How to whiten ageing teeth

Yes, it is a bleaching agent. It's not the same as Domestos, though, as that would be very dangerous if swallowed, and the instructions on peroxide mouthwash were to swill it round the mouth, gargle if necessary (I could never perfect that art) and spit it out, not to swallow it anyway.

Whitening teeth might not be to your taste, but it is no different from staining lips with lipstick or tinting lashes with mascara. You might not be able to stand other people doing that either, but both are commonplace. Not 'must haves', but a normal part of many people's grooming routine. (not mine, incidentally - I am a 'brush hair and hope for the best' type, but can stand the idea that others are different.

J52 I am just like you - black tea discolours teeth so quickly, but I also use bicarb. It is amazing - I clean my teeth with an electric brush for the specified two minutes, then go over them again with bicarb for about thirty seconds and the paste in the washbasin is stained brown. Years ago people used salt to clean their teeth - probably much the same effect.

Running through the car wash grinning, made me laugh out loud ? ?

I had my teeth whitened by a kit from the dentist. I have very sensitive teeth and couldn't tolerate the peroxide (?) used in the fluid. I now use an ultra-violet gum gadget I got from QVC which you use for 16 minutes, together with some mild, whitening fluid. If I do this a couple of times a week it removes any staining from hot drinks. I accept that my teeth are now a creamy colour and will never be whiter than white because of enamel erosion.

You can remove staining by having whitening treatment but if the problem is, as common with ageing teeth, the enamel is growing thin and the dentin is showing through then whitening won’t help. I won’t use toothpastes that have an abrasive agent like bicarb but some people are lucky to have genetically good strong tooth enamel.

I use teeth whitening strips from any chemist. They work really well for me.

I had a mould made by my dentist some years ago and used the syringes which were quite successful but….my sensitive teeth became much worse and I stopped using it. I’ll give the bicarb a go though.

I have to add that the bicarb is occasional use - not every day by any means. About once every two weeks seems to keep my teeth looking better.

Aveline
I have a wonderful mental picture of that!!

I had my teeth whitened at the dentist too. They made the mouth guard and gave me the syringes of whitening gel. I had to use for thirty minutes every day for two weeks, then occasionally as required. I found an online supplier selling extra syringes, same brand for a fraction of the price. Dentist charged about £200 fifteen years ago. Couldn’t afford it now but find that Colgate Expert White toothpaste is pretty good at maintaining the whiteness. I had no issues with sensitivity.

When I was aged about 12 and about to be bridesmaid at my big sister's wedding, my mother held my head firmly and brushed my teeth with VIM. (a product for cleaning the bath).
I do not recommend. (one forgives but doesn't forget).

Years ago a dentist recommended that I buy peroxide from the chemist and dilute it to use as a mouthwash when I had gingivitis "and as a side-effect it may whiten your teeth a little," he said. As others have said, it was easy to dilute to the correct strength and cost pennies. Can't buy it for love nor money now. I'm trying the Colgate Peroxyl but it's quite weak so not having much effect

Jeanieallergy21

Years ago a dentist recommended that I buy peroxide from the chemist and dilute it to use as a mouthwash when I had gingivitis "and as a side-effect it may whiten your teeth a little," he said. As others have said, it was easy to dilute to the correct strength and cost pennies. Can't buy it for love nor money now. I'm trying the Colgate Peroxyl but it's quite weak so not having much effect

You can buy it from Amazon. We use it to keep our garden fountain clear of Algae.
I haven’t tried it as a mouthwash.

My teeth are much cleaner now I use a water flosser every few days - £25 one from Amazon so not expensive. My gums are also in great condition - dentist and hygenist are very impressed. In terms of toothpaste I bought Lidl whitening toothpaste as I'd run out and I've been quite surprised as how effective it is. Worn enamel, however, can make your teeth look dark and that can't be changed.

I had the mould from the dentist a few years ago now. It caused such sensitivity in my teeth I couldn’t even contemplate doing that again. Whitened my teeth to a degree but didn’t last long.

Gabrielle56

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.

Any suggestions where to buy the gels if not from the dentist?

You can get them on eBay. If you check the reviews and the ingredients they should be safe. I have used them before with no ill effects.

I have found this if anyone is interested in a generic peroxide mouthwash. I have ordered some, as it is the same as the one I used to use (they also do a 9% one). You can gargle with it if you are so inclined, so it's obviously safe, and even with postage it is less than a fiver for two bottles.