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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to have my teeth whitened

50 replies

karelomen · 24/04/2014 10:14

I can't afford braces but my teeth are also yellowing especially on the canines.
I have spoken to my dentist who says he will make moulds and send me home with whitening gel all of this is £150 I think I might splash out as I'm getting married in the summer and it would make me feel better about the photos.
Has anyone else tried this, AIBU to potentially harm my teeth for the sake of whiteness?
TIA

OP posts:

Latara · 24/04/2014 10:19

I tried the tray method from my dentist (he made moulds like your dentist will) and although it was difficult it was worth it because I ended up with whiter teeth.

You do get more sensitive teeth initially - I used Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste and now they are not sensitive at all.

It is hard to get the 'right' amount of whitening gel in the moulds - not too much or too little - but I should have asked the dentist for more advice, that's what I'd recommend if you struggle with it.

I didn't persevere for the whole 2 weeks but I still ended up with whiter teeth!

I think it's worth it, they've stayed white for a few years despite me being a tea drinker. Maybe post this in style & beauty if you want more advice.

Original poster

karelomen · 24/04/2014 10:38

Thanks so much Latara that's great.

OP posts:

Trillions · 24/04/2014 11:02

Have a look on Groupon - there are often offers on there to get them laser-whitened for less than £100. They just zap them in one go and you don't have to have moulds or anything.

Latara · 24/04/2014 11:05

Be careful with laser-whitening or any kind of tooth whitening that isn't offered by a qualified dentist... lots of beauticians salons offer laser whitening cheaply but personally I'd pay extra and go to the dentist for lots of reasons.

Latara · 24/04/2014 11:09

My dentist offers 3 types of whitening - one session of laser whitening plus moulds for 2 weeks; just one session of laser whitening or just the moulds for 2 weeks.

Next I'm going to save up for and try the laser whitening but it is expensive if you get it done at the dentist.

The thing with the dentist is that because they are dentists they care about your teeth and will get the right consistency of gel and be very accurate.

Can you tell I'm fussy about teeth. I even have dental insurance that I can't really afford....

Original poster

karelomen · 24/04/2014 11:16

Thank you, I will try the trays first it sounds like you had a good result ooh Im looking forward to having this done :)

OP posts:

PartyConfused · 24/04/2014 11:17

I noticed in tesco yesterday that they had a poster up for this for £50.

Spickle · 24/04/2014 13:06

Like Latara, I have had the moulds and gel from the dentist. First did this in 2008 and, although I do drink lots of coffee and tea, my teeth are still a lot whiter than they were. Every so often, I buy the gel to top up but don't use it all the time. I have had to have new moulds done though as I did go on to have braces fitted, changing the shape of my teeth so that the original moulds no longer fit, but in my opinion, was totally worth it. My only regret - should have done it years ago.

BakerStreetSaxRift · 24/04/2014 13:23

Making my place, I'm thinking about this too, it's my canines that I don't like. Although my teeth are a bit sensitive so I'm scared!

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 24/04/2014 13:40

I'm currently sat with trays on as we speak! I'm on day 3, was very nervous about it, as I have sensitive teeth normally, but onl noticed a slight increase so far.

I had the trays made at my dentist, had to chop a bit off the bottom one this morning as my teeth hurt too much yesterday after it- not sensitive, but as if I was wearing a brace on my bottom set, and they were being pushed slightly out of line. One of the canine teeth was slightly too long, meaning that it was very hard hard to get them down to where they were supposed to sit. Chopping a bit of the bottom has made them so much more comfy!

DD has told me they look better already. I'm a tea drinker, but have limited myself to one cup over the past 3 days- major caffeine withdrawals yesterday! I'm also having a filling removed from a front tooth, and having a crown instead, and I was told to whiten then have it done. I absolutely can't wait to have these teeth -->

Spickle · 24/04/2014 14:41

My teeth are sensitive (were sensitive before whitening too), but as long as the gel doesn't overflow the moulds and go on your gums, it should be fine. It it does overflow, just take the moulds out and give your gums a wipe over. However, the cost of the gel is so expensive that you won't overdo it! I still use "sensitive" toothpaste though, such as Sensodyne. I have found much more confidence in smiling - teeth look great in photos and I have had some lovely compliments! As far as I am aware, it doesn't damage your teeth, but I wouldn't use the gel continuously except initially for the two weeks recommended and then top-ups every couple of years.

Melonbreath · 24/04/2014 16:17

Yanbu. 7 Years ago I used poladay gel from the dentist and i had beautiful white teeth until 2 years ago.
I might do it again.

aquashiv · 24/04/2014 16:30

I did it ten years ago and the difference was hardly noticeable. I had shocking sensitive teeth for while.

aquashiv · 24/04/2014 16:30

I did it ten years ago and the difference was hardly noticeable. I had shocking sensitive teeth for while.

Eatriskier · 24/04/2014 16:45

Have you tried anything like Colgate Max One before going down this route? Mine were awful a while back and I contemplated doing this myself, but gave max one a try as I thought I had nothing to lose. I now have lovely white teeth again.

JodieGarberJacob · 24/04/2014 16:50

So how much are we talking about for the laser whitening from the dentist and the gel? I'm desperate, my teeth are an awful colour and I've not heard good things about wowcher offers etc. I want to do something but I need to save up!

Latara · 24/04/2014 17:03

It depends on the dentist but I know at my dentist it's about £500 for combining both the laser whitening and the moulds with the gel.

The moulds and gel alone are about £250 - £300 I think? May be more pricey now. The gel top ups (if you want extra gels) are about £50.

I'm not sure of the price of the laser whitening alone, I want this done at some point but I would personally definitely do it at the dentist.

LaQueenOfTheSpring · 24/04/2014 17:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JodieGarberJacob · 24/04/2014 17:19

Ooh, not as bad as I thought. Thanks

BaileysOnRocks · 24/04/2014 17:25

I get 4 tubes of gel online for £18 (exactly the same as dentists give out) MIL was dental nurse.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 24/04/2014 18:34

My set has cost £260, no laser just gel and moulds. 12 little tubs of gel altogether, and my dentist said each one will last for 2 sessions, so use 7 fot the next 2 weeks, and the rest are for top ups every 6 months or so.

specialsubject · 24/04/2014 18:45

if you must, dentist ONLY in the UK, not beauty therapist or special offers.

it will weaken teeth and most people won't notice the difference.

Gottleogear · 24/04/2014 19:30

I gave up smoking in Jan and decided to treat myself with the money I'd saved

I am using Polanight and paid my Dentist £350 for custom made moulds and 10 x 16% syringes. I have 1 syringe left and my teeth have whitened quite a bit but according to my dentist, as a reformed smoker the colour wasn't too bad to start with!.

Due to some sensitivity I would skip a couple of days and my teeth would return to normal, I would then start the treatment again. So I have been at this 3 weeks...

I started off building the time up and can now tolerate keeping the moulds in overnight.

Was advised to stay off red wine (which I don't drink...thank god, just white wine ) and not to drink black coffee/tea during treatment.

lilypie13 · 24/04/2014 19:34

Hi op, I work in dentistry and I would say go for it.

You will be surprised at how differently you will see the alignment if your teeth once they are whitened you will be happy I'm sure. I have seen many people who has very crooked teeth and they look much better all whitened.

I would stress the important of only having this done at a dentist - I've seen many horrors where someone has let a non dental beautician do this

Good luck

lilypie13 · 24/04/2014 19:37

Btw tooth whitening done using carbamide peroxide of no bigger than 16% with well fitting customised trays made by a dentist will NOT damage your teeth - the stain molecules within a tooth is replaced by water molecules you will get some sensitivity but it's short lived.

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