Advice on Teeth Whitening Discussion Thread

MrsJ2008

Dear All,

My addiction to coffee and tea is playing havic with my pearly whites and I want to do some home bleaching as i've got staining on my teeth.

Does anyone have any recommendations or kits to avoid?

Thanks for reading

crazyguy

I used them once, here was the outcome,

Nile

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

brook2jack

It is illegal to sell whitening kits which will actually work. You run the risk of permanently damaging teeth and gums.

If you just have staining book a hygienists appointment at your dentists, it will probably cost about the same, will be effective and more importantly safe.

StevieJ

brook2jack wrote: »

Fluoride does nothing to gums good or bad and neither does any toothpaste "natural" or "artificial". The only thing that gives you healthy gums and no tartar is physically removing the plaque. You have pink healthy gums because you are now brushing well, not because of any toothpaste.

Fluoride helps to control decay not gum disease.

So Listerine doesn't do anything to help, igoring the potential damage from alcohol question?

brook2jack

The American FDA categorises mouthwashes into two types medicinal and cosmetic ie they have no
Proven health benefits. Over 90% of mouthwashes are classified as cosmetic.

In this country the asa has withdrawn many mouthwash ads as they are misleading.

For toothpaste to work the fluoride must remain in the mouth for as long as possible so spit don't rinse. But in addition components of toothpaste interact with components of mouthwash rendering them inactive so never use a mouthwash within an hour of brushing with toothpaste.

The vast majority of mouthwashes do nothing for gum or tooth health. The few that do should be used for a short time only in specific circumstances.

If your gums are covered in plaque or tartar no mouthwash in the world can get past that to the gums. You have to physically remove the crud to remove sources of inflammation. Once the plaque has gone the inflammation goes.

Most mouthwashes will make bad breath worse as the alcohol
In them dries out the mouth making halitosis worse.

For the majority of dentists and hygienists mouthwash is a triumph of advertising over science. Avoid.

StevieJ

brook2jack wrote: »

For the majority of dentists and hygienists mouthwash is a triumph of advertising over science. Avoid.

My dentist agrees but includes the use of electric toothbrushes as well, I disagree because according to my hygienist when using both the above the [STRIKE]plague[/STRIKE] plaque on my teeth was much reduced, I have stopped using the achohol based listerine so I will find out next visit what was achieving the results. I still use a little of the alcohol free to lubricate the bottle brushes for cleaning between my teeth.

welshdent

I swear by electric toothbrushes (rechargeable ones). The biggest improvements I see with my patients come from those that switch to them from hand brushing. Technically speaking, when perfect technique is used, there is no difference between hand and electric... but every single time you brush especially half asleep first thing in the morning can you guarantee perfect technique? Electric just takes the complicated bits away from you

pollypenny

What do you think of sonic toothbrushes?

My rotary Oral b won't charge, so I am using a sonic Oral B - not keen on the big head or the sound.

Is it a myth that they make teeth whiter?

brook2jack

There is no reliable evidence to say they are better than rotary brushes. The only way any toothbrush will make your teeth whiter is by removing stain, so if you have no stain then your teeth won't go whiter.