Is the peroxide in toothpaste good for your teeth? or Does it just make them whiter?
930142
hydrogen peroxide is a reducing agent ie it removes oxygen from compounds when teeth are exposed to food particles that get stuck they form a film of yellow matter that cannot be removed hydrogen peroxide bleaches ie reduces the yellow matter it also kills bacteria by the same way by suffocation but too much of a good thing is bad and hydrogen peroxide with its mild acidic effect erodes the teeth over time
283682
I know you said excluding toothpaste, but have you tried the new Luminous?  I was in the same boat, and it was suggested to me, and I am very happy with the results!\n\nSorry!
176034
The best way to whiten your teeth is to see your dentist.  I wouldn't recommend anything over the counter.
305155
Ten Top Ways to Whiten Your Teeth\n\nAnd they are all simple!\n\nBefore you try something more drastic, give these simple little tips a try. You might find that your teeth are white than you ever imagined. \n1. Avoid coffee and red wine as much as possible. Both will quickly stain your teeth.\n\n2. Raw veggies will clean your teeth so you not only have a healthy snack, you are cleaning your teeth at the same time. \n\n3. Keep an eye on your toothbrush. It can't do its job if it is worn out. It might sound obvious, but you have no idea how many people hold on to the same old brush. If you think about it, it is almost impossible to brush away film that hides your white teeth, with a brush that has worn out bristles.\n\n4. Strawberries have a natural bleaching effect and are loaded with Vitamin C, so you simply can't lose. Rub the pulp over your teeth and then rinse.\n\n5. Brushing your teeth every 12 hours is considered a rule of thumb. This will prevent plaque from forming and stains setting. \n\n6. Lemon peel massaged over the teeth is often used for whitening. Rinse thoroughly. \n\n7. Avoid smoking. This is one of the quickest ways of turning white teeth yellow.\n\n8. Floss at least once a day. Stains can easily form between teeth. \n\n9. Use whitening toothpastes that have the American Dental Association seal of approval.\n\n10. Have your teeth professionally cleaned once a year. Your teeth will feel so much cleaner. Makes you wonder about the rest of the time.
1096056
I did the baking soda peroxide, and yeah it isnt the best tasting stuff but i did see results, I reccomend doing the peroxide/baking soda first then use your regular toothpaste, it helps get the nasty taste out and leaves your mouth minty fresh!
540520
bleaching/whitening does no damage/corrosion to enamel...  that is a common misconception.  the only downside of bleaching for some people is sensitivity in the teeth and gums.  this sensitivity is only temporary and if you want whiter teeth, you'll have to deal with a little discomfort along the way.  \n\nwhitening toothpastes are a gimmick!!  if you read the small print on some of the commercials, you'll see that their claims are made after using the paste for 6 months or longer.  whitening pastes and tartar control pastes have a higher particle size.  these pastes are abrasive and while they remove stains very well, they also remove your enamel (in microscopic amounts along the way).  if your technique is poor when using such pastes, you can do more harm than good.  you may create v-shaped notches in your teeth near the gums and also cause gingival recession.  remember to use a soft brush and gentle, circular motions.\n\nso, bleach until your desired shade is reached--there's no harm as long as you follow all of your dentist's/manufacturer's instructions.
1176564
If you are wanting a low cost way of whitening your teeth try this 2-3 times a week....\n1st- brush your teeth with salt. moisten your toothbrush and put salt in your hand and dab your toothbrush into it. brush your teeth very well.\n2nd- get rid of any excess fluid in your mouth, but don't spit out the salt.\n3rd- gargle with hydrogen peroxide for about 1-2 min.\nLastly- after rinsing your toothbrush well, brush your teeth with regular toothpaste.\n\nA dentist gave me this tip and it really works!
584039
This is what my Dentist told me, If you want to whiten your teeth, buy a whitening toothpaste, if you want to control tarter get a tarter controlling toopaste, and so on.. But dont buy one of those all in one toothpastes because they have so little of each ingredient that it don't work as well as it is suppose to!\n\nCrest Strips are good! Get yourself a whitening toothpaste and Use it with the Listerene Whitening pre-brush Mouth wash! You can see the difference the first time!
260889
This is going to sound weird, but toothpaste! I know it sounds weird but the baking soda and the mint really do open the pores.
666830
That baking soda toothpaste is the best one.  (Arm&hammers)  Also, be sure to floss and use listerine mouthwash before brushing twice a day at least.  You could use just regular baking soda too instead of toothpaste once a day.  Just baking soda is supposed to be great for your tooth enamel.  It sounds weird, but I've tried it and still do it. No problems with my teeth, and always get compliments from my dentist.:)  Try it.
591552
The crest whitening products work great. I use Crest whitening toothpaste and it's made a difference.
1138665
mix baking soda and peroxide {like a paste} it doesn't taste good but it works. it is also good for your gums. you have to keep using it and to get rid of the bad taste after you brush rinse with mouth wash.
534234
Crest white strips work just as good as professional whitening.  Some people will never have white teeth.  People that have thin enamel, smoke, and even drink soft drinks, coffee, or tea will probably not have extremely white teeth.  Those substances stain teeth fast.  You have to use white strips twice a day for 1 or 2 weeks depending on the strength you buy.  They will get the same effect you just have to wait longer.  I tried it in the Dental program before they were put on the market and they are great!  You will not really be able to see a lot of results but others will notice it a nd you will get a lot of comments.  if you insist on smoking and drinking dark drinks you might consider using a whitening toothpaste so that you dont loose anything that you have gained by the strips.  You can also gargle in peroxide.  The only other thing that I can think of is that your teeth might get sensitive--that is normal and that will go away after you stop using them.  You can use two boxes back to back but if your teeth are not white after that they will never be extremely white and that is just in the make up of your teeth
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!
847502
Many teeth whitening processes involve rubbing your teeth with abrasive materials, but you want to avoid rubbing them too much, because if you rub off the top layer of your teeth, the tooth enamel, your dentine layer will be exposed. \nThis is harmful to your teeth as well as making your teeth look greyish. Use caution and a soft bristle brush with home-made teeth whitening attempts. \n\n1. Lemon Juice (either from a bottle or from a lemon) mixed with a bit of table salt. In a small cup, mix the cupful of lemon juice with two to three very small spoonfuls of salt. Dip your toothbrush in and gently rub. Rinse mouth with water. Do not apply salt directly to the brush. Do this once every second day for up to 5 times. After doing this, brush your teeth with toothpaste – acids can actually cause tooth staining if left on the teeth.\n\n2. Try fruit! Rub a strawberry on your front teeth before brushing your teeth with regular or whitening toothpaste.\n\n3. Baking soda. Mix fresh baking soda with some cold water and gently rub teeth with the mixture. Use the flat part of your finger or a soft bristle toothbrush dipped into the baking soda to apply the baking soda to your front teeth. Do not rub vigorously or with a hard toothbrush. Let the baking soda sit for a couple of minutes, rubbing gently. Rinse mouth with clean water.\n\n4. Or, try vinegar! Dip a soft toothbrush in vinegar and brush gently. Avoid excessive vinegar on your gums, the acid can make your gums feel unpleasant. Rinse mouth with water after. To get between the teeth, try dipping your floss in vinegar before flossing.\n\n5. Make a paste of vinegar with baking soda. Mix vinegar with baking soda and apply the paste to your front teeth with your finger, rubbing gently using up and down motions.  Rinse mouth with water. While rinsing, force water between teeth by closing teeth and pouring water into your mouth.\n\n6. Some people try brushing or even rinsing their teeth with hydrogen peroxide. This may whiten your teeth, but the peroxide can damage your gums and the lining of your mouth. Also, keep in mind that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the bottles you can buy, and in the whitening agents you can buy, is different. If you do choose to do this, dab the peroxide on a tiny bit at a time with a cotton swab, to prevent any peroxide from touching your gums.\n\nAn important thing to remember with these home remedies for teeth whitening methods is to be patient. It will take time to remove the stains on the teeth, and it may take several weeks to see results. Don’t forget to continue your normal teeth and mouth cleaning regimen as well.
475180
crest white strips and Listerine whitening mouthwash in between..don't get carried away with whitening though, the peroxide can damage your enamel
534880
I would not use anything abrasive as this can wear down the enamel on your teeth and sensitise them. I don't know if this brand of toothpaste is sold where you live? It's called Colgate. They have some new formulations including one called Colgate Total plus Whitening. If you can get hold of that toothpaste do; it's GREAT!!! \n\nI am 40 and my teeth are snowy white. People assume I have had them whitened but I haven't. I used to drink tea and red wine and smoke almost incessantly (the first and the last - not the wine drinking!) and I had quite a few stains that the hygienist could not get rid of. But this toothpaste did - and fast! :)\n\nI recommend it to everyone. I also recommend that you get yourself a rechargeable, electric toothbrush, preferably one made by Braun. If you use both these products and brush your teeth twice a day (and floss at least once a day), you will have a great smile in no time.