[Moorf]

It's been over 18 months since we gave up smoking and we promised ourselves a teeth whitening treatment if we managed to stop for a year or more. Has anyone had this done and would you recommend it? I've been told the Zoom system in the dentists chair is the way to go.

Cheers
Moorf

[Avalon]

Not a clue - but would be interested in what you find out!

And CONGRATULATIONS.

[Moorf]

Cheers- it's been relatively painless too - I've had a couple of sneaky puffs when I've been at parties but I'm not going to beat myself up about that. :) So if you are trying to give up I can heartily recommend Alan Carr's book - found it after I read that Branson had used it to give up smoking...

http://allencarr.com/central/article/35/easy-way-to-stop-smoking

[Xaviera]

Congratulation on giving up smoking! I gave up 5y 8m ago (I have a counter on my computer) thus saving $27,306 dollars to date. I still miss it but no longer crave it.

I had trays made by my dentist and used a US product called Day White for 2 weeks - it was very effective and cost about $400 dollars. If I did it again I would probably go the laser way although I think thats about $1000.

Good luck!

[K&CS]

My dentist in the UK was absolutely dead against whitening - he said they use peroxide and that it's very bad for you and that all these people with perfect teeth will have health implications in the future. Whether or not he's right, I have no idea, but he certainly made me believe him that whitening teeth was a very bad thing to do. Would be interested to hear what dentists think.

Kate

[Moorf]

Yes, the Zoom method uses hydrogen peroxide with a laser to speed up the reaction! Hmm, might check it out a bit more Kate, thanks for that.... have heard the home kits aren't really worth it.

Xav - I shudder to think how much we've saved between us - and I can't see how we would have afforded to smoke here - it would have cost us around $200 a week to fund the habit... :eek:

[Nienke]

My dentist said the same thing, that it was not good for your teeth. He also said that the first bright whitening effect you get straight after a treatment would not last very long! I don't remember exactly why, but it had something to do with the drying out of your teeth due to the treatment.
But anyway: congratulations!

[Lupin]

A polish might help? Congratulations on giving up smoking....from friend's struggles I gather it's a very hard nut to crack.

[Trigirl]

For anyone trying to give up smoking I wholeheartedly agree with Moorf about the Allen Carr system. Over 2 and ½ years cigarette free for me now.

Congrats Moorf and anyone else who’s managed it!

[StevieD]

Teeth whitening is a very risky business apparently, not the best thing to do. The celebs who have the dazzling white smiles usually have the stick on veneers which do not harm the teeth like hydrogen peroxide.

[marcia]

Teeth whitening is a very risky business apparently, not the best thing to do. The celebs who have the dazzling white smiles usually have the stick on veneers which do not harm the teeth like hydrogen peroxide.

nahhh they just cost thousands :p

Well done on giving up smoking :raebanana - can't advise you on the teeth whitening though!

[GeordieLass]

I can reccomend Alan Carr's book too as him indoors hasn't touched a ciggy since reading it a year ago. Much nicer for me!

[Debbie P.]

Teeth whitening is a very risky business apparently, not the best thing to do. The celebs who have the dazzling white smiles usually have the stick on veneers which do not harm the teeth like hydrogen peroxide.

From very bitter experience DON'T GO down the veneer route. I had my front teeth done over 20 years ago when I was a shy teenager (my second teeth had been discoloured by ill-advised fluoride treatment as a toddler). I REALLY wish I hadn't! Back then, the technology wasn't up to much and they kept falling out and having to be reattached. And then last year, I was told they had to be replaced because a gap had formed between veneer and tooth and I might get tooth decay. Replacing them was expensive and painful. And I can't just get rid of them because my teeth have been filed down.

So, my strong advice is DON'T get veneers done on perfectly healthy teeth! I feel very let down by the dental profession for talking a gawky unconfident 14 year old into making such a decision.

[StevieD]

Yeah, I not saying I would go for it (can't afford them!!) but I just commenting on the fact that bleaching, which is what whitening is really, harms the enamel on the teeth.

I didn't realise the used of veneers involved filing teeth down?? I thought they just glued on to the front of the teeth?

Ah well. no chance of me getting it done, too much of an old fogey to bother now anyway :laugh

[Debbie P.]

Yes, they have to file the front of the tooth down a bit, so that the veneer fits in place and doesn't protrude over the front of your gum. It's agony when the veneer is removed - the thinned down tooth feels so sensitive to cold etc. Yum yum.

Nowadays, I wouldn't want to do anything cosmetic that actually involves a permanent change - I don't care what an wrinkled old git I am!

[Diny]

My dentist back in the UK was also dead against whitening treatments. However I use Pearl Drops whitening toothpaste and have to say I have quite a dazzling set of gnashers.

Here's a handy hint for giving up smoking .... get pregnant !!! I was a (one time) 30 a day girl, then I found out I was pregnant and stopped there and then - mid packet, cold turkey - never been there or done that again since that day.

Almost 12 years now and I could STILL murder for one after a meal or when I'm in a social situation. And to add insult to injury my food didn't start to taste better.

Good on you though Moorf for quitting, it's not easy.

Diny

[montana]

Congrats Moorf! That is wonderful that you were able to quit smoking.

I have whitened mine twice (yes Americans are somewhat obsessed with teeth). I used the Crest white strips for 14 days. I got them for $30 and they worked really well. However, the second time I whitened them I stopped in the middle because they made my teeth really sensitive. So... I havent heard of any long lasting ill effects but you might want to check with your dentist.

[KerryS]

I had mine whitened, because I took a long course of oxytetracycline as a teenager, which can stain the teeth. My dentist actually recommended bleaching as the only possible way to brighten them, but couldn't guarantee it would work as tetracycline discolouration is far more difficult to change than discolouration from other sources (smoking, coffee etc.)
I did BriteSmile, and although my teeth felt a little sensitive afterwards, there was a noticable change. I haven't noticed any longer term effects yet, but I only had it done a couple of years ago.

Congrats on the quitting smoking though! Well done!