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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think tooth whitening is a good idea?

22 replies

Arnoldthecat · 02/06/2019 13:11

Asking for a friend who is considering it.

They are having the do it at home option with custom trays made at her dental practice.

Have you had this done? Was it worth it? how much did it cost? how long did the effects last and do you bother having it re-done or do you just re-use the trays with shop bought gel?

Thanks for all feedback

OP posts:
HisBetterHalf · 02/06/2019 13:12

It does make a difference but depends on how much the teeth are stained. There is a day version and a night version which is stronger I think

Tessalectus · 02/06/2019 13:25

I had this for my wedding; it made a considerable difference. A two-week overnight treatment at £230, but I can now re-use the trays and buy more gels at £30 from my dentist. Apparently the shop-bought versions are more damaging, similar to shop-bought hair colouring products.

Tessalectus · 02/06/2019 13:27

Oh, and I went back for tratment again about 1.5 years later at much lighter staining (granted, though - I do not drink or eat many staining foods and drinks and have entirely switched to white wine since).

Coffeekisses · 02/06/2019 14:06

Watching with interest. Anyone had laser whitening?

Op I think it is a good idea tbh. My yellow teeth are very ageing on me!

MissSingerbrains · 02/06/2019 14:06

I’ve had this done, it wasn’t cheap but it was worth it and made a noticeable difference. I’d rather have the safety of a qualified dentist.

I buy the gels from the dentist when I feel like I could do with a top-up, every year or two.

Oneweekleft · 02/06/2019 14:11

Yes I've done it. Got the moulds made at the dentists and he gave me the gels to use at home. Had to use it consistently for about a week but really pleased with the results. Could see a difference after just the first session. My canines were particularly darker but the middle four top teeth were ok so once I'd whitened the whole lot of the smile I'd just use the gel on the canines to bring them up to the same colour. I was impressed with the result. My dentist said the ones I had do not effect the enamel at all so don't harm the teeth but they can be sensitive while the treatment is carried out so wise to switch to sensodyne tooth paste. Find a Dentist she's happy with who is happy to ask answer any questions.

Original poster
Arnoldthecat · 02/06/2019 17:04

Thanks all for fab feedback-will pass it on as friend was a bit nervous of it so it will give confidence :)

OP posts:
Bunnybaubles · 02/06/2019 17:17

I had it done through my dentist. Cost £180, they sent the moulds away for me and gave me 4 syringes of weak gel which I was told I had to wear overnight. This made my teeth incredibly sensitive!

My brother sourced all his online. Found a good company, sent his own moulds away and bought strong strength gel. The whole thing cost him around £40. He doesn't get sensitive teeth, because the gel is much stronger he only wears the moulds for a short period. His teeth looked way better than mine did! I wont be doing it through the dentist again, definitely over priced!

Sparklesocks · 02/06/2019 17:36

I had quite yellowy teeth which made me self conscious smiling and in photos, so i got the trays done at my dentist. After using the gel even a few times I noticed a significant difference. Now they’re not Hollywood white or anything but they’re a lot better and I’m a lot more comfortable with them.

PookieDo · 02/06/2019 17:38

I had mine done as it was a lovely gift
I really hated wearing the moulds because I had to do it for 4 hours which really left little time between scoffing down dinner and bed!
I grind my teeth so I couldn’t sleep in them as it ruins the mould

But I really like them it was worth it

SignOnTheWindow · 02/06/2019 17:40

Had this done once. The pain was horrific for about 3 days afterwards. Never again.

TipseyTorvey · 02/06/2019 17:44

Had the trays created for about £400 and then gels. Yes it was worth it, just tidies your smile up in a way brushing never will. I'm all for little things like this that aren't intrusive but make you look and feel so much better.

1CantPickAName · 02/06/2019 17:50

Has anyone got a cap or false tooth? Did it whiten with your real teeth?

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 02/06/2019 18:05

My BF has bad coffee staining around the edges of his teeth, but the middle bits are a good white. Would whitening remove the staining, or does he need a strong hygienist with a Dremel multi-bit?

VictoriaBun · 02/06/2019 18:12

Does not help an iota if you have a condition called tetracycline teeth. It happens if you were given this drug as a baby / toddler before the teeth have come through. It stains your teeth from the inside this no treatment will work. I really feel the drug company should have been sued for this Pissed off I have this.

PookieDo · 02/06/2019 18:31

It is worth seeing a hygienist first as a really good scale and polish can help hugely

Clothes1 · 02/06/2019 19:22

Hi, Bunnybaubles! May I ask where your brother got his trays from. I wondered if you could give me the Internet site so I could have a look. Many thanks...

WattdeEll · 02/06/2019 19:35

I had this done via laser and I think it weakened my teeth. Yes they were whiter but since having it done they have chipped and I always had strong teeth, never had any issues and didn’t even have any fillings. One piece of tooth chipped off just eating an ice cream cone. I wouldn’t have it done again.

longearedbat · 02/06/2019 19:46

I got the trays made to measure at the dentist etc. Cost about £350. Yes, it made a difference, but repeated use (they didn't stay white and needed topping up every couple of weeks) caused the most terrible pain and sensitivity. At first it was just for a few minutes after removing the trays, but it began to last longer and longer, so I would get a shooting type of ice cream pain in every tooth that had been in the gel, and in the end it was almost continuous, so I gave up. I would rather have discoloured teeth than that awful pain. It was a bit like a drill hitting a nerve type of feeling, very unpleasant.

Cokezeroisyummy · 02/06/2019 19:58

I used the trays and gel at night time for my wedding. I got them at the dentist, cost about €150 euro a few years ago. It worked really well, my teeth are still very white now, without any top ups. Definitely use sensodyne, as it makes your teeth very sensitive. Husband also got his done and his are still quite white and he has alot of coffee

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/06/2019 20:18

My eldest two had teeth with uneven mineralisation; patchy stained yellow.

After whitening they have gorgeous teeth, not quite perfectly straight so they just look really natural.

lalafafa · 02/06/2019 20:36

VictoriaBun i successfully had mine lasered 12 years ago on have Tetracycline staining. was given a top up too, ran out a couple of years ago and now need to re visit the dentist as i cant find anything online.

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