Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

Does Teeth Whitening Really Work?

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Have you ever wondered – does teeth whitening really work?

See for yourself: before and after pics of Miss 16 Almost 17. The first photo was taken just after she had her braces taken off in August. The second photo was taken in the last couple of weeks, after about a month of teeth whitening treatment.

Does Teeth Whitening Really Work

What: Professional Teeth Whitening take home kit – a mold was made of her teeth to create clear plastic trays for her upper and lower jaws, and she was given whitening treatment to use at night. At first she only used it for a couple of hours at a time as it can make teeth extra sensitive; then she went on to leaving it in overnight.

When: It took perhaps four weeks in total to get it to the stage where she was happy with the results. Now she has the kit, she can use it every now and then if she feels her teeth are discolouring again (eg from coffee, or red wine). So basically she will have lovely white teeth now for years!

Where: Our family dentist in Cleveland.

Why: We promised Miss Almost 17 she could have her teeth whitened after her braces were taken off (and before her school formal!).

How Much: Just under $500 (so it’s not cheap – we told her to think of it as an early graduation present!), but yes, this type of teeth whitening really works. She is extremely happy with the results. Our health fund didn’t provide any rebates as it was considered a “cosmetic” procedure – but yours may be different.

Now even *I*, dental-phobe that I am, have been considering having the treatment done too! I’ll keep you posted …

Joining Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday – even though it’s not very Wordless, I thought you’d be interested in the details 🙂

NB This is NOT  a sponsored post, just sharing about our experience.

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Comments

  3. This is fantastic. I have used the ones off the shelf and they do not work. Every time I go to my dentist he asks the same question”Do you smoke?” No. “Do you drink a lot of coffee/tea?” No. Hmm…your teeth are normally yellow then. I hate it. Others may not notice but I do. I wonder how long it lasts for thought?

    • It’s been a month or two and Miss Almost 17 said she will wear it again tonight for a “touch up”. There is plenty of the whitening solution left. Apparently it can last for years once you’ve had the molds made and can touch up whenever you feel the need.

  4. Tsk tsk I hope Miss almost 17 isn’t drinking a lot of coffee and red wine! 😉 glad she got great results with it! you’d want to for just under $500! but if she can use it any time, then I guess it’s got some value!

    • She loves coffee, but yes I did think twice about the red wine!!! 😉

      Yes expensive but it will last a loooong time.

  5. I have surprisingly white teeth, well so I’m told and have never tried to make them that way. I can tell the difference and it’s a great pressie because it’s the first thing people notice after a smile is your teeth! x

    • You’re lucky Em. I took antibiotics as a young ‘un and my teeth have been discoloured for as long as I can remember. I usually don’t let it bother me, but I *will* confess that if I touch up a photo of myself, the first thing I do is whiten my teeth!!!!

    • I don’t think the off the shelf stuff does much, so it was good to know that this actually works (and so it should for the cost!)

    • She’s already given them one night’s touch up Tamara. But there’s enough solution to last her for years.

  8. I have found that Colgate (red one) really expensive toothpaste and mouth wash has given me whiter teeth, not brilliant but a definite improvement.

    • Good to know Rae! I have been thinking I’d rather try that than spend $500.