Tried it a few years ago. Didn't do much for me.
Had high fever as an infant. Thus, my teeth are not as bright, or
"sexy" (as Sada puts it) as they could be. So I tried bleaching. The
only thing that came out of it was that my gums retreaded a little and
the enamel became very thin. My teeth were extremely sensitive.
Then I stopped.
If anybody has a better, affordable, new wave solution... I am game!
Scott - that sounds horrid.....and I've heard about the sensitivity issue, but receding gums??
Aargh!!!
Yes but that doesn`t stop me from typing on here
NTI is perfect for night grinding. Highly recommended!
off-the-wall-humor department (i.e. Off Topic).
Firstly, I had a check up to ensure my teeth were in great nick. I had them professionally cleaned. Then I went back the next week, and had them bleached. I have very strong (not at all sensitive) teeth.
The procedure itself didn't hurt at all, but I found the aftermath excruciating. I was getting zapping pains in my teeth that happens to a small minority of people (usually only those with sensitive teeth).
Also, I got it done during a special- $300 out of my pocket, $300 from my insurance for cleaning etc- normally it would've cost atleast $1000. Prices in AUD.
The difference was monumental though. My teeth went from being the darkest colour on their scale to the lightest. At first there was gradation in the tooth colour with the tip of the tooth lighter than the root. But in about 2 weeks the colour evened out and looked very natural. I was and am very happy with the result. For years I had incredibly healthy teeth that didn't look it because of medication caused staining. Now they look and are healthy!
I would say- get it professionally done if possible or atleast get dentist fitted trays to do it at home, and make sure you have a good check up/clean first. You want to bleach the teeth not the plaque.
Oh- and edit: I use the gels maybe once in a year and a half or so. I need to do half an hour a day, for 2 weeks to keep them gleamy. But otherwise, I brush with my normal paste, but once or twice a month, I just brush with baking soda (with water added so its a paste). It keeps my teeth white- but not that horribly fake glowy white.
I have done this since I was a child, with no real explanation as to why. I only do it at night and have no 'symptoms' (no pain, etc.) My dentist in the US recognized the wear and tear on my teeth and I was fitted with a mouth guard for me (not an over-the-counter sport guard) made of heavy duty plastic (i think that is what is was made of). Unfortunately, after 6 months I actually ground a hole in the guard and from grinding it had lost it's shape and did not fit anymore. So the Dentist then made me a 'hard' guard. Very hard resin that covers my bottom molars and fitted to my jaw. This works, but I have even 'ground' out pieces of this over time. I have to wear it every night, and it is saving my teeth. Good luck and PM me if you want to discuss more!
However, as many of you mentioned, stress might be a big factor - and stress can be caused by almost everything in your life - without you being aware of it. Therefore, in addition to the guard I would always suggest to research the causes. This can be done through various ways. One way - which will also find the hidden causes - can be hypnosis - only one side effect: relaxation - which almost everyone could use every now and then, don't we
The good thing about that would be that on the longterm you might not need the guard anymore...
This is my website in case you want more information on this.
However, any relaxation method already helps. Just like mentioned before, Thai Chi, yoga, etc. can sometimes work wonders...