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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dentisit should receomend a whitening treatment as hers are whiter than white

59 replies

hettyGreek · 13/04/2016 14:45

I really want bright white teeth. I know I know. My teeth are all healthy and nothing wrong with them. But they do have some stains at the bottom that a scale and polish does not remove.

My dentist just says point blank she doesn't recommend any teeth whitening.

She obviously uses something her self seeing how white they are.

Its but funny eh?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 13/04/2016 17:23

max dental strength of bleach gel in the UK is 6%, I believe. The kit linked above recommends 22%.

no further comment as it produces MN bleats and screams.

MillyMollyMardy · 13/04/2016 17:41

Hetty yuo have the moulds done by the dentist and they have to "fit" try them in and instruct you in how to use them, but no you don't have to go and see them every nightGrin
It just covers us legally.

TheEmmaDilemma · 13/04/2016 20:07

Eh I've used 30% (not sure they even sell that any longer). But that is why I said I recommended a low % if they were planning on leaving it on longer. When I had mine done originally that is what the dentist used for the first two sittings, but as I said, that was an hour to two.

Hence my 'recommendations'.... Wink

Original poster
hettyGreek · 14/04/2016 10:03

Ah ok I thought that was a bit weird going to see the dentist every night before bed if you wanted to whiten your teeth.

I guess I'm not going to use one of these kits, I like to be natural and already have sensitive teeth.

Is brushing with 3% h2o2 with an eletric toothbrush bad? I've seen that recommended as something natural.

Also oil pulling people say does something?

no further comment as it produces MN bleats and screams.

Totally lost on this!

OP posts:
doubleginplease · 14/04/2016 10:17

I'm also a Dentist and so is my DH and neither of us do tooth whitening anymore. We are private (its cosmetic so its not on the NHS in any event) and it makes sense to give it to our hygienist to do so we can concentrate on bigger treatments. So technically its not a service we offer ourselves either!

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 14/04/2016 10:20

Does whitening damage enamel? I don't have stains but my teeth aren't naturally white. Does whitening just remove stains or literally transform the colour of your natural teeth?

doubleginplease · 14/04/2016 10:37

Try going to see a hygienist if you haven't already. Many people prefer how their teeth look after a really deep clean.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 14/04/2016 10:40

Thanks doublegin

doubleginplease · 14/04/2016 11:00

Yes they can if you don't use them properly and aren't given to you by a dental professional.

Wombat87 · 14/04/2016 11:02

I had a badly stained front tooth where they were over crowded. Before I had braces fitted I went the hygienist who went to town on them. Pay for a private appointment elsewhere and they make a massive difference. My teeth never looked so white. I brush twice daily and ensure i use a whitening toothpaste. The dentist scale and polish doesn't do much - let the woman with the drill and pick have a go! My hygienist was private and it was £90, but was better than my NHS one as she really took her time. I feel NHS ones often go quickly and just do the worst so that they can move you out sooner

Original poster
hettyGreek · 15/04/2016 10:20

Ah I asked them to see a hygienist - they said the hygienist would just do the same as the descale and polish that they have done.

Is is bad to see a hygienist shortly after having a descale and a polish?

OP posts:
cleaty · 15/04/2016 10:27

All whitening treatments can damage teeth. It may jeopardise her licence if she recommends something that damages your teeth. What she does with her own teeth is a different issue.

specialsubject · 15/04/2016 11:54

ooh, you are braver than I am! Suggesting that whitening is bad for teeth produces bleats and screams from MN. It's one of the things you can't say even if it is true...

SquinkiesRule · 15/04/2016 12:16

I used Crest white strips years ago and they do work, they took out the tea/coffee stains and made my teeth look noticeably whiter. Can you even buy them in the UK?

Wombat87 · 15/04/2016 12:19

A hygienist I thought is different. Or all mine have been!!

There's a new Oral B dual paste thing I'm trying. It's a whitening toothpaste, and then you clean your teeth with the second paste to help. So far it does seem to be working. But my teeth are ever so slightly creamy naturally...so without bleach I don't think I'd ever get them white white.

RhiWrites · 15/04/2016 13:04

My private dentist has provided me with a dentist made moguls and whitening treatments to use overnight. It's ouchy though so I don't do it often.

Have you tried chewing whitening gum? I think that does have an effect.

xinchao · 15/04/2016 13:14

I just tried whitening after finishing my Invisalign. The dentist gave me trays with 15% zoom to use at home. OH MY GOODNESS. Agony. I had to discontinue. He told me that whitening is just too painful for some. I was in pain 36 hours later...

MyNameIsAlexDrake · 15/04/2016 20:50

I start my whitening treatment in two weeks. I have an NHS dentist but obviously whitening is private only so it's costing £250 but done via my dentist. The impression for the trays was taken a few days ago and when I go back in two weeks time I'll be given the trays and the solution. I've been told to wear the trays for 2 hours a day, my dentist recommended before bedtime rather than overnight and that it could take up to two weeks to complete the treatment.

I'm a bit nervous now after reading some of the other posts on this thread but will give it a go. My dentist has said if my teeth start to feel sensitive then to put sensodine toothpaste in the trays for 1/2 hour.

I can't wait to have a brighter smile. It's my little reward to myself for giving up smoking and an incentive not to take up the habit again!

andadietcoke · 15/04/2016 20:59

I highly recommend Crest Whitestrips if you know anyone going to the states. I think you can also buy them online here. After 5 treatments I could see w noticeable difference. You get 20 treatments in the box.

Original poster
hettyGreek · 16/04/2016 06:59

Suggesting that whitening is bad for teeth produces bleats and screams from MN. It's one of the things you can't say even if it is true...

Ah i see!

I do worry if these crest white strips aren't legal over here if they are safe!

OP posts:
andadietcoke · 16/04/2016 08:22

I worried too, but they're literally sold in every pharmacy and supermarket in the US. I think it's something to do with the EU's rules on the strength of the bleach allowed.

Original poster
hettyGreek · 16/04/2016 10:07

Are the ones on amazon the same? Lots of strips there.

Ebay do ones but they seem too cheap.

I dont trust any of them as they all say professional, when clearly a diy kit is not!

OP posts:
doubleginplease · 18/04/2016 07:29

Don't use crest whitening strips. Ive seen them burn gums and fingers.

Nothing is going to whiten teeth unless its got peroxide.

A hygienist trip isn't the same as a 'scale and polish'. Your NHS Dentist will generally do them half heartedly if asked but in my experience will generally move on. If are seeing someone private then they will tell you to go and see a Hygienist as generally its cheaper for you to do so as the hourly labour rate is cheaper.

Original poster
hettyGreek · 18/04/2016 17:05

Thanks I wasn't keen on the strips.

Looks like hygienist is the next stop. They did seem to do the scale and polish very quickly.

Im never sure why peroxide is such a bad thing, its h2o2 and lots of people in health circles recommend it in small amounts instead of toothpaste.

OP posts:
whatevva · 18/04/2016 17:14

Peroxide makes me itch.

I have no idea if it would make my gums and teeth itch, but I wouldn't be trying it.