Has anyone used any of the OTC procucts out there for teeth whitening?  I would like to try, but I don't know which brand/type works the best, or what kind of actual results I would get.  I've been leaning most toward using Crest White Strips, I'm not totally sure why, maybe just because they advertise the most and I've been brainwashed!  Thanks in advance for any input!

Hello Maggie,
I tried a whitening gel from Rembrandt for my wedding back in July. It had pretty good results but they made my gums temporarily (15 mins) bleached and sensitive. My sister tried the Whitestrips and her smile was noticeably white. I'm not sure how long it lasted because I left to the other side of the country shortly after. I am curious how long it lasts. I'll ask her when she gets back from El Salvador in two weeks.

Joanne

Hello again, Maggie

Yes, I'm familiar with MANY OTC tooth whitening products.  As a night shift nurse, my coffee cup has been permanently affixed to my left hand (to allow my right hand the freedom to chart on my residents) ha ha

After trying almost all whitening pastes, gels, brushed coatings, gel-filled trays, strips........

I found the toothpastes too abrasive, and didn't like the way they adversely affected my gums...

The brush on gel - sounding good in theory - is inconvenient and does tend to leave white marks/uneven bleaching.

The gel filled trays are just yucky.  You drool just like you did as a kid when sitting in the dental chair with your mouth filled with fluoride - and if you keep your lips closed, indigestion soon follows.

My favorite method - and the longest lasting: the Crest Premium white strips.  The regular strips are ok - but take MUCH longer - and in the long run - 3 boxes of the regular strips is more expensive than the one (very pricey) box of the premium.  I have also found them harder to come by in the stores - the shelf often has an empty spot where the Premium strips should be - I guess it is true testiment to their effectiveness.  One box, used as directed (though sometimes I only do once per day - not having the time or memory to do twice) - gives a genuine change - brighter than a trip to the dentist - and lasts 2-3 months with daily coffee consumption.  (In fact I just purchased a new box this afternoon - the last one I bought was before my vacation in July)  The down side - for the first several days my teeth experience sensitivity - and I found the Crest for sensitive teeth ideal for those days - it treats them gently and anaesthetically until they can tolerate the process.  I spoke at length with my dentist, who recomended them - and even gives the regular strips out as "samples" to allow clients to try them out free of charge.

ps... my sister's husband is giving her ZOOM whitening of her teeth for her birthday present this year - in 2 weeks - He had his done 2 years ago - and I can still see his teeth if he smiles in a dark room... I think the zoom process - though OBVIOUSLY effective - might just be one step too far... Though with my sister's fair skin, perhaps it won't be as shocking as it is against my brother in law's Italian skin.  8)

hope this helps!
nightowl

Just a little update, began using Crest whitestrips (premium plus), very easy to use...much easier than the brush-on junk, and so far very pleased with the results.  Just a little problem with tooth-sensitivity, not much,though.  Otherwise, I have not been quite so self-conscious of having coffee-teeth!  Anyone else use these?

hey maggie

baking soda with peroxide works good for me. im a compulsive coffee drinker too.  its soooooo yummy especially when u drink coffee while reading the newspaper. anyways just mix baking soda with peroxide and a hard bristle toothbrush. it gets the job done.

I have tried using the baking soda & peroxide combo, but it was not very effective on my teeth as a whitening agent alone.  However, it is a good way to keep up after doing the whitening and in between strip uses.  It's pretty easy, I use them in the mornings before work.  Before I get into the shower I just quick brush over my teeth w/o toothpaste (they recommend not brushing until after using the strips), put an upper & lower strip on, do my showering and by the time I'm done they're ready to come off.  I just feel better about smiling...which I love to do, by the way!    I love to smile almost as much as I love drinking my coffee while reading new LL posts!

What is ZOOM?  Is that like Bright Smile? With a laser?

OK, so here's a product to NOT try...Listerine Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse!  Both my husband and I tried it, and we both had the same results - ouch!  It irritated the inside of our mouths so bad that we could hardly even eat that night, and it actually caused skin shedding on the inside of his mouth - gross , I know, but that's what happened.  It took about three days until our mouths felt norman again!  I've got a full bottle sitting there, I really think I may write them a letter or something.  I'm not usually that kind of person, but it almost makes me wonder if something was wrong with it.  I'd be happy just to have my money refunded and never use it again!  So, take my heed my people!