[ChihuahuaMomma]

I've heard that if you mix baking soda and something else that it'll whiten your teeth. Is this true? If not, is there a homemade teeth whitner?

[ISneezeFunny]

Usually, a little bit of baking soda while brushing does wonders.

However, an affordable method is using pre-brushing rinse, made by crest. I think it's less than $10, and you rinse for 30 seconds before brushing your teeth.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Oh yeah, I've used that stuff for ages! I'm a smoking, tea-drinking, coffee drinking fool. So something is always needed!

P.S. Thought you were going to bed...

[ISneezeFunny]

I figured I'd keep you company... here... teehee

[ChihuahuaMomma]

... and on my other question, geez, stop stalking me ISF...

[ISneezeFunny]

Can't help it. Tee hee

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Haha, I'm thinking of getting that brush on 5 minute stuff. Blugh, but I wanted to know of household stuff first cause money's kind of tight these days. Blah.

[ISneezeFunny]

As I said, baking soda does wonders. I've tried it before, but the key is diligence.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Wouldn't that be the equivalent of a baking soda tooth paste?

[flossie]

Baking soda can be abrasive. Be careful if you are using it every day. Crest has a toothpaste called "Vivid White" it has stain removers and stain inhibitors in it. You really should start using it right after you have your professional cleaning to keep your pearlies nice and white.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

That's the thing. They're not white, I want a quick way to whiten my teeth.

[nikosmom]

There's no real "quick" way to whiten your teeth at home. If you're looking for a cheap way out, just try a whitening toothpaste. Colgate used to have several with baking soda (smoother formula than baking soda out of the box) & peroxide. Those are pretty safe but they're not going to give you the dazzling results you're hoping for. I know it sounds silly, but even drinking your teas/coffees/colas through a straw can help lessen staining.

The home whitening kits aren't very expensive and I hear they are pretty effective. Plus they won't make your teeth AS sensitive which tends to happen with whitening products.

[HistorianChick]

I've used straight baking soda since I was a kid. Every few weeks or so, I get out the baking soda and brush the pearly whites. Helps with the coffee :)

[ChihuahuaMomma]

There's no real "quick" way to whiten your teeth at home. If you're looking for a cheap way out, just try a whitening toothpaste. Colgate used to have several with baking soda (smoother formula than baking soda out of the box) & peroxide. Those are pretty safe but they're not going to give you the dazzling results you're hoping for. I know it sounds silly, but even drinking your teas/coffees/colas through a straw can help lessen staining.

The home whitening kits aren't very expensive and I hear they are pretty effective. Plus they won't make your teeth AS sensitive which tends to happen with whitening products.

I use Arm and Hammer Whitening paste. And I do drink from straws. I was just thinking of something that would work before having to buy the at-home-whitening-kits.

[HistorianChick]

Like I said before, baking soda once in a while. Wet your toothbrush and use the soda. I use it probably every other week or so. No need to buy the expensive kits.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

I want quick results.

[nikosmom]

Yeah once in a while and you should be fine. Try it for a while and see if you get any results before you buy the at-home kits. Can't hurt; just don't overdo it! Just remember you won't see instant results.

Take a "before" picture and that way you can gauge your results.

[HistorianChick]

Have you tried baking soda?? I'm not saying it will take weeks for it to work. I just use it every few weeks.

It is an instant whitener. Try it. If that doesn't work, someone will have a different solution. But at least try and take the advice we've given.