Teeth whitening £450/500 at dentist - alternatives?

[DFOD]

She makes a mould and then gives you 2-3 tubes of some paste? Doesn’t seem a service in need of such expensive and long training and such a high fee - any other ways of doing this?

Dentist here again. These products that you are talking about such as Cleopatra's powder are activated charcoal. Am I right?
They are very abrasive. They can wear down the enamel and cause a lot of problems if used frequently. Be careful.

Yep charcoal. I'm of the "you get one set of adult teeth" opinion
White glo toothpaste and the brush it comes with shifts any staining for me but I swap back to my electric brush and normal paste after one or two uses
I don't see how the charcoal works apart from rubbing any staining off?

@MARYTT you obviously know best. Fire away.
I'm just trying to be helpful.
Picture warning*

For anyone interested, the first is an image of teeth that have been worn down due to a combination of erosion and abrasion ( a probably acidic drinks and abrasive toothpaste).
The second image is of damaged gums as a result of trusting a non professional to whiten your teeth.

Obviously these are extreme examples, but please think very carefully when you "choose alternative way"

If you're using it every 3-4 days it's not whitening though? It's just removing staining
To actually physically change the colour then it's whitening whether that's zoom or crest strips
Whitening should last

I think toothpaste formulated with it is different, likely to have a really low percentage in and not be abrasive. Like I have a toothpaste which says it has CBD but it's such a low amount it's not even worth being in it
Stick a tiny bit of something that's popular in and put it on the label.. even my hair gel has a CBD version!

Obviously these are extreme examples, but please think very carefully when you "choose alternative way"

Sweet Jesus! Thank you for your informative and informed posts on this thread.

I was particularly interested to read your views on the Zoom whitening, as that's what my dentist offers and it is very pricey and also to my mind scary as I have had sensitive teeth in the past and don't want to revisit those years.

It is lucky that I don't actually like the fashion for blindingly white teeth, but also good to know which methods might be safer for a little brightening...

For those of you that use the crest strips… what are they called? There seems to be at least 5 different packs available :)

Anyone else got any update on Clepoatra’s? I’m a bit dubious about their claims…

The ones I used were called vivid white.

Let me know how it goes!

@milkyaqua Zoom works well, but I've personally stopped using it. The reason being is that most cases require top up trays as well. So I cut out the middle man, free up chair space ( still got massive Covid backlogs) and go for night time whitening using trays.
I think patients have more control that way. They can stop and have a rest for a night or two if their teeth get sensitive.
I occasionally prescribe day time whitening gel as it has a quicker working time.

I use the day zoom only because I sleep with a guard at night for grinding/clenching
Just put it in when I'm watching TV or something

Sounds saucy! …. (sorry couldn’t resist)

This is a great thread! I've just been given some PolaDay 9.5 to use in my Invisaligns as I've just finished treatment. @holdingonfordearlife If I keep drinking tea and red wine will they stain my teeth more while I'm whitening?

do not have it done if you suffer with sensitive teeth.

I tried the Colgate £20 toothpaste - it made enough of a difference - to avoid the £450/500 procedure

Which one is this please?

I've spent a fair amount on "alternatives" and am still seriously considering the dentist. The online methods helps (the strips best, I think) but I haven't had the results I hoped for.

I should have just paid the money in the first place

@DrainedHelp I think it's this one - Colgate Max White Ultimate Catalyst Whitening Toothpaste. It's in boots at the moment for £10 instead of £20.

Thanks also £9.90 on Amazon

I bought a kit on Amazon for about £30. Two flexible moulds, syringes of gel and a UV light thing. I did it for 10 days and it was surprisingly effective.

I love my dentist but I already spend so much on my dental care that I struggled to justify the extra money on an non-essential vanity project.

This is a great thread! I've just been given some PolaDay 9.5 to use in my Invisaligns as I've just finished treatment. @holdingonfordearlife If I keep drinking tea and red wine will they stain my teeth more while I'm whitening?

Yes. Your teeth are more absorbent during the whitening process, so best avoid anything that could potentially stain your teeth during this time