Best tooth whitener treatment (guys, light, damage, look)

[southdown]

Many questions.......

What's the best treatment available at the dentists these days?

Is the laser (Zoom?) worth the money? Does it need lots of preparation to de-sensitize beforehand...?

Which home treatments work well, and don't hurt??!!!

thanks!!

[miu]

I can't answer any of your questions. But once you whiten your teeth, remember that in the long run, too many treatments will damage your tooth enamel. And to keep your teeth white, avoid drinking coffee, tea and cokes. Also teeth that look too white look funny imo.

[Haaziq]

And if you absolutely have to drink soda, coffee, or tea, use a straw.

[southdown]

I agree with you guys, and thanks for the advice - it's not for me but for a friend who is coming to stay with me and wants to do her teeth while she is here on vacation....not sure why...? But I'll pass on your advice!

[miu]

Maybe you can tell her that her teeth look just fine. I know that my teeth aren't the whitest, but everyone is always telling me that I have a great smile so that's good enough for me.

[stone-ground]

Yeah that sensitivity thing really scares me.

If it's causing that kind of sensation, then I feel it's doing damage to the enamel also.

Same as bleach does to clothes, it makes the material thinner each time.

[TootsieWootsie]

Watch straws, also. They will eventually cause little lines around your mouth like smoking cigarettes does. I know this one, so trust me. I quit using a straw, and I always used to use one.

[andreaspercheron]

Originally Posted by miu

I can't answer any of your questions. But once you whiten your teeth, remember that in the long run, too many treatments will damage your tooth enamel. And to keep your teeth white, avoid drinking coffee, tea and cokes. Also teeth that look too white look funny imo.

I have to agree, a friend of mine had his teeth whitened and everytime he smiled I just saw chicklets LOL Too funny

[fabumom07]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

Watch straws, also. They will eventually cause little lines around your mouth like smoking cigarettes does. I know this one, so trust me. I quit using a straw, and I always used to use one.

OMG now straws cause aging? Back to the topic,I use the whitning light thingy because it is fast but I am a big coffee drinker so they always yellow again.

[cb at sea]

You definitely have to "de-sensitize" your teeth for about 2 weeks prior to Zoom.
Try the Crest whitestrips--they really worked wonders for me! After about 3 days, I noticed a HUGE difference!
They will sometimes cause some mild sensitivity, but some sensodyne toothpaste will help with that, and it does tend to moderate and go away with time. The whitening effect has lasted more than 9 months at maximum brilliance, for me! Even my dentist comments how white my teeth are!
And, it's a whole lot cheaper than Zoom!