Whitening Teeth?

[Ruvane]

I had terrible oral hygiene as a kid. Never flossed, brushed inconsistently, all that jazz. A couple years ago I had a moment of realization, and now I brush twice a day (with sonicare), floss, and Listerine.

However, I still have yellow stains left over. They never seem to go away. Anyone with a similar problem find a solution? I'd like to get them bleached, but my dentist said to wait a few years, I think because of my recent orthodontia and braces.

I was recommended the Crest Whitening Strips. Anyone try those?

 

[Emmett]

Yes, and they worked well for me. I had stains from drinking tea all the time.

 

[jsrdrnr]

They will work well, just remember that anything you do will eat through the enamel of your teeth. That is why your dentist wants you to wait more than likely. Your teeth are still tender from all the stuff you just had done. I would recommend going slow with it. Yes, they do work though.

 

[Minxy]

I use baking soda, it works really good. I use straight up baking soda though, I don't use the tooth paste that has baking soda in it. It doesn't taste the greatest, but it is very affective. Just something you could do if you wanted to take it slow. I don't know any thing about bleaching your teeth, and I don't know very much about whitening stripes.

 

[chainfire]

I use baking soda, it works really good. I use straight up baking soda though, I don't use the tooth paste that has baking soda in it. It doesn't taste the greatest, but it is very affective. Just something you could do if you wanted to take it slow. I don't know any thing about bleaching your teeth, and I don't know very much about whitening stripes.

Baking Soda and hydrogen peroxide is what I use...definitely cheap to try and I believe about as effective.

 

[bluefoxicy]

some might say rinse twice a day with hydrogen peroxide, it works. This is how hair gets bleached.

I use Arm and Hammer whitening toothpaste. It doesn't do a phenomenal job of giving me perfect white sparkly teeth; but it uses sodium peroxide percarbonate as its whitening ingredient -- oxiclean. This stuff breaks down into sodium carbonate (washing soda) and hydrogen peroxide. The important part of this is really the sodium carbonate: it's a high-pH, strongly reactive base, which will de-acidify your mouth and prevent tooth decay.

Yeah, you could use a super flashy whitening toothpaste (that also won't do a good job), or bleach your teeth with Crest White Strips or something. Baking soda and peroxide toothpastes, however, actually do keep your teeth in sane shape instead of attacking them with aggressive bleaching agents. And nasty acids will stain your teeth, so it does help a bit.

 

[David in Boston]

I use baking soda, it works really good. I use straight up baking soda though, I don't use the tooth paste that has baking soda in it. It doesn't taste the greatest, but it is very affective. Just something you could do if you wanted to take it slow. I don't know any thing about bleaching your teeth, and I don't know very much about whitening stripes.

+1

A dental tech told me about simple baking soda.

Helps with my straight tea, coffee and cigar stains.

 

[Stubblefield]

some might say rinse twice a day with hydrogen peroxide, it works. This is how hair gets bleached.

Save it for hair, then. This is actually a very bad method for whitening teeth, probably the worst method, as the peroxide kills all the beneficial bacteria that live in your mouth, esp below the gumline. I have spoken to a few dentists and dental techs about it, they all recommend against. In fact, none of them recommend putting peroxide in your mouth, EVER.

Sorry if I'm being a jerk here, but this is just not a great idea.

I'll add another post about whitening later, as I have had both the in-office and home treatment.

 

[ogopogo]

+1

A dental tech told me about simple baking soda.

Helps with my straight tea, coffee and cigar stains.

How are you suppose to use it, like a toothpaste?

I have very healthy teeth and gums. I've never had any problems, not even one single cavity. But I've been a coffee and wine drinker since a teenager, and it has starting to show. I don't really want to try any of strips or expensive treatments, but I do want to do something.... this sounds like something I'd like to try.

 

[David in Boston]

She told me wet the electric toothbrush with baking soda and brush.

Not everyday mine you.

 

[aodenkou]

<snip>I'd like to get them bleached, but my dentist said to wait a few years <snip>

My wife is a dentist, I would suggest that you follow the recommendation of your dentist. I am sure they have a reason why you should wait a bit. You might want to ask why you could not get the bleaching done now. I am going to guess that it might make your teeth more sensitive.

 

[SiBurning]

Agree that you shouldn't use any bleaching or oxygen type things. Two things have helped me. One is to switch between a regular brush and one of those so-called ultrasonic brushes, and doing some extra passes on the front teeth. The second is to do the extra passes on the front teeth using a more abrasive toothpaste. Ultra-Brite is about the worst offender, but I find regular Crest does an acceptable job. Otherwise, I use a gentler gel. You might want to ask your dentist if this is a good idea.

 

[Will P.C.]

Im 25 and just went to the dentist yesterday. I guess just from wear and tear, coffee, used to dip, my teeth are slightly stained. I have always maintained supreme oral hygiene.

My dentist was pretty convinced that just about the only thing that does dramastic things is bleaching which starts at 225. He has said people have told him they have had good results with Crest Strips.