Teeth whitening products that work?

[2binak]

I drink tea all day long and my teeth are starting to show it I'm using Arm & Hammer Teeth Whitening Booster, but I'm not seeing great results. What teeth whitening product (aside from professional teeth whitening) have you found that works well?

 

[WriteDisney]

I really like Crest Whitestrips Premium (Consumer Reports claims that they are one of the best). They work really well (but there pricey). I use them every 6 months or so and I usually only use half a box. My teeth are very sensitive so I can only take so much of the whitening before it starts to hurt, but these work wonders. I also use the pre-brush Listerine Whitening all the time and that never hurts my teeth (and I use straws to try and keep my teeth from getting stained).

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[*BTMRR*]

Ditto the Crest Whitestrips. I've used the Classic which cost less than the Premium but take longer to work. I was actually really, really amazed by my results the first time I used them. I got lots of compliments even from strangers. I used them again recently and had the same great results.
They do give me some temporary sensitivity. Also be aware that they don't work on dental work or on teeth that are permanently discolored (like if you have yellowed teeth because your mom used certain medications when you were in utero).

 

[IDoDis]

Yep, Crest Whitestrips do work. I just bought a new tube of Crest Tartar Control toothpaste and there's a $7 off coupon inside the box. That would save you some money.

 

[kristilew]

Another Whitestrip user here. They work so well that I now only use about half a box once a year to maintain the whitening. When I get comments on "wow, your teeth are really white!" I know I've used them maybe a little too much My dentist even thought I'd "cheated" on him and had someone else do a professional whitening on my teeth!

You can often get a coupon in your Sunday paper for like $5 off, and Walmart often sells two packs together, so I end up paying around $30 for two full treatments of the Premium.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I've used Crest Whitestrips for the past 7 years. I use them just about every two years but I've noticed ever since the very first time I can only use them about 3 days now before my teeth start hurting and becoming sensitive. This could also be due to the fact that the formula is so much stronger now then it was 7 years ago. I love them and get compliments ALL of the time on how white my teeth are.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

When I get comments on "wow, your teeth are really white!" I know I've used them maybe a little too much

Yes you can have too white of teeth! My bf has told me in the past "Ok, you've gone too far"

 

[si-am]

Has anyone used any of the whitening tray products? (I think Listerine has one?)

I've tried the Crest White Strips a few times and the dang things won't stay on my teeth. Plus, my bottom teeth are a little crooked and I can't get it to cover/touch all of them.

 

[HM]

My son is trying out the Aquafresh trays. Yesterday was day three. Wow! What a difference. He could actually stop now and I'd be fine with how his teeth look. His teeth had really yellowed over the last year. Now I see his bright smile again. I can't wait to see how they look at the end of the week.

 

[2binak]

Has anyone used any of the whitening tray products? (I think Listerine has one?)

I've tried the Crest White Strips a few times and the dang things won't stay on my teeth. Plus, my bottom teeth are a little crooked and I can't get it to cover/touch all of them.

I had the same issue with the white strips when I tried them a couple of years ago. They slipped off and the gel oozed all over my mouth. I also have a couple of crooked teeth and couldn't get them to touch all of them.

For those who have used the newer strips - do they still ooze?

My son is trying out the Aquafresh trays. Yesterday was day three. Wow! What a difference. He could actually stop now and I'd be fine with how his teeth look. His teeth had really yellowed over the last year. Now I see his bright smile again. I can't wait to see how they look at the end of the week.

Good to know these work. They sound like a good option.

 

[Imzadi]

I got professional whitening (Brite Smile) done last month. OMG! It literally is the best thing I have ever spent my money on. I drink coffee, NOT giving that up. My teeth have been yellow for over a decade. They were actually a shade that matched my skin tone (not necessarily the same color.) I couldn't afford the whitening before because I needed to have 2 teeth rebonded to match the new whitening and I couldn't afford that. Neither are covered by insurance. I was finally able to get both done.

Now, I can keep them maintained with just an over the counter hydrogen peroxide whitener now. As I said, I'm not giving up my coffee. I use the Listerine Whitening Rinse. I swish the rinse in my mouth for 30 seconds. Without spitting it out, I insert my electric toothbrush in, wet the toothbrush with the rinse, then brush. I then follow up with a Q-tip dipped in the Listerine Whitening rinse and gently rub my front teeth. (This is basically the same as the Go Smile whitener kit sold at Sephora for mega bucks. That is vials of a sweetened hydrogen peroxide rubbed onto the teeth with a cotton tip. So I make my own with just Q-tips!)

Also, it's a good idea to rub or squeegie over your teeth now and then with a piece of paper towel, a Q-tip, a tooth wipe made especially for the teeth, or even your finger. After you drink coffee, sodas or eat some types of foods, a film builds up on the teeth. Even brushing doesn't get rid of it. For those who say the Crest White Strips doesn't stay on, you probably have the film on your teeth.

When I can't get to a Q-tip right after brushing, I take my finger and literally rub my front teeth until I hear squeaking as I rub. I can actually feel them go from a slick surface to being rubbed bare. They actually look whiter after I do this. So I know an invisible yellow film was on my teeth before. Left on, that would eventually yellow my teeth again.


OP, if you've never gotten your teeth professionally whitened, do it once. Save up for it. I think everyone should have it done once in a lifetime. It makes such a difference. Our teeth yellow so gradually. There are so many more chemicals & food dyes in our foods. You don't realize how yellow they were until afterward a professional whitening. My teeth are naturally back to a white I haven't seen in decades. I can actually see the difference in the shade of my teeth which is whiter & brighter than my skin. They pop out now.

 

[chisnpeke]

My son is trying out the Aquafresh trays. Yesterday was day three. Wow! What a difference. He could actually stop now and I'd be fine with how his teeth look. His teeth had really yellowed over the last year. Now I see his bright smile again. I can't wait to see how they look at the end of the week.

I used these two years ago and they worked great. I am using them again. I had previously used the Crest Whitestrips and they hurt my teeth and slid off too easily. These are much better at staying on your teeth and for the sensitivity.

 

[GoofyBaby]

I cannot use most whitening products as my teeth are extremely sensitive, so I use Perfect Prescription Tooth Brightener. It is a calcium and magnesium powder that I use after regular brushing. Just dip a toothbrush into the powder and brush a few times a week. It really whitens my teeth and I am a heavy tea/occasional coffee drinker!