Nice Cookies

Well I am just going to put my insecurity out there– I don’t like my teeth! They aren’t gross yellow or anything, but they are definitely not as white as I would like them to be. I don’t want to put too much money towards this, so a professional whitening job is out (and I really don’t think my teeth are THAT bad)…but can anyone recommend a good over-the-counter solution? There are a lot of options out there and I’m not too sure where to start.
Thanks!
You’re not going to get the strength or quality of whitening that you would get from a dentist by using things like whitening strips, or from aesthetic stores such as spas or similar. They are capped at the strength of the solution that can be used for whitening purposes.

Also, you have to be careful with some of these ‘whitening services’ as some of them apply a solution or a light ray that also hits your gums as well, which you don’t want.

Your best bet (and I’m suggesting this because my wife is a dentist, and I’ve been asked by a number of people about whitening trays) is to go to your dentist and have a bleaching tray made. This will be a custom fitted mouth-piece onto which you apply a whitening solution (either a night or a day-time option (the night one is weaker, so can be left on for longer)) that will then target just your teeth.

Cost depends on the dentist, but you’re probably looking at anywhere from $200 to $350. It sounds like a lot, but the results are very good.

That being said - you should consider what colour your teeth are to begin with. In all likelihood you won’t have Hollywood white teeth because you’re not all veneered up, so you may not get that gleaming white smile.

I have a slight gray to my teeth naturally, and the whitening trays have done a lot to make them whiter (or closer to their natural colour) whenever I’ve used the trays. I also see the results from people in her office all the time (staff), so I know it works.

You’d be surprised at how much whitening can enhance your smile.

Sorry if this isn’t the less expensive option.

Oh, one final note. There has been a fair bit of research to show that the MOST effective toothpaste for preventing cavities and ensuring good oral hygiene is a plain jane Crest or Colgate or Sensodyne. Not some fancy "bleaching, anti-tartar, baking soda, blah blah blah" version.

So go basic with your toothpaste. And if you drink a lot of pop, get the Sensodyne Pro-Namel.
Also, many dentists around here accept CareCredit with 0% interest for a year, so you can take a year to pay for getting your teeth done.

I hate my teeth too, most people wouldnt even notice they are off color, but it bugs me when i smile so I looked into this. Everything I have read or been told said not to waste the money on that OTC products and go to a dentist to get it done right.
Thanks for your help! It does make sense to talk it over with my dentist.
And thanks for the information about the toothpaste– I always think the fancy stuff is better. Nice to know that I should just stick to the tried-and-true versions of things.

You’re welcome.

Remember to post before and after whitening pics

lol I took a picture everyday when I tried the Crest Premium strips. I noticed a difference. I did not experience the sensitivity issue like some people do.
I ordered this online, because I live in a foreign country and it did such a good job I have to change the veneer on my tooth to make it match.

I’ve used Crest White Strips multiple times and I’ve always loved the results. I find the 7 or 10day ones work best. The 10 day ones are the same as the 7, but just more strips for a longer lasting white. I have also used a Rembrandt kit that didn’t work…at all.

owned.

I’m going to use my Thera-Breath kit this week

You gots that halitosis?

M, its more of the occasional tonsil stone formulation from allergies so I bought a tonsil stone prevention kit from TheraBreath- which does cause bad breath & bought the whitening kit b/c there’s nothing wrong with trying to get pearly whiteys. If ya’ll locate to the US I’ll go by your family’s practice
also be aware though, if you have a bridge or cap that was color matched to your teeth at the time you had the procedure done, they won’t be whitened with the rest of your teeth.

Very good point.
once a week or every two weeks i brush with baking soda and peroxide. instant results. it’s probably not the best thing to do but that’s why i don’t do it every day.

I read this somewhere recently, maybe in Men’s Health. Was thinking about trying it but was unsure if I wanted to put peroxide in my mouth

It’s just hydrogen and oxygen. It’s not poisonous in small quantities. When it breaks down it just becomes water and extra oxygen.

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