensitivity at all with this procedure for me either.

I have an implant which has been very successful I was about to have a second when COVID arrived and the dentist says he can’t do it now, but it’s at the back.

maddyone Wed 17-Aug-22 20:00:38

NanKate

There is a difference between the dentist whitening your teeth and having a dentist make a mould which you use each time yourself to whiten your teeth. It’s not cheap but it is the best thing I have done. People often compliment me on my teeth.

I had the mould made about 10 years ago for about £300 and twice a year I buy whitening syringes from the dentist. 3 in a box cost £60. I prefer the whitener that you put in for one and a half hours maybe a couple of times a month.

Yes, I have this too. It doesn’t cause any sensitivity and I already had sensitive teeth. It’s one of the best things I’ve done, apart from my implants (2.) You decide when your teeth are white enough and then only need to top up every couple of weeks.

grannyrebel7 Wed 17-Aug-22 19:07:34

I had mine done with a laser in a special clinic. Cost about £300 ten years ago. They were great at the time, but if you don't stick to using a straw when drinking they just get stained again. In fact I think my teeth are worse now than when I had it done. Wouldn't do it again but I might try the bicarb idea.

Farzanah Wed 17-Aug-22 18:58:13

My dentist warned against bicarb toothpaste as it can erode the enamel.

MerylStreep Wed 17-Aug-22 18:40:11

Aveline
I’ve had that done. It was amazing.
Now I have the gum thing from my dentist.

Doodledog Wed 17-Aug-22 18:35:27

There is no peroxide in it (unless I am misunderstanding the ingredients list) and it is £5.30 a bottle. The generic stuff was about 30p.

I rest my case grin.

lemsip Wed 17-Aug-22 18:32:22

Colgate do Peroxyl Mouthwash, available in Boots.

Doodledog Wed 17-Aug-22 18:29:55

You used to be able to buy peroxide mouthwash in Boots. It was subtle but effective, and cost pennies. It wasn't neat peroxide - something like 2%.

I tried to get some a few years ago and the assistant looked at me as though I'd asked for leeches. I think it went the way of kaolin and morphine and other generic cures, ie withdrawn in favour of much more expensive treatments.

Aveline Wed 17-Aug-22 18:26:44

Sorry. Lowering the tone.blush

Aveline Wed 17-Aug-22 18:26:05

Ooh jet washed! Maybe I'll try running grinning through the car wash grin

travelsafar Wed 17-Aug-22 18:16:23

I have my teeth jetwashed every six months. It uses bi carb at high speed and removes all stains at back of teeth and inbetween. Teeth feel great after, smooth and shiny and definitely look whiter. Cost 150 a time but its worth it. Dentist does a scale and polish as well. That can be a bit uncomfortable if you have sensitive teeth.

Grandmamaoftwo Wed 17-Aug-22 17:46:59

I’ve just ordered Non-Abrasive Teeth Whitening Powder online from a company called MySweetSmile. It wasn’t expensive and the reviews were good. It’s arriving tomorrow….so we’ll see if it works!