[rwjones]

How harsh are these products on one's teeth? Can anyone attest to the efficacy (especially as a function of price) of these? Did your dentist easily notice you've been using them and yell at you because you didn't instead go to him for professional treatment, thereby failing to fund his golf vacations and Rolex collection?

 

[Mr D]

I think you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to this sort of thing. Remember your teeth and gums are conduits into your internal self, so do you really want to use harsh chemicals/bleaches that may have far reaching consequences once inside you?

As a not-totally-un-related aside, Beware of mercury in your fillings, nasty stuff when it gets inside you.

 

[dcjacobson]

The only product I've tried is Listerine Whitening. I can't address the harshness of it, but I can say this: It doesn't work! I've about used up one bottle now, and I can see no difference in my teeth.

Good luck,
Don

 

[TMMKC]

I use Crest White Strips at least twice (sometimes three) times a year and have never had any problems whatsoever. In fact, thanks to my coffee and red wine consumption, my dentist recommends them. It's easy...five minutes a day. I've always been pleased with the results.

 

[nolan50410]

When it comes to teeth whitening, you absolutely get what you pay for. I spent well over a hundred bucks on over the counter stuff that just didn't work. I finally gave in and got my dentist to make the expensive ($400) mouth pieces for me. It really works very well. You just put the bleach in the trays, put them in and go to sleep. In fact, I haven't had to use the trays for over a year. I got a little bonding done to some teeth and they used the whitest polish they had. The stuff works, and if you use proper cleaning techniques, it won't stain again.

 

[SlowE30]

I used Crest white strips a few times, years ago. They definitely work, but they made my teeth very sensitive, so I've never finished a whole box. Also, they don't reach all the way around to the back, so if you have a very wide smile it may be noticable. They're still worth the $20 or whatever, in my opinion.

Since then, I've just been doing my regular brushing with Colgate whitening toothpaste and always get complements on my smile. I discontinued the whitening toothpaste in favor of "tartar control" a few weeks ago out of unfounded paranoia that long term use might somehow weaken or make my teeth sensitive. No change yet.