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Original poster

Teeth Whitening!

42 replies

WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 30/09/2011 10:27

Hi, I've been wanting to get my teeth whitened for ages and am thinking of treating myself for Christmas and birthday combined.

Does anyone know what are the best methods? Safest etc? Worried about damaging my teeth. Have done Repid White before but not really any effect.

OP posts:
chickenmug · 30/09/2011 10:32

I had the Zoom laser whitening done earlier this year. It cost £195 and my teeth were amazingly white afterwards, although some of the whitness has gone now, I blame the red wine Ribena.

One thing I would say though is that it will hurt. I prepared beforehand by using Sensodyne toothpaste but for 24hrs afterwards I was getting tooth sensitivity and 'zingers' but they soon faded.

DrunkenDaisy · 30/09/2011 11:13

I spent 99 quid on the laser thing and it did absolutely fuck all. Not one person (even my husband) commented. Wouldn't bother again.

mymuchness · 30/09/2011 14:47

I went to my dentist and had the trays made. I get a gel type stuff to put in them called Nitewhite (I think). Cost 320 quid I think (only about 4 months ago). REALLY pleased with results. Didn't get any sensitivity whatsoever and had loads of support and advice from dentist/hygenist beforehand (and free afterwards if required). My teeth weren't particularly yellow but it has certainly made a difference and brings out the white of my eyes too. Heartily recommend it. You can keep the trays forever and just buy the gel which is less than 30 pounds I think. Wish I'd done it years ago.

ggirl · 30/09/2011 14:49

I am going to try the crest 3d whitening strips from the States.
Apparently they're very effective and only £40 online.

Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 15:47

Legal standpoint of UK dentistry here

That I know of there has been one case of a patient with asthma being made permanently worse when she was given illegal tooth bleach by a non-dentally trained person and one case of severe chemical burns.

Anyone who sells whitening gels in the UK(as well as Europe Aus & NZ) that contain over 0.1% hydrogen peroxide (less than this is useless for whitening) is doing so illegally and you may like to question whether the product is genuine or not as well.

Original poster
WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 30/09/2011 16:32

ggirl Do you know why it's so cheap and why it's not available here. Also do you know how it compares to the laser type?

DrunkenDaisy Did they say why it didn't work?

mymuchness It sounds like that one gives you some control but very expensive!

OP posts:
Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 17:26

Laser whitening is a bit of a gimmick, the thought is that it dehydrates the teeth whislt it is being done so the look whiter straight away, of course as soon as you get them wet again it disappears. Home tray whitening using custom made trays is the safest and most predictable way of doing it. Yes it's expensive but as mymuchness said, support from the dentist hygienist, custom made trays etc isn't free.

suebfg · 30/09/2011 17:38

I had laser whitening done several years ago at a reputable company but it cost me a small fortune.

My teeth felt very sensitive afterwards and tbh, I was disappointed by the results. I have recently been using Colgate MaxOne at £3.99 a pop and I think the results are comparable without the increased sensitivity. It won't give you brilliant white teeth but it does clean them up very well and you are supposed to go at least a shade whiter.

DorisVinyard · 30/09/2011 18:54

I used the trays like mymuchness and it was brilliant (literally) went to IMAX a week later (lots of purple light in the dark) and friend said my teeth were glowing in the dark!

mymuchness · 30/09/2011 19:25

I specifically asked about the glowing and was reassured. Can't say this has happened to me. Yes it sounds expensive but when you consider your teeth are there every day and you could spend that on two or three not that nice outfits. I saved up for mine by selling a load of junk hanging around my house so it was 'earnt' and felt worth it. Teeth are v important so don't mess around by doing something rubbish which prob won't be effective or value for money in the long term anyway.

ggirl · 30/09/2011 19:43

WhoseGotMyEyebrows no idea why it's not available here, probs cos the dental industry doesn't want it here..who knows.
have met a few people who have been to the US and bought the crest 3d stuff from a drugstore and are very happy with the results

am sure someone will come along and say ..'don't do it you're teeth will fall out or summat'

Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 19:46

Because it's banned by the EU as it contains more than the limit of hydrogen peroxide and in Europe, this can only be given by a dentist. I thought I said that? There are a number of mass action litigations ongoing in the US against these strips but I don't know why. It is illegal to sell them in Europe.

ggirl · 30/09/2011 20:18

why are the strips deemed too dangerous here
i get that they are illegal because they are too strong

what is dangerous about them?
just by saying they are illegal in EU is not going to deter people when they are readily available in NAmerica

so mass action in US ??
need more info I think

chickenmug · 30/09/2011 20:25

On balance I don't think I would get my teeth laser whitened again. It's great for if you have an event or something but I don't think I could handle the pain. Next time I would def try the tray whitening going by the posts here. I have invisalign retainers and I'm guessing that I could put the gel in them?

Pussinbooties · 30/09/2011 20:32

Oh I bought crest 3d strips off uk amazon last week. Have used four so far and am very pleased has definitely whitened my very stained teeth. Had no idea there was a problem with them!

Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 20:34

The EU have banned them, that's it. I posted a link earlier about it. Trading standards enforce the ban in the UK and all whitening was stopped earlier this year. It's back on now but who knows for how long?

I'm not saying it will deter anyone, just trying to provide the info that folk on here are seeming to ask for. In Europe, it is law that tooth whitening must be done by a dentist. Fact. If you would like to purchase kits from America that may or may not cause permanent damage to your teeth or gums, that is up to you.

I am not saying Crest Strips are damaging, I am simply saying that buying them from an ebay trader may mean that what you receive in the post are not genuine Crest Strips. I wouldn't take that risk with my teeth.

chickenmug bleaching trays are "spaced" so there is a reservoir for the gel, invisalign will fit too closely to your teeth to allow the required amount of bleach to be in contact with them. Do the invisalign retainers contact the gum? Normally there is some overlap with retainers?

Bleaching gel is particularly bad for gums & causes chemical burns, properly constructed bleaching trays do not allow bleach to contact the gums.

ggirl · 30/09/2011 21:01

Grumpystiltskin-as far as I could see your link does not mention home teeth whitening strips , only the illegal practice of non dentists offering whitening as a treatment or bad treatment by dentists,
even the pdf leaflet linked (about teeth whitening) from the site only mentions treatment that you go to someone for not home treatments

I'm not disagreeing with you that they are illegal ..you obviously know what you're talking about.

Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 21:10

OK, it's the concentration of hydrogen peroxide that is the key. Under 0.1% is useless, 0.1% & above is only available from a dentist. TBH the whole legislation is a complete farce but that's the EU. this refers.

So either legally buy useless products or illegally buy possibly effective (but possibly counterfeit) products or go to your dentist.

Whitening booths in shopping centres are totally illegal but continue apace. Completely bonkers but the law.

this is also interesting. It is a very grey area whether dentists are legally allowed to provide products over 0.1% but legislation should be changing this year.

Sorry the previous link wasn't too useful. That's the GDC all over though, all mouth & no trousers!

I'm tighter than two coats of paint and hate to hear of people wasting money on gimmicks.

Original poster
WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 30/09/2011 21:27

So the laser thing doesn't really work, the strips are illegal and possibly dangerous(?) and the tray is good, safe but fucking expensive? Is that right?

OP posts:
Grumpystiltskin · 30/09/2011 21:39

Pretty much I'm afraid. Don't blame me! I know it's bollocks but that's how it is in Europe I'm afraid.

kbaby · 30/09/2011 22:10

I had mine lasered last year. I noticed a difference straight away but did notice over the following week the whiteness wore off and within 2 months you couldn't tell they had been done.. I've also used the crest strips and the are far better and easier

Original poster
WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 01/10/2011 09:01

Grumpystiltskin Yes I DO blame YOU Grin

kbaby It sounds like the lasering just isn't worth it! I'm shocked, I had thought it was the best way! Where did you get your strips from? Are there legal versions that are less strong, or are illegal one's from the US the only option?

OP posts:
OriginalPoster · 01/10/2011 09:10

I put whitening toothpaste (whatever's on offer) on teeth with my finger, and keep it on while I'm washing hair, then brush with electric toothbrush. My dentist gave me '10 out of 10' last week and I've not been to the hygienist for at least 6 years.

Whiter than white Grin

Original poster
WhoseGotMyEyebrows · 01/10/2011 09:13

OriginalPoster Really? My teeth are actually very clean, I think it's just that I have very pale skin so in comparison my teeth look a bit creamy coloured. They are not stained or anything, just don't look very bright.

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDog · 01/10/2011 09:13

I had mine done at the dentist - laser then trays. Got a really good result which I top up once a year. That was 7 years ago. It was £500 but only about £350 now.

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