It’s been proven that teeth are one of the very first things men and women notice about each other. So, having pearly whites is a perfect way to make an awesome first impression! Back in 2016, I whitened my teeth with over-the-counter (OTC) products (more on that below). But, I’ve been wanting to professionally whiten my teeth for a couple of years now. After having braces as a kid and still wearing a mouth guard today, my teeth are in pretty good condition. But, a healthy addiction to Starbucks and red wine isn’t helping me decrease the stains I have! While those OTC products work well, I wanted something stronger since my enamel is wearing down as I age. So, I’m sharing my teeth whitening experience here.
I’ve been going to the same dentist, Dr. Keith Schwartz for nearly the last 10 years. His office always uses the latest technology and best products. So, when I decided I wanted to whiten my teeth, I was confident he’d recommend a great product. He told me we’d be using Philips Zoom NiteWhite which is a take-home whitening product. His team gave me all the details on the process: I’d get molds of my mouth made for the trays and then come in every two weeks for six weeks to check my progress. I could whiten every other day for 30-60 minutes (up to a few hours) and just had to pay attention to any sensitivity I might feel. The whole process is similar Crest Whitestrips I’ve used in the past. Except, instead of the strips I’d have my custom trays.
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My Teeth Whitening Experience
Overall, I’d say my teeth whitening experience was easy and painless. When I posted on Instagram that I’d be doing this, there was a flood of questions. The number one question I received was, “does it hurt?” For me personally, the answer was no. But, I don’t have a lot of tooth sensitivity in general. That said, the Philips whitening gel formula is specially designed to reduce sensitivity. But, they do say you can swap out your toothpaste to help with any pain you might have as a side effect.
The process of filling the trays with the gel was simple and I wore them 3x a week on average for 30-60 minutes. Like I said, my teeth are in pretty good condition already. So, I didn’t need to jump 10 shades on the whitening scale. The active ingredient, carbamide peroxide, worked quickly.
The other question asked quite a bit was around cost. My dentist requires that you’re an existing patient to get whitening. The goal is to be sure you have healthy teeth. So, you get a consultation, x-rays, full exam and review of your gum and tissue. From there, it’s around $200 for the custom trays and whitening kit. I’m sure this varies based on where you go.
What To Expect After Teeth Whitening
Drumroll please! So, what were my results? After whitening for six weeks, my teeth jumped 4-5 shades on the whitening scale (picture below). To be fair, I didn’t have that far to go from the start. But, while I love my Crest Whitestrips, I found professional teeth whitening to be far superior!
What’s the difference between professional whitening and whitening toothpaste?
Some of you asked how this compares to the whitening toothpastes that are popular. I haven’t used one of those. But, my dentist said this product is far stronger.
Is there any upkeep after you whiten your teeth?
I’m glad you asked. Yes, while my teeth look incredible now, there is upkeep. Luckily, I still have a full syringe of gel that I can use every few months to brighten and whiten my teeth. And, I have a bunch of tips to keep your teeth white. More on that below.
Tips To Keeping Your Teeth White
Whether you decide to use an over the counter product or get your teeth professionally whitened, there are a few key tips to keeping your teeth white:
Brush your teeth
The cardinal rule to healthy, whiter teeth is to brush your teeth twice a day. Consider this the bare minimum! My preferred toothpaste is Tom’s of Maine Whole Care. They have a variety of options and flavors. What I love about this brand is that it’s a clean toothpaste and doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners.
Limit your red wine
Another no brainer, but you should limit your red wine intake. This one is impossible hard for me. Reality check: there’s a slim chance I won’t be drinking red wine. So, the alternative is to brush your teeth afterward, when possible.
Limit your coffee intake
A big culprit for most people – coffee stains teeth easily. My downfall? The Starbucks Vanilla Frappucino’s that are pre-packaged. Gah! Why are they so good!? Again, if you can brush your teeth after drinking coffee, that will help.
Floss your teeth
As the #1 dentist recommended brand, I swear by the Oral-B Glide Floss. You always want to floss before you whiten and this floss glides 50% smoother than regular floss. That might sound trivial, but I promise it’s important to your gums. Simply flossing also helps your teeth look whiter since it removes plaque that can make your teeth look dingy.
