wallyc

Here is the deal about bleaching your teeth. I sell dental supplies in dental offices - cements, composite filling material, impression material and of course - bleach. All sorts of bleach. The stuff you "squirt" into a custom bleaching tray is Carbimide Peroxide - breaks down to Hydrogen Peroxide in your mouth. Must be 50 brands - BIG Money in bleaching for dental offices. Every one wants white teeth - some sooo white it looks like white paint !! Be aware you can not bleach porcelain crowns and it also does not work on composite fillings or veneers.. Some people are very sensitive to higher concentrations. 5% Hydrogen = about 15% Carbimide. Highest I've seen is about 20% Carbimide - probably need lots of Ibuprofen for days for a sensetive person. There is a brand of 5% Hydrogen that you wear for 30 minutes a day for 7 days and has very low sensitivity. Also, the Brite Smile paint-on pen system is mildly effective. Studys have shown that the use of a high power UV lite system is NOT much more effective than the bleach itself - a marketing tool. Most dentists were UN-Aware of this when they bought the UV bleaching systems, but some patients insist on the UV procedure. Most of the cost, to you the patient, is haveing the appointment to take the impression in order to make the custom bleaching tray - this helps to keep the bleach on the teeth that need to be bleached and away from your gum tissue. Bleach will burn your tissue and it also will be white, for awhile. If you are normal with yellowish-tint teeth (the best for bleaching, best results) then seems to me the easy way is to buy Crest or Oral-B White Strips (think Oral-B is a little stronger) and use them for 10 to 14 days. Cost around $50 US. If you can find a Non-Fluoride toothpaste, use it until the bleaching course is done. Flouride may interfere with the bleching process If you have a grayish tint or very heavy stains, then a trip to the dentist is the only way. hope this helps, wallyc