So, do whitening strips actually work?

Anyone here actually used any before and had success? I'm considering getting some but I don't know if they truly work as shown in commercials.

Yeah they do, i got a friend that uses them and i can notice a difference. I keep forgetting to get some for myself actually, thanks for reminding me.KiIIyou

Better just to get an appointment at a dentist to get your teeth cleaned.

I used them and yeah, I saw a difference. :)

Yeah. I'm actually using the Crest ones right now and it's only been a week, but I notice a huge difference. My teeth used to be really yellow, which is what prompted me to buy them. Now they don't look yellow at all, and I haven't even used half of the box yet. But I should mention that I keep them on for at least an hour (the box says to only keep them on for 30 minutes at a time). I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I want to get my money's worth. The **** isn't cheap. But then again, $20 is a small price to pay for something that actually makes me want to smile, instead of hide my teeth.

If you're considering buying them, I'd suggest getting these from Amazon. They're about half as expensive at Amazon then at Wal-Mart, and they cling to your teeth pretty well.

Yeah. I'm actually using the Crest ones right now and it's only been a week, but I notice a huge difference. My teeth used to be really yellow, which is what prompted me to buy them. Now they don't look yellow at all, and I haven't even used half of the box yet. But I should mention that I keep them on for at least an hour (the box says to only keep them on for 30 minutes at a time). I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I want to get my money's worth. The **** isn't cheap. But then again, $20 is a small price to pay for something that actually makes me want to smile, instead of hide my teeth.

If you're considering buying them, I'd suggest getting these from Amazon. They're about half as expensive at Amazon then at Wal-Mart, and they cling to your teeth pretty well.

EolGul2

Yeah, I've also used them, the Crest ones. They worked really well. I've wanted to get some more actually. But, yeah, if you wanna whiten up your teeth, this is the right way to go.

[QUOTE="EolGul2"]

Yeah. I'm actually using the Crest ones right now and it's only been a week, but I notice a huge difference. My teeth used to be really yellow, which is what prompted me to buy them. Now they don't look yellow at all, and I haven't even used half of the box yet. But I should mention that I keep them on for at least an hour (the box says to only keep them on for 30 minutes at a time). I'm not sure if that makes a difference, but I want to get my money's worth. The **** isn't cheap. But then again, $20 is a small price to pay for something that actually makes me want to smile, instead of hide my teeth.

If you're considering buying them, I'd suggest getting these from Amazon. They're about half as expensive at Amazon then at Wal-Mart, and they cling to your teeth pretty well.

ice144

Yes.

I've actually used them several times and discussed it with my dentist back when I worked at a dental office, so I'll try and give some advice (although I'm by no means an expert of any sort or am trying to be):

• For whitening strips to be fully effective you have to be a good candidate for them. This means no chipped/broken teeth, no braces, fairly straight teeth, no crowns or bridges, etc. Keep in mind they only work for your front teeth as well.
• Personally, they've only whitened my teeth by one of two shades and eventually fade away after so many months. Don't expect them to work wonders, they are still over the counter after all (therefore the concentration of whitening agent isn't as strong as what would normally be used if done professionally).
• A side effect of whitening strips is sensitivity. The newer kinds that they make attempt to reduce it, along with making themselves much easier to apply, but it can still cause slight pain. Just reduce the frequency you use them if this becomes a common occurrence.
• You can consistently use whitening strips to maintain their effect, but at that point you have to consider whether it might be cheaper to just go ahead and get it professionaly (with longer-lasting effects) if you're going to make it a regular sort of thing.

That's about it, I hope I was somewhat helpful :P

I've actually used them several times and discussed it with my dentist back when I worked at a dental office, so I'll try and give some advice (although I'm by no means an expert of any sort or am trying to be):

• For whitening strips to be fully effective you have to be a good candidate for them. This means no chipped/broken teeth, no braces, fairly straight teeth, no crowns or bridges, etc. Keep in mind they only work for your front teeth as well.
• Personally, they've only whitened my teeth by one of two shades and eventually fade away after so many months. Don't expect them to work wonders, they are still over the counter after all (therefore the concentration of whitening agent isn't as strong as what would normally be used if done professionally).
• A side effect of whitening strips is sensitivity. The newer kinds that they make attempt to reduce it, along with making themselves much easier to apply, but it can still cause slight pain. Just reduce the frequency you use them if this becomes a common occurrence.
• You can consistently use whitening strips to maintain their effect, but at that point you have to consider whether it might be cheaper to just go ahead and get it professionaly (with longer-lasting effects) if you're going to make it a regular sort of thing.

That's about it, I hope I was somewhat helpful :P

Suzy_Q_Kazoo

Would you personally recommend it? Was the fading away of your white teeth after a few months a result of poor brushing or does the whitening wear off after time?ice144

It wears off over time, but mind you gradually rather than immediately. I'd doubt it'd be due to my brushing as I brush quite often and for a long time. It only whitens your enamel by a few shades. If you keep using it then your teeth will obviously retain that whiteness for a longer amount of time, but like I said at that point the cost starts adding up and it might be cheaper to just get it professionally done.

I'd suggest that you just buy the cheapest box of the Crest strips they have available and try using it yourself, they're certainly not going to make your teeth more yellow and all you have from there is to go up (whiter). Then you can make the judgement of whether you'd like to upgrade to a newer version or not.

[QUOTE="ice144"] Would you personally recommend it? Was the fading away of your white teeth after a few months a result of poor brushing or does the whitening wear off after time?Suzy_Q_Kazoo

It wears off over time, but mind you gradually rather than immediately. I'd doubt it'd be due to my brushing as I brush quite often and for a long time. It only whitens your enamel by a few shades. If you keep using it then your teeth will obviously retain that whiteness for a longer amount of time, but like I said at that point the cost starts adding up and it might be cheaper to just get it professionally done.

I'd suggest that you just buy the cheapest box of the Crest strips they have available and try using it yourself, they're certainly not going to make your teeth more yellow and all you have from there is to go up (whiter). Then you can make the judgement of whether you'd like to upgrade to a newer version or not.

I don't think it wears off. I think that your teeth just get stained again. If you bleach a white shirt but it's stained again next year, it's not because the bleach wore off, it's because you got the shirt dirty.

I don't think it wears off. I think that your teeth just get stained again. If you bleach a white shirt but it's stained again next year, it's not because the bleach wore off, it's because you got the shirt dirty.

EolGul2

[QUOTE="EolGul2"]I don't think it wears off. I think that your teeth just get stained again. If you bleach a white shirt but it's stained again next year, it's not because the bleach wore off, it's because you got the shirt dirty.

Suzy_Q_Kazoo

You're probably right. But I love my black tea and imperial stouts, so my teeth were probably doomed anyway. I bet I'll be buying another box of whitestrips next year. I don't want yellow teeth again. :shock:

From what I understand only the Crest ones do. I've used the Crest ones, and they're great.

Also, to ice144, I wouldn't get the cheapest ones. I'd get the advance seal. My brother bought the original (I think) whitestrips several years ago and had some leftover. I tried them out, but they didn't stick very well, and slid on my teeth, so I gave up on them after a couple tries. The advance seal clings to your teeth much, much better.

They do work. I used these in July and they whitened my teeth quite a bit. These:

You're probably right. But I love my black tea and imperial stouts, so my teeth were probably doomed anyway. I bet I'll be buying another box of whitestrips next year. I don't want yellow teeth again. :shock:

EolGul2