Teeth whitening....

**mommy4ever** · 08-14-2008, 01:26 AM

Not sure this is quite the right place, but maybe it is.

After a 3 year break from the dentist,(although I worked as a dental assistant, I still don't like going), I finally broke down and went to the dentist. I had my bitewings taken, checkup, cleaning and polish. no cavities, dentist said teeth look great, keep up the good work. We discussed a tooth that is bothering me. Teeth should have contact iwth eachother, so that food isn't easily lodged there, which prevents irritation to the gums. This is a tooth I broke while pregnant, the joys of hormones for me means brittle teeth. So it's been fixed, and fixed again, and again. And it still bothers me. He said he'd do a new filling or a crown, my choice. Initially I said filling as it's cheaper, however I have 100% coverage for crowns, to a max of $1400 a year, so we decided to do the crown instead.

So to the point. I *used* to have nice white teeth, once I got pregnant, my teeth yellowed. I don't smoke, don't drink coffee and have maybe 3 cups of tea in a month. I don't drink pop, though I do have a little of ice tea. I've seen what in office bleaching can do. It's amazing.

I want WHITE TEETH! Especially with having the crown done, I need to decide now, as they match to the color of your teeth, and crowns won't bleach..lol.

It's expensive. $500 to get done. I have a $200 coupon off since I'm a new patient. Now my birthday is coming. MIL usually gives me cash, $150. I have $100 pin money, and dh usually slips some extra cash to me for a spa day. So... I'm thinking I want to use the case to whiten my teeth.

It's a little vanity. BUt I do take excellent care of my teeth. No cavities since...ummmm.... since ds was 4, and he's 14. I've had teeth break while pregnant, and fillings that require replacing, but all maintenance.

But I feel guilty for considering it. The last 2 years, I bought winter tires for our vehicles with my b'day money...lol. This is ok, right??? To do my teeth?

**missmanny** · 08-14-2008, 01:42 AM

Of course it is ok to whiten your teath, given that you can do it pretty much with out having to break your budget.

It's sad when you use your birthday money every year to buy household items, I say this year splurge and get something that you want.

I say Go for it and let me know if it works, I might be right behind you.

**ConnieD** · 08-14-2008, 07:32 AM

Me too........I say GO FOR IT!!
You have a great discount and can use your bday money. Use it for yourself this year. It will make you feel better and you're not taking money that's supposed to be used for bills.

Enjoy your white teeth!!

**elphaba** · 08-14-2008, 07:51 AM

I say do it!! It's important to do something positive for yourself every now and then! If this is going to make you smile more....then how can that be wrong????
~Tamara~

**Shoshana** · 08-14-2008, 08:08 AM

I'm with the others! Its important to you ---

**PrairieRose** · 08-14-2008, 08:37 AM

If I could get it done for as little out of pocket as you're talking I'd jump on it myself. Go! Have it done, enjoy it!

**leezza** · 08-14-2008, 10:22 AM

You are not vain.......

Treat yourself for a change, taking care of your teeth will last you a lifetime.

Enjoy your beautiful smile : )

leezza

**peanut** · 08-14-2008, 10:44 AM

I think this is a great way to spend your birthday money...on you. Just be sure Mama is actually going to give you some cash this year. She might just surprise you with something else...! So, as long as you have the cash in hand, I'd say do it. We need to do things that make us feel good about ourselves sometimes.

Jean

**i.m.cheap** · 08-14-2008, 12:17 PM

So funny, I am sitting here with Crest "Whitening strips" on my teeth as I read this. I would LOVE to have professional teeth whitening. Go for it!

**mommy4ever** · 08-14-2008, 12:18 PM

Thanks!

I've done the whitening strips, they do work, but I am not consistent with doing it..lol.

The office would be a 2 hour appointment, and DONE.

**annymoll** · 08-14-2008, 12:31 PM

I love white,healthy teeth, and they are always one of the first things I notice. If mine catch the sun, they will blind .Feeling good is an investment.It makes smiling fun. Go for it!!!!!!!

**Squirt** · 08-14-2008, 12:55 PM

Plain old peroxide held in your mouth for 1 minute will whiten your teeth much more than whitestrips will. You have to spit it out 2 or 3 times as it will keep bubbling in your mouth, but it sure is cheap.

You can do it for a week or two and then forget about it for months.

**beks37** · 08-14-2008, 02:11 PM

I say go for it. I have been thinking about this also. I have tried the whitening strips and toothpaste, but my teeth are so sensitive that it hurt them when I breathed. You have taken good care of your teeth and you deserve it.

**nodmicks** · 08-14-2008, 08:55 PM

Of course it is ok! I have an appt to get mine done. Now here is vanity for you~ they said I am the lightest natural teeth go. I want like you see on tv! It is 150 here to do the trays and 300 for the zoom. The girls that work there all said they did the trays so that is what I decided to do. I figured their is a reason the staff chose custom trays over zoom

The dentist showed me fake teeth with my shade and the 2 higher shades you can only get with their type of bleaching. I have tried the white strips and as he said they can not life past the natural teeth shade.

Sure 150 is a lot but it is something I have wanted forever and darn it there is no shame in treating yourself once in a while even if dh thinks I'm nuts. I told him I'll save $ on wine and coffee! LOL

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-14-2008, 10:09 PM

I whiten my teeth at home with those whitening kits. I hate the dentist with a passion and refuse to go to one. They always want to poke my gums with tons of novacaine just to do one side of it for a cleaning. I hate needles in that area. It makes me want to pass out.

I say if you want to, go ahead. I'd just rather do mine at home. I did them at home and they came out marvelously. I also don't have the best teeth on the planet but then again, they aren't the worst.