I have what I think is the best kept tooth whitening secret ever. Dentists will kill me for revealing this to you, but I can’t hold back. Recently, I was getting my teeth cleaned and I asked about the teeth whitening programs they offered. They have the one hour “laser” treatment that happens while you are at the dentist, or the take home method where you get something that looks like my old lacrosse mouth guard and you fill it with this solution that will whiten your teeth. You put the mouth guard on for a period of time in the comfort of your home and volia, your teeth are whiter. Either way you go, it costs $600! I told the dentist that I thought that was way too expensive and she told me that most dentists charge over $700! I knew I could never afford that, but my teeth are browning from all the coffee
Article continues below...
Advertisement
I drink so I went over to CVS and bought a $20 Rembrandt teeth whitening kit. You mold the mouth guard yourself and use their gel to whiten. I tried it and it did absolutely nothing for my teeth. I thought that was $20 down the drain until the lightbulb went off! Next time I was at the dentist and I asked how much the gel would cost if I already had the mouth guard (thinking of my cheap $20 mouth guard from my Rembrandt kit). The dentist said, “if you already have the mouth guard and you just need the gel, it’s $60.” So instead of $600, it’s $60?!?! I decided I had to go for it and I did. Within one treatment my teeth were much whiter. It’s definitely a stronger formula than the OTC stuff, so it worked wonders and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg and a tooth!
09.21.08 @ 1:57 pm
I have caps on my front teeth and therefore, cannot use any whitening kits. Any ideas?
09.23.08 @ 9:56 am
Last minute lady I like your tip about tooth whitening. Do you have any suggestions for someone whose teeth were effected by using Tetracycline? When i was a teenager the Air Force docs prescribed Tetracycline for about 2 years to help treat my acne. Coffee and smoking made my teeth yellower. I am using Arm and Hammer whitener booster with colgate toothpaste right now. My teeth look a little whiter. I’d really appreciate your wisdom since money is beyond tight. I am unemployed and know white teeth help in the interview process.
Thanks and GOD bless
09.23.08 @ 4:58 pm
Hey Everyone- Try this- Hydrogen Peroxide!! Just pour some on your toothbrush with your tooth paste and brush for a minute or more then rinse. I also will sometimes fill the cap up 2 times with the hydrogen peroxide and swish it in my mouth for about a minute and rinse. You don’t want to swallow it, and it tastes awful, but the results are worth it. The cost??? Maybe a dollar for a whole bottle. Give it a try! God Bless !!
09.23.08 @ 6:39 pm
i was wondering where i can buy the gel at cause i tierd doing it at a whitening booth and it was like $150.00 and my theeth didnt even get any whiter…but me sister teeth tat were already white got even whiter so im asking where i can buy this gel????
09.24.08 @ 10:27 am
Please give me the answer to the teeth whitening, with crowns……..
09.24.08 @ 10:35 am
Best way immediate results! Take floss let it sit in your Hydrogen Peroxide lid while you put your makeup on etc. Brush your teeth normally, Then take the floss and floss-your teeth and you will see results not seen from regular whiteners. It attacks and whitens the plaque and stains inbetween the teeth. After you floss, brush your teeth using the peroxide left from flossing already on the teeth. Mega white~!
09.24.08 @ 6:48 pm
I have been using 5 minute Plus White for almost a year and have seen my teeth lighten several shades.My teeth are not very bad but being a coffee drinker and a smoker you can imagine their not too white. If I use it on a regular basis though people ask me if I have been to the dentist to have my teeth done and I only spent less than 20 bucks.
09.26.08 @ 3:47 pm
Thanks for the tip. We already use Hydrogen Peroxide for scratches, and as a cleaner. You are right it would be a very inexpensive whitener!
09.26.08 @ 4:12 pm
I am a dental assistant. I am very sorry to say that the answer to the ? about whitening crowns is that you can not. Porcelain will not whitening nor will tooth colored fillings. The only way to get them whiter is unfortunately to get new porcelain crowns. I know it is very $$$$$. My personal opinion is people who have natural looking teeth are prettier than fake white : )
09.26.08 @ 5:42 pm
my mom went to her denist and they told her to mix baking soda and peroxide to gether and make a paste use it before brushing and in a day or so you can see the differance worked great for me
09.26.08 @ 7:48 pm
Crowns MAY brighten up a LITTLE bit if they are stained on the outsides (from coffee, smoking etc). However, they can not get whiter than the color they were when they were first placed. As far as tetracycline staining…that is THE most difficult stain to whiten. Sometimes the in-office whitenings do not even help. But, I will say that all of them that I have done have helped tremendously!!! If you keep with the at home whitening long enough you may be able to get there but sensitivity is sometimes a problem. I agree with “tooth fairy”…you do not want your teeth too white. You want to look natural but “brightened up”. By the way, I am a dental hygienist that has done many, many in-office bleachings. It is great to see the happy faces when we are finished!!
09.27.08 @ 7:20 am
Yes Racheal I have a problem being alone I dont really know how to fixes meals for one that help the waist line I lov to eat but its hurts me in the long run. I enjoy watching your show it takes me away from my pain and its the best medicine for me thank u for being u best wishes Helen
09.29.08 @ 8:53 am
Teeth whitening…get your mouth guard OTC from one of the cheaper teeth whitening systems and buy ‘proxygel’. It comes in a tube similar to toothpaste but usually is located behind the pharmacy counter. Just Ask!! You don’t need a prescription and it’s the same stuff the dentist sell you!! I use to bleach my teeth but no longer can. I have such sensitive teeth that it hurts to bleach-any help with this????
10.01.08 @ 3:29 pm
Thank-you Thats A Good Tip For Alot Of Us.
10.02.08 @ 2:16 pm
I see a periodontist for my gums. Can I use any of these methods of whitening my teeth without harming anything?
10.03.08 @ 2:08 pm
For whiter teeth use a small amount of BAKING SODA. I have use it most of my life and have always had great complements on my teeth. When I started with my dentist he ask me what kind of tooth paste I was using. We could not afford regular tothpaste so we used baking soda. I would also rinse my mouth out with a small amount peroxide.
10.03.08 @ 5:39 pm
Be careful when using peroxide in your mouth. I did this many years ago on a regular basis and it “killed” my taste buds. It was only temporary but was a strange feeling while it lasted. Haven’t tried it since.
10.03.08 @ 10:27 pm
Is the mouth guard you have one from the $20 kit you bought, or the actual athletic mouth guard? Also, then at home treatment they suggested, is there a name for it? Smart thinking lady!
10.07.08 @ 7:25 pm
Oct. 07/08 you had a guest on your show he worked on changing peoples addictions, (shopping - not picking up etc. I need to know how I may see this segment. I wish to seaarch his thoiughts on alocholism
10.08.08 @ 11:46 am
Joyce is right, a safe and effective way to whiten and clean your teeth thoroughly is buy using plain and simple baking soda on your teeth. Brush as if you where brushing with a regular paste…you can use the paste after. Baking soda is used for many things such as cooking, cleaning, oder eliminating and even in your tooth paste. When you use it on your tooth brush directly you provide direct contact to your teeth, as apposed to through your tooth paste. This is also good for those who have sensitive teeth and periodontist.
10.09.08 @ 8:41 pm
Years ago I spent a couple hundred dollars at the dentist for teeth whitening. After I ran out of the gel they gave me, they told me I could use proxygel found at any drugstore. I couln’t believe I spent all this money when I could have gotten it at the drugstore!!!Very affordable:)
10.11.08 @ 6:42 pm
Hi I just want to say thanks everyone for the great teeth whitening tips.Iam going to try them.
MaryAnn