Over the counter tooth whitening??

[becks]

So, with the purchase of the house, having my dentist bleach my teeth is no longer in the budget, because $$$$$!!! I called and cancelled the appointment and asked if they had any recommendations on OTC products, and was told that... yes, Crest white strips, but better if I could find something without peroxide and/or baking soda.

 

Has anyone used any OTC products? Did you find any problems (sensitivity) because of the peroxide? What are your thoughts? Did it work? Was it good enough for photos? How long do they last, etc.?

 

TIA!!

[lucy106]

Holy crap you read my mind! I heard a commercial this morning for this and thought I would post the same thing. Cant wait to hear everyones experiences.

[JennyK]

I think it's a bridal ESP thing bc yesterday I found an ad for teeth whitening at a destist's office and I tried convincing the FI to do it with me. But he told me to try the OTC ones first..

[SunBride]

I've used crest white strips. I find them so uncomfortable to use, the strips move and the paste gets everywhere and you can't swallow so my whole mouth gets to be a bit huge slobbery mess! hehe. I've heard others have less problem (maybe my mouth just creates more saliva when I don't swallow). I just can't believe how in the commercial they are like "wear them in the shower, wear them in the car, where them at work" yeah right! I can't even talk my mouth is so full of saliva, and once in a while I have to stick a kleenex in there to absorb it (if I spit the strips will come right out) hehe

 

They make a version now that you only have to wear for I think like 5 minutes instead of 30.

 

They do cause tooth sensitivity for me. It's the worst when I use 2 strips one after another (you have to use 2 a day, and you can do it at two seperate times, or you can do it one after another according to the package).

 

The results are good, I don't notice an enormous difference because my teeth are already very white but my mom used to have coffee stained teeth and now she has the whitest teeth of anyone I know, just from using the white strips (she's been using one box every 6 months for about 5 years).

 

I would definitely recommend you give them a try and see what you think. Overall I'm not totally happy but I would continue to use them.

[Maura]

let me tell you all i have tried EVERY product available!!!!!!

 

and the only one that i recommend to people is the GoSmile system. you can get it at sephora. it's a bit pricey, but nowhere near as pricey as pro whitening (i spent about $120 for the starter kit, the refill ampoules are about $29)

 

sephora is running a special right now on it for $99 Sephora: GoSMILE Summer Smile Kit ($140 Value): Tooth Care

 

i have extremely extremely sensitive teeth, and this is the only OTC whitener system that doesnt kill me. i only get sensitive after like the 5th day. feel free to ask me questions - im super busy at work today but will be in and out of the forum when i get some free moments.

[boscobel]

I've tried a few OTC things, but nothing has gotten my teeth noticabley whiter. Perhaps they are already white, I don't know.

 

I have pretty sensitive teeth and occasionally would experince slight sensitivities after using. One thing even turned my gums white! I forget which brand, but they were the ones that you are supposed to let dissolve on their own in your mouth. I DO NOT recommend them, they were so gross that we threw them away rather then finish them. I use the crest white strips now, butt haven't seen a big improvement.

[TATrisha]

Here are my experiences:

I have used Crest white strips... basically every type they make. I've never heard that I'm not supposed to swallow... and I do quite regularly... I hope I'm not going to die!

Anyways, they worked amazingly! It doesn't matter which type I get (the expensive or the cheapest) they all have th same results. I typically only have to use half a box and my teeth are SO white that if I used the other half I'd end up looking like a Friend's episode! So that works out spiffy because my DH uses the other half of the box!

My teeth do get sensitive... but it's typically only when I do two right after each other. Then my teeth hurt really bad!

 

Good luck!

[lucy106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tlseege I typically only have to use half a box and my teeth are SO white that if I used the other half I'd end up looking like a Friend's episode! Good luck!

HAHA that episode was hilarious!!!! Thanks for the input!

[SunBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tlseege never heard that I'm not supposed to swallow... and I do quite regularly... I hope I'm not going to die!

Hum, I always thought I wasn't suppose to, assumed I read it on the package the first time I tried them (years ago). I just get so much of the whitening stuff mixing in with my saliva that it would seem bad to swallow those chemicals (I mean you're not even suppose to swallow regular toothpaste - this I know is on the package). Will have to check the package to see if I made that up.

[Jacqueline]

crest white stripes baby! i used them years ago, they worked and just after i got my braces off used them again. ill never pay for professional whitening.