I always ask my friends list everything...

[wesleysgirl]

Do those tooth whitening products (the ones you can do at home, not professional ones) actually work? Can anyone share their experiences with them?

Comments

[reginagiraffe]

Yes, they do. I got the Crest strips and only used a few and definitely noticed a difference.

They make your teeth hurt when they're on, kind of a stinging ache, especially for the first few minutes. Afaik, this is normal. Be sure to follow the directions. One of the side benefits is they also strip away some of the tartar.

Savings tip: You can almost always find a coupon for them. There's the cheap Crest strips and the expensive Crest strips (IIRC, they were $15 vs. $30). You can often find a $10 coupon for the expensive ones and a $5 one for the cheap ones, but if you go to Target and buy the cheap ones, the expensive coupon will work, so you can get them for like $5. (My $ amounts are not exact.)

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

I seem to remember Consumer Reports saying they do work if you follow the directions, but i can't say, personally.

[viciouswishes.livejournal.com]

I recommend brushing your teeth with baking soda once a week. You leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing it off. It does wonders over time and is less damaging and cheaper than bleaching agents. I say that as a tea drinker.

I saw a video of someone once cutting a strawberry in half and covering the flat surface with baking soda and using it like a toothbrush to cut the baking soda flavor.

[wesleysgirl.livejournal.com]

LOL, that's really funny about the strawberry. As I was reading I thought you were going to say that the baking soda made the strawberry turn white! I have brushed with baking soda in the past (when we were out of toothpaste, ha ha) and didn't realize that it would help whiten teeth. I'd certainly prefer using it to chemicals if it works!

[viciouswishes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, one of the reasons I started using it is because it's not harsh chemicals & I have a fake tooth, so my teeth can never been #FFFFFF white as my fake tooth would look weird. But it does a good job at getting off those icky stains.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I've used the Crest ones and yes, they work. They do tend to slip around a bit though but eh, for one week, twice a day, I can take it. Never hurt me or affected my teeth/gums.

[varina8.livejournal.com]

I used the Crest strips kit and had good luck with them. I've read advice not to use them too often as you can strip the enamel off your teeth and leave them sensitive.

[wackinessensues.livejournal.com]

This is the one I use: http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Tooth-Whitening/5-Minute-Bleach-Whitening-Gel/ID=prod369695-product?V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku369696 and yes, if definitely works.

I used to have a bug yellow stain on my front tooth from my braces, and I just thought I would have to live with this. I used the Plus White for a few weeks...gone after ten years of being there. Now I use it every couple days while I'm in the shower and my teeth have never looked whiter.

Just make sure you don't leave it on for too long because it will make your teeth sensitive. 10-15 minutes at a time is plenty.