I'd like to get some teeth whitening done, not this crazy scary brilliant white like some people have but something to lighten up years of coffee drinking. My teeth aren't nasty but I'd love to have them a few shades lighter.

I remember getting trays made maybe 15-20 years ago at my dentist and having a gel you'd put in them that you would wear at night. I don't remember the results but I do recall my teeth hurting pretty badly not soon into it and I gave up on it pretty fast.

My dentist offers a procedure now called Zoom by Philips that is $299 with a $50 rebate.

I had started using a whitening toothpaste and rinse starting January 1 that is supposed to show results within a month but am not sure if I should just get the Zoom procedure done and not use this stuff. So far my teeth do not hurt with the paste and rinse but I'm worried the Zoom process will make them hurt or sensitive. Has anyone used it?

This is what I'm using right now:





What should I do here? Any thoughts?

Any peroxide based whitener has the potential to make your teeth sensitive. DDS is more concentrated than OTC, so the results are quicker. You aren't going to get the degree of whitening of an office procedure with a rinse or toothpaste. Crest Whitestrips are somewhere in between.

My dentist suggested I not use whitening toothpaste. He says whitening toothpaste is just more abrasive and wears away your enamel faster than non-whitening toothpaste.

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
My dentist suggested I not use whitening toothpaste. He says whitening toothpaste is just more abrasive and wears away your enamel faster than non-whitening toothpaste.

The stuff I'm using isn't an abrasive type, it's a peroxide based type. No grit whatsoever.

Yeah I've never seen much change with those toothpastes, etc with my family members. The only thing that seems to work are those professional level whitening trays. Wife had some work done which needed whitening to match and in 2 days at home with the trays it looked much whiter.

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
My dentist suggested I not use whitening toothpaste. He says whitening toothpaste is just more abrasive and wears away your enamel faster than non-whitening toothpaste.

My dentist concurs with your dentist. He sells Opalescence. Some swear by Crest strips from CVS. Others do the tray. I guess you have to figure out what works best for you.

quote:

Originally posted by PD:

My dentist concurs with your dentist. He sells Opalescence.

That name sounds familiar, I think that's the product I used back in the early 2000's that made my teeth hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by PD:

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
My dentist suggested I not use whitening toothpaste. He says whitening toothpaste is just more abrasive and wears away your enamel faster than non-whitening toothpaste.

My dentist concurs with your dentist. He sells Opalescence. Some swear by Crest strips from CVS. Others do the tray. I guess you have to figure out what works best for you.

I used Opalescense and it worked great.

The Opalescence gel comes in more than one strength. Get the weakest one, and don't use too much of it in the tray. It works great.
Also, you don't have to leave it in overnight at first. Gradually increase the time the trays are in until you can go all night without sensitivity.