Crest Whitestrips: How Effective Are They?

There seems to be an endless fascination today with having that "celebrity smile." We'd all like to have those perfectly straight pearly whites we see in television and movies, but most of us realize it comes with a hefty price tag. Dental offices offer patients the option of veneers and even teeth bleaching to achieve that desirable white glow, but who can afford that? Recently though, there's arisen a new, more affordable alternative in the form of in-home teeth whitening kits. The most notable and best known being the Crest Whitestrips Dental Whitening System.

The box includes 56 flexible strips that are applied directly to the upper and lower teeth. There is a clear gel coating the inside of each strip that contain carbamide peroxide (a form of hydrogen peroxide, which is used in dental offices). Before applying, make sure you have at least 30 minutes to spare before using the strips. When applied, the strips mold to the shape of your teeth and stay securely in position. It is suggested that you use the strips for an hour a day for maximum results, which means using 4 strips twice a day to achieve results quicker. I find that doing it when I wake up and before I go to bed is the best time to apply them.

After a period of two weeks, I will say that I've noticed dramatic results. The first few times I used them, I noticed a slight, temporary whitening, but the intensity seemed to diminish by the time I used the strips for the second time in the day. However, sticking with a routine over a two-week period has yielded very promising results. I've noticed the shade of my teeth are definitely whiter than they've ever been.

The only problems I experienced while using them were that the chemical seems to "burn" the gums if left on too long. Nothing major, but my gums became somewhat irritated if too much of the strip was touching them. I was able to avoid this by placing the strip a bit lower than I normally would so that it just covers the teeth, and that usually seems to do the trick. Also, the strips only cover the first 5 or 6 teeth in the front, so the back of your teeth will, of course, not be as white. This is a trivial detail though, considering people rarely see your back teeth anyway.

Overall I would say that I am very satisfied with this product. Just as anything, if you stick to it, you will see results. Don't get discouraged if you don't see the results immediately. Over time you should see the makings of that celebrity glow.