If I use a mouthwash that whitens teeth with braces on, will I end up with stains when they come off?
369029
When you get the braces off, the cement gets drilled off as well, so you should be ok.  Once they do that, your teeth get polished so any uneven coloring should be taken care of.
441501
Abbrasives! Beware, these so called whiteners will typically destroy the enamel coating on your teeth, exposing them to infections and eventaully your teeth will rot.\nWhen you brush with these abbrasives it is similar to brushing with sand, you are litteraly grinding the surface of your teeth off!
60719
I saw on 20/20 or Primetime that mouthwash isn't as good for you as expected. Well for clean breath anyway. They had said that the alcohol in mouthwash temporarily stops saliva production which causes bad breath quicker. See, saliva helps to dissolve plaque and food particles so if you aren't producing saliva then your breath will get nastier quicker. My dentist told me the best bet is floss and good brushing techniques will do a far more superior job. Just my 2 cents worth.
94892
actually yes..\nperoxide is an ingredient of whitening kits\nand is commercially used\nbut dnt use high concentrations, it can be damaging otherwise..
563882
Whitening toothpaste will not actually whiten your teeth... at best, it may remove some of the extrinsic stains on your teeth caused by such things as smoking or drinking coffee, tea and dark colas.  It is not advised to use it because it is very abrasive and can potentially damage the enamel of your teeth.
745285
Well, first off I would highly recommend a water pic to keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible.  Then when you brush your teeth use a whitening toothpaste or even use plain baking soda from the kitchen.  It will help.\nAfter your braces come off you can get the real whitening strips to make that perfect smile sparkle !
730092
Some whitening toothpastes are more abrasive and can wear down the enamel of your teeth causing more sensitivity. Because the enamel is being brushed away, it can also cause darkening/yellowing of the teeth since the second layer of a tooth is dentin and has a darker color.\n\nSome mouthwashes have a high content of alcohol and is not recommended for recovering alcoholics. Also, it can be very irritating and can cause the inside of your cheeks to slough off.
102982
I think so---I use Crest White Strips.  In fact whenever I use them, my dentist alwasy comments on how white my teeth are.
297388
It's not going to happen.  Whitening toothpastes will not change the shade of your teeth.... at best, they may do a little better at removing some of the everyday stains caused by such things as smoking and drinking dark beverages.  I do not recommend them because they are very abrasive and could potentially harm the enamel of the teeth.  As for the over-the-counter bleaching materials such as crest white strips, NONE of them are approved by the ADA (American Dental Association).  For products that are approved by the ADA you will need to see your dentist.  Also, it's best to be under the care of a dentist while you are whitening due to high reports of sensitivity and in case of any allergic reactions.
15279
I use the Crest Premium Whitestrips and my mom noticed my teeth were whiter after only 4 days use (I don't live with her, I just visited after 4 days use.)  My dental hygenist noticed after I used the week's worth and it was about 3 months later.  I also use Aquafresh Extreme Whitening toothpaste, I don't think it helps much, but piece of mind.  Just as an FYI - I drink about 5 cups of coffee every week also and that doesn't help them stay white.
98709
use crest white strips
591552
The crest whitening products work great. I use Crest whitening toothpaste and it's made a difference.
545677
Hi, Crest white Strips will take the enamel(sp?) of of your teeth. The enamal protects your teeth. I recommend not to use them. It works beutifully, but here are some homemade methods that are great!\n\n1)It's not a myth...baking powder works like magic, I personally have used it. Baking soda is a natural bleach, so it actually can not do any harm for you!\n\n2)Have you tried hydrogen peroxide (Sp?). It too works great. If you mix them together on your toothbrush you will have a white smile. (It is recommend not to use the hydrogen poroxide more than 3 times a week)\n\nAnyways, give it a try...and I hope it helps! \n\nP.S. By the way many people use lemon juice. DO NOT use this. It is too citrusy for your teeth and can eat away at them. Good luck! :)
690342
i agree with the dentist here. you may as well save yourself the trouble of using them in the first place. i myself have used the tray system with my dentist and it wasnt all that costly. probably the most cost effective way to get your teeth whitened with very good results. and yes no whitening technique works on any restorations (crowns, bridges, fillings etc). best thing to do is whiten then replace your restorations to match the color of your teeth after whitening. good luck
553075
Use Crest Whitestrips!!! I have been using them yearly since they came out a few years ago... They have turned my teeth from almost the worst color yellow they can get (due to very bad dental hygene when I was younger) to the bright white like most models on the commercials...and they are only $20...that is sooo cheap for waht they can do for someones confidence!!! I have been getting compliments ever since I had gone through just half of a box!!!.......oh and if u do buy them make sure you buy the original ones in the cheap box...all of the other kinds Crest has out do the exact same thing (not one is better than the other!) the reason I say to buy the original ones is because they are the cheapest!!!
1003477
The only way to get your teeth super white is by bleaching or veneers. Whitestrips do not wear tooth enamel away. I'm a licenced dental hygienist and I use them all of the time. They do cause sensitivity though but it goes away. That is the cheapest route. The next step up is bleaching trays and in office whitening which is expensive and not worth the cost for the instant gratification. Whatever you do do not go crazy with whitening toothpaste.  This really does wear down enamel over time, esp. if you are scrubbing because you don't like the tooth color. All that makes toothpaste"whitening" is just abrasive stuff. Then you scrub off the enamel to expose the dentin which is naturally yellow in color. Sorry to ramble but I see this every day.
85634
Hydrogen Peroxide is not a good idea undiluted because it removes critical oxygen from the gums. If you want to swish around peroxide in your mouth don't leave it long and don't let it sit on your gums. generally though it is better to use it in toothpaste form. If by any chance you do accidently bleach your gums it doesn't generally hurt them. Just take a rag, wet it in warm water, and take a corner and rub the white spot on your gums for a while. Be careful not to make them bleed though.\n\nCharis