Teeth whitening

[AndMatt]

I've made an appointment to talk to the dentist about teeth whitening. The cost is apparently £400. I'm thinking of giving myself a Christmas present . My teeth are basically in good condition (no fillings at 51!) but old and yellow/stained.

-What questions should I be asking?
-Are there different types and are some better (or safer?) than others?
-How does what the dentist gives you differ from DIY kits and is it superior enough to justify the cost?
-Does £400 sound about right?

Thank you!

Not sure about the price OP but I believe for decent teeth whitening you need proper stuff from the dentist.
Maybe have a look at some other dentists to find their prices to compare to yours?

Also,might be worth getting this thread moved to Style and Beauty?

You really don't need to spend that much. The Colgate whitening strips work brilliantly and cost a tenth of that.

So for that price it's likely to be trays and bleach. The trays will be made using impressions and then they will give you two different strength bleach to try. You cannot buy any whitening products which have the ingredients in that they sell you as you have to be a dental practitioner. That's why hairdressers can't do it anymore.
It could possibly be zoom which is the big old light and bleaching trays but I would doubt it would be that cheap. Zoom is pretty much a waste of money IMO as it only works short term, is painful and you have to eat only pale food and drink for so long afterwards. The trays and bleach do all the work after that.
I'd go for getting trays made up, see how you get on, alternate one night of bleach and then one night of sensodyne in the trays if it's too painful.
Good luck

@50ShadesOfCatholic where can I get the Colgate strips from? Have you used them yourself. If so what were they like please

Zoom was about that price for me which was in chair whitening plus trays and tubes of gel to follow up
Get some sensodyne rapid relief, you might not need it but if you do, it'll be 11pm and nowhere to get it
I still have the trays and do top ups, just paid £40 for 3 tubes of zoom

I have decided to get my teeth whitened ..shall wait for replies!

I had Zoom whitening around 3 years ago. It has been well worth the approx £300 I paid. No extra sensitivity and I eat and drink everything.

I had mine whitened at the dentist using the Enlighten system. It was 2 years ago and I can’t remember how much it cost but £400 rings a bell.

I say at the dentist, but a lot of it was at home. The dentist as the trays made and you wear them overnight with the gel for about 2 weeks iirc. Then you have another session at the dentist. You can buy the gel to top up.

The results were absolutely fantastic.

I buy the peroxide gel online and top up once a year. I’ll admit I but the stronger stuff as you only need to do it 2 or 3 times for 30 mins.

I have the trays etc from a previous session. Can anyone recommend where I can buy the top up solution online without having to go through my dentist? (can't get an appointment for love nor money these days).

[quote Sorebum]@50ShadesOfCatholic where can I get the Colgate strips from? Have you used them yourself. If so what were they like please [/quote]
Hi, yes I have had my teeth whitened at the dentist then I have used the Colgate strips and honestly they are brilliantly. I just googled them, bought them from someone in Malaysia 😂 and couldn't be happier. I love how the effect is gradual rather than boom brilliant white.

@MyNameIsAlexDrake

I have the trays etc from a previous session. Can anyone recommend where I can buy the top up solution online without having to go through my dentist? (can't get an appointment for love nor money these days).

Hmm I used to pick them up from a local dentist, I'd have thought most would sell them?

Hmm. So it can actually cause pain?

Are there any risks of harming teeth/gums?

Whatever you get don't leave the gel on for more than a couple of hours at a time!

@AndMatt

Hmm. So it can actually cause pain?

Are there any risks of harming teeth/gums?

It doesn't damage your teeth but yes it can make them sensitive for a bit. I found it mostly with cold and it went away v quickly using the rapid relief toothpaste

This year I have had teeth whitening from the dentist it's boutique whitening system using mouth trays and gel. It cost £300, including making the trays from impressions and several tubes of gel, a couple of follow up appointments to see how I was getting on.

I'm very pleased with the results, teeth are white but not in your face white.

I buy refills from Bleach Refills, according to the custom declaration on the pack, they are from USA and declared as toothpaste. It's around £50 for 8 tubes and you can order different strengths. The tubes are quite difficult to use, they stick and if I squeeze too hard all the gel squirts out. The tubes from the dentist were much better quality and easier to use, but a lot more money.

I don't think you can just rock up at any dentist and buy the trays. They have to see you got a check up every year at least to say that you can have the gel. Or they should.

@HousethatChunkbuilt

I don't think you can just rock up at any dentist and buy the trays. They have to see you got a check up every year at least to say that you can have the gel. Or they should.

Not the trays but you can buy the gel

I've had it done at the dentist. Honestly I do regret it, it has made my teeth so sensitive and painful.