ask: Has anyone had their teeth professionally whitened at the dentist's office?

Can't vouch for the pain. Before you head to the dentist you may want to read this article from NPR.org on teeth whitening to find out if one of those bleaching systems is for you.

Here's an excerpt ...

"Chemist Lee Hansen, a professor emeritus at Brigham Young University, explains there was an assumption that heat from the light served as a catalyst to decompose the bleaching gel.

"That's the theory behind it," says Hansen. But he found the lights don't generate enough heat or give off enough UV light to accelerate the chemical reaction."

How soon are you planning on going in?

I have finished my orthodontic treatments in about a year. That's the plan. I don't even know whether I'll need it or not but I have heard a lot of people have done it after all the work on their teeth has been completed.

Thank you for that great article!

I would try the at-home teeth whitening products first! (Talk with your dentist about the safety-factor, however...just because they are OTC does not mean they are "safe").

I had braces for 5 years of my life, and have always been a little, tiny-bit self-conscious of my slightly off-color teeth. I have tried a few at-home teeth whitening products, and have been happy with the results!

My husband actually whitens his teeth from a custom-fitted tray that he got from his dentist. This is 100% painless, and may be another option for you. Perhaps safer and more effective than the OTC products (but also more expensive).

I once tried what it sounds like Alison's husband does -- a custom-fitted tray that I wore for a couple of hours at night until my teeth turned a nice pearly white. It was three or four years ago and I was very happy with the result. I love to drink tea, so I tend to get staining. Some time I'll probably do the teeth whitening again.

Kristin Davis
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com

I am a Dental Hygienist. Here is what I recommend to my patients.
The home flouride treatments may be all you need to achieve the results you desire ie: white strips,trays. The active ingredient is the carbamide peroxide. The higher the percentage is stronger.However,bleaching can cause sensitivity. You may want to use a sensodyne product a few days prior and during the process.Advil or Tylenol also helps if pain is experienced due to recession areas, sensitive tissue etc. Rembrandt makes a good whitening toothpaste which is kind to your mouth.
White fillings or crowns WILL NOT bleach.