Advice on Teeth Whitening Discussion Thread

jugglebug

londondent wrote: »

Another thing to add, is that people who do grind/clench their teeth, do not get great whitening results. I can't remember what the exact science is behind this ( think it may be due to cracks and thin enamel), but I'm sure someone much smarter than me ( tooth smith/brook2jack/welsh dent) can clarify.

I think it is mainly to do with the trays flexing when bitten on. They then let in saliva and the enzymes in that can deactivate the peroxide in the gels.
Saying that I am a chronic Bruxist and I whitened fine. (I destroyed a bite raiser in less than a fortnight when sitting final BDS all those years ago :-) )Use a B splint now a la Dawson. :T

brook2jack

The other problems can be the stained fine cracks some bruxers have which can be a nightmare , and translucent enamel which doesn't whiten well.

In the end you have to listen to the dentist who has examined you and follow their advice. If they say it will damage the enamel or may not work , then they are telling you this in your best interest. This is why you pay more for legal dentist led whitening as the best treatment for you and your oral health will be done.

Teethwhiteninguk

Toothsmith wrote: »

Stop it again with this 'please provide the evidence' tosh!

If you are promoting a company that wont even name its ingredients then you do not have the right to even enter into any sort of adult discussion on safety and efficacy.

The reason that Dr Ginger's company has no mention of any active ingredient on its website is because

A. It's ineffective

B. It's dangerous

C. It's illegal

Now, if you would kindly tell us what it actually is, we can see which one, or, indeed how many of those options it is under!

I am a consumer, the ingredients were listed on the product. No adverse reaction was experienced and a good result achieved.

Who takes a copy of of ingredients on any beauty treatment received?

Teethwhiteninguk

brook2jack wrote: »

The other problems can be the stained fine cracks some bruxers have which can be a nightmare , and translucent enamel which doesn't whiten well.

In the end you have to listen to the dentist who has examined you and follow their advice. If they say it will damage the enamel or may not work , then they are telling you this in your best interest. This is why you pay more for legal dentist led whitening as the best treatment for you and your oral health will be done.

My dentist was fine with procedure.

brook2jack

Teethwhiteninguk wrote: »

My dentist was fine with procedure.

I doubt any dentist would be fine with an unqualified person applying an unknown chemical to the oral tissues of a patient of theirs.

lostinrates

brook2jack wrote: »

The other problems can be the stained fine cracks some bruxers have which can be a nightmare , and translucent enamel which doesn't whiten well.
.

I don't grind, but my front teeth look a little crazed and translucent ....so I am guessing from this whitening is going to be a little disappointing?

I was considering talking to a dentist about whitening and then finally making a decision I have been putting off for a long time about a veneer on a front tooth). I thought it made sense to whiten first so a veneer could be made in the shade I obtain....presumably that's the correct order?

brook2jack

Absolutely right about the order and seeing the dentist first. Normally you leave a couple of weeks after whitening to see what the stable colour is as the teeth often fade a little.

It's difficult to predict precisely what colour any person will achieve by whitening but your own dentist should be able to guide you.

gwen80

Hi

Sorry I haven't read all the thread (it's rather long!), but I'm after some advice about tooth whitening. I'm thinking of getting it done. I don't want to put my dental health at risk (I had a LOT of orthodontic treatment to get my nice teeth - I'd just like them a bit whiter). I'm looking at going to my Mum's dentist. She's been going to him for years. He also used to treat me before I moved from the area.

Looking at his practice website, it says he has a special interest in Cosmetic Dentistry and holds the postgraduate certificate in Cosmetic Dentistry. He's also a Full member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD).

My questions are:

1. How safe is tooth whitening if done by a qualified reputable dentist?

2. Is there any particular method that is safer or more effective?

I know this dentist and would feel happy going to him for whitening, but is there anything else/other qualification I should check for?

Thanks

Gwen

brook2jack

How safe is cosmetic tooth whitening depends on how healthy your teeth, gums and general health is.

With any tooth whitening a dentist should do a thorough check up and x rays if appropriate.

Any dentist can provide safe tooth whitening.

As to safest and most effective .... different companies use different systems all claiming to be the best. In all cases the whitening is done by the same chemical. The research just says using a tray whitening system gives best most stable long term results and its important to use well fitting trays.

So you are going to be using a dentist you know and trust which is the number one most important point.

Gander

AppleChai wrote: »

I actually went to the dentist on Monday, it was googling about her advice that got me here. My teeth and gums are very healthy, I have never needed any dental treatment. The thing is I have had mixed answers from dentists, of the four I've seen one said whitening wouldn't work, one said it was possible but it would likely damage my tooth enamel, and two offered me expensive cosmetic whitening which they couldn't guarantee would work.

One of the problems is I just don't know when to trust dentists now that I'm a fee paying adult. The one I saw on Monday was very nice and seemed to know what she was talking about, but I'm a little dubious about her diagnosis. I told her I had been waking up in the night with a pain all around one side of my jaw, so she examined my teeth and did an x-ray and told me they were all healthy - no cavities, no gum disease, nothing at all to indicate where the pain was coming from. Her diagnosis was that I'm clenching my teeth in my sleep, and the treatment would be a mouth guard that comes under the £209 band three NHS. I told her I couldn't afford that and she offered it privately for £150. I still can't afford that so she then told me my molars are showing signs of wear from clenching (strangely, she never mentioned that when telling me my teeth were all fine) and the problem would only get worse. When it was clear I wasn't going to be persuaded to pay she said the problem might go away by itself and to come back in a year.

What am I supposed to believe?!

I've suffered with facial pain for years and only recently discovered it was from grinding my teeth. My NHS dentist made me a guard which only cost £30. However, it was for my upper teeth and pinched the inside of my cheeks. I've since seen the specialist at the hospital and had a guard for the bottom teeth, no charge. It has made a huge difference to the pain. Hope that helps.