Happy 26th - complete with Yoda assuring me that I was not only a birthday girl but a Jedi Knight, and my dear friends wrapped up this month's issue of The Knot, of course. But - notice! The jaundice shade of my teeth is distracting, no? I don't neglect dental hygiene, either. I brush, I floss, I mouth-wash. Still, my teeth are in need of a pick-me-up; our engagement session is May 20th and this status really is unacceptable. Since I do not have the funds to get my teeth professionally whitened I am going to opt for an O-T-C strip system. There are so many options out there that I feel like the shelves of drug stores are lined with whitening systems. Naturally, I went on Consumer Search to at least get an idea of where to start, if not make a decision. After professional whitening regimens - starting at $300 going up to over $1,000 - Crest White Strips Premium is the highest consumer rated product (linked to review page).
Behold! Crest Premium Whitestrips:7 day System
Pros:
O-T-C availability
Inexpensive ($20-$35)
Easy to Use
Cons:
May cause tooth/gum sensitivity
Not as effective as professional whitening
May cause drooling*
*file under my personal favorite
I read over the past few months of Amazon reviews. There was only one review that said the strips didn't make any difference, I think that in the midst of the overwhelming positive response to the product this can be chalked up to misuse or simply a bad banana in the bunch. Of the 96 reviews only 10 were 1 star and the vast majority were 5 and 4 star. The points that I gathered from the positive reviews are as followed:
1. In the case that the strips don't make your teeth "white enough" it's easy to re-use the product to double the results.
2. Teeth sensitivity starts at the gums, so the best way to ensure that your discomfort is minimal is to do your best to keep the gel off of your gums.
3. The whiteness factor is proportional to how long you keep the strips on your teeth (duh), so follow the directions very carefully!
4. Although the commercials show people happily window shopping and being all nimbly-pimbly, no one recommends whitening in public, you may drool. Also, if you talk too much it can disturb the strip and you may lose adhesive quality.
OK Crest, I'm sold.
I have 20 days. I feel that this time allows for a couple of things: my teeth getting hurty so I opt for an every other day strategy over daily or I'm still not lil' miss smile bright and I want to try again, I can give my mouth a break and still have 7 days to rinse and repeat. I'm excited! Lunch time stop: Duane Reade, purchase, Crest Premium. Dang, I wish I didn't have happy hour plans so I could just dive in head first after lunch.
More on ouchy teeth and brighter smiles to follow....
