Getting stains removed from teeth

[Custardslice3]

So I appreciate that I'm really fortunate to have managed to find an NHS dentist - I've not been for about 6 years as I've been caring for my son and looking after me just hasn't been a priority. Anyway, I visited yesterday for a routine check and was disappointed to learn that I need a filling (first one so I've no idea what to expect when I go back tomorrow and am quite anxious about it). But the main reason I got my act together on going was because my teeth are quite stained (from tea drinking I think) and I was hoping to get them cleaned a bit. The dentist didn't do any sort of cleaning in the appointment - I thought he would at least do something to remove any build up of plaque etc? - but did say I could book with the hygienist. I find the experience of going to the dentist difficult anyway (though I don't think that shows, so they wouldn't be aware I'm anxious) but it wasn't helped by the fact the dentist didn't look at me when he was talking so I was never sure whether he was talking to me or the nurse, and he said things in quite a clipped way so I felt like I looked stupid if I asked him to clarify what he meant. There was definitely an assumption that I would just be able to afford whatever treatment they were saying I should have, which I sort of can, but with limited income as a carer I do need to figure out what I can justify spending on this.

Sorry this is a bit rambly! I have booked in to have the filling done as I presume that is pretty essential to be taken care of. But then at reception they were talking about an airflow treatment to remove staining (£100), or just a regular appointment with the hygienist (£60)(which it turns out will actually just be the same dentist wearing a different hat) and I felt so overwhelmed by being expected to make a decision on the spot without really any explanation of what was the best thing, and what would work best on the type of staining, so I didn't book in for either. But now I feel really flat about the whole thing because I'm going back tomorrow for a filling which I'm not very happy about because I don't know what to expect, and by the end of the week I'll still have stained teeth 😫

I don't really know why I'm posting! I guess to ask for any opinions on whether paying more for the airflow is worth it? Or should I just suck it up and accept my teeth are a bit stained and save my money? I don't spend a lot of time or money on looks, never have, so it feels a bit vain to be worrying about it. But my son does notice my teeth and comment on them so I think it might give me a bit of a lift to know they look better.

Most people use moulds with a bleach preparation from the dentist. You wear them overnight and they lighten the teeth gradually usually over about a ten day period.

Others use bleaching strips but I think these have to be purchased from abroad as dentists don't usually offer them.

dentistry on the nhs is very basic I’ve found these days, although I feel lucky that I have one. I’ve been going to the same dentist for 19 years but his recent treatment / care has been appalling.

My teeth were horribly stained (a dozen coffees a day!). The whitening strips didn’t work at all really due to, I guess, it being build up that was stained.

I paid, at a private practice, for a scale and polish with the hygienist. I will say it was brutal but my teeth were so different afterwards and the daily flossing I’m now doing is helping keeping any buildup away for now. I think it was £65.

@PennySittingPretty can I ask please, which whitening strips you used & where you purchased them?

I've used Crest Whitening strips I purchased from Amazon US and they worked.

Unfortunately even if you're at an NHS dentists's practice, the hygienist will still be on a private basis. However, if your staining is bad - and it must be, as it's what drove you to see the dentist in the first place! - then it's definitely worth making an appointment with them.

Fillings these days are usually straightforward and (should be) relatively pain-free. If it's likely to be a more complicated/painful one, they will - should - offer you pain relief though.

Worrying about your teeth isn't vanity though. (Unless you're after a smile like Rylan's!), so I'd definitely go for it.

Good luck!

Sorry - didn't answer your question! I don't know anything about airflow, so on that basis, plus the cost, I'd say try the hygienist route first. But clarify with them that they will be able to remove the staining.

White glo toothpaste, use the brush that comes with it then swap back to your usual
I only use it to remove staining and it works

OP since you haven't been to the dentist for so many years I'd suggest that you go ahead and do the hygienist appointment and then pay a private dentist's to get you sorted out with a whiting kit (mould + bleach). It will make a world of difference and is way more effective than disposable whitening strips. Plus, you keep the mould and can re-use it in future if you ever need a top up.

I was going to start a thread on this as I have really bad stains. When I asked my dentist how to deal with them, he was clueless. I've found a private place in Liverpool that does stain removal, so I'm going to look at that.

I discovered that the dentist will do a scale and polish on the NHS as a level 2 treatment, as it works out cheaper than the hygienist.

Ask for a scale and polish with your treatment (your filling) and they should do it.

I have a little trick in between visits to the hygienist. I'm a tea drinker and smoker, so my teeth do get slightly discoloured from time to time. I use a small piece of Magic Sponge and gently rub the offending stain! Yes it's squeaky, but it works! My dentist knows no different when I go and I've been using this trick for years! He just mentions the bits (I can't get to!) that need the hygienist to deal with! Ta da! I wouldn't use this method instead of going to the dental hygienist, but it's good for in between visits.

No they don't bother with any of that now. They used to do it as a matter of routine. Now it's a case of "see the hygienist" Kurching!

You're lucky it's still NHS. Don't be surprised if that turns private.

On the NHS treatment is for treatment of disease only. Removal of staining will not be done on the NHS.

Crest whitening strips are illegal in the U.K. , it is illegal to sell them and any company doing so is knowingly breaking the law . Hence a very large proportion are either past use by date or counterfeit.

Any whitening toothpaste does not whiten , it will either be acid or abrasive so can easily damage enamel .

Airflow is a really effective way of getting rid of staining and leaving your teeth feeling really smooth. Used, in combination , with other cleaning instruments it gives a really good result but be sure to ask hygienist to show you how to clean effectively to stop staining building up again.

This. You need to request it when you book your next apt.

😆😆😆😁

The NHS won't provide a decent cleaning service.
You need to book in with a hygienist. I'd pay for the airflow teeth polishing and then just a regular hygienist every 4 months going forward.
I also have a retainer and whiten my teeth every time they start to appear stained or look dull!

@2024please I bought them off etsy as they aren’t distributed in the U.K due to the strength of the peroxide. I bought them after watching a British dr on TikTok, who now lives abroad, saying it’s what he uses. He has lovely white teeth.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1644084875/crest-3d-luxe-professional-effects?click_key=a455c32c4bec33dc8f63eebb1ad434fd66446f35%3A1644084875&click_sum=026c2646&ref=shop_home_active_3&pro=1&frs=1

If you will take advice from someone who has had extensive dental treatment including implants. The one thing I advise everyone is have hygienist appointments they really help to keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy. A deep clean is really worth it but need to be kept up, not once every few years.

My personal experience is that had I done that I would not have needed all the work that I ended up having.

By doing this you are buying a product which is not legal to sell in the U.K., EU and many other countries because of health concerns.
The sellers know it is illegal , so how confident are you to put something inside your body that has been sold to you by someone knowingly breaking the law? What guarantee do you have that it is even what it says it is?
Have a read https://press.which.co.uk/whichpressreleases/illegal-teeth-whitening-products-widely-available-on-online-marketplaces-which-warns/

No you cannot request a clean on the NHs to remove staining L NHS treatment is there to secure dental health only.
Cosmetic stain removal is only available privately . https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/what-dental-services-are-available-on-the-nhs/

Wow, I popped out to run a few errands and came back to find so many replies! Thank you all for your advice and reassurance. @BIWI I don't think it's going to be a big filling (I wasn't aware of anything wrong with the tooth, so don't think it can be too horrendous?!) so hopefully it won't be painful. Thank you for your kind words!

I do understand that the NHS service doesn't include cosmetic treatments, but I guess I had expected some cleaning to remove plaque build up etc would be part of it. Things have really changed in the last 10 years, and I know I am fortunate at least to be able to get the check up and filling done as an NHS patient. I think I will go to the appointment tomorrow and get the filling sorted, then after half term I will look into sorting out the staining. I find the staff at my son's dentist much more approachable (unfortunately not taking adult NHS patients) so I might speak to them when I take him in and see if I can book an appointment with the hygienist there instead.

Thanks all!

@Lollygaggle I’m aware it’s not legal to sell in the U.K. I took my chances because I had lost so much confidence in my smile. They were low cost, it would cost more to produce fake strips and fancy packaging than they’d make.
As it happens, you can buy them from American sites such as iherb. You just have to take your chances with customs.

Actually trading standards have had a lot of success in prosecuting traders with counterfeit strips , one recently was contaminated with mouse droppings.
This case,although old demonstrates the reason for the prosecutions, some people were left having to take morphine because of the pain for the illegal strips https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2016/teeth-whitening-prosecution-success/

crest strips are widely counterfeited , look at reviews for this bunch of importers https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/crestwhitestrips.co.uk

An airflow polishing appointment with a properly qualified dental professional in an inspected and quality checked environment will cost £60 to £90 in most places. That is the cost of a couple of boxes of illegal strips .

Actually trading standards have had a lot of success in prosecuting traders with counterfeit strips , one recently was contaminated with mouse droppings.
This case,although old demonstrates the reason for the prosecutions, some people were left having to take morphine because of the pain for the illegal strips https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2016/teeth-whitening-prosecution-success/

crest strips are widely counterfeited , look at reviews for this bunch of importers https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/crestwhitestrips.co.uk

An airflow polishing appointment with a properly qualified dental professional in an inspected and quality checked environment will cost £60 to £90 in most places. That is the cost of a couple of boxes of illegal strips .