What teeth whitener works for you?

I'm a dental hygienist and at my office we first recommend the over the counter strips like Crest White Strips ($25). Sometimes that is all patients need and it is also a good way to find out if your teeth are sensitive to the whitening agent. If you had no sensivity and still want something more we offer the Crest White Strips that you can get only through a DDS ($80). If you want the gold standard and don't mind paying the price of $250 an arch, we make custom trays that you wear at home. The bleach is a 15% peroxide. The cost is in the custom made trays and refills on the bleach are only $25. Bleach will not change the color of crowns or composite fillings so this is always a consideration when doing bleaching. Also if you have recession (where you have root exposure), you can become very sensitive as these areas are not covered with enamel. This is why I recommend using the cheaper, less strong strips first. Also, one of the best toothpastes out there for keeping your teeth white, reduce plaque build up and feel extra clean is Arm & Hammer's Proxicare which has both peroxide and baking soda. Remember brush twice a day, floss once a day and see your dental professional every six months.

• reply

I had the bleaching done at the dentist and it was evolve. I want to continue bleaching with my trays. What can I order that is higher than 15% and only the refillable syringes. Thank you Deborah Belton

• reply

Teeth whiteners are all basically the same materials. They are either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Over the counter products are just lower in percentage than products from a dental office. If you want to experiment with a lower cost OTC product, don't be surprised if you don't get a great result because it often is a slower and more gradual process. If you want more immediate gratification and don't mind the additional cost, then do in-office whitening and follow it up with take home whitening in a custom tray.

• reply