Hello beautiful muggies! I’ve had SO many of you asking how I get my teeth white (and no, I don’t get them professionally done- I spend all my money on makeup and clothes instead 
) Here’s the products I use at home to make my teeth just a lil’ brighter and whiter.
Plus White 5 Minute Whitening System
I have to say this is the best whitening system I have used IF you stay consistent with it. You won’t get neon bright teeth overnight, so be patient. I start off with using it almost every day for 2 weeks, then doing just 1-2 times a week for maintenance. It works really well and is pretty cheap! I found mine at Target but I think they stopped selling it, so I got my most recent one from Amazon.
To use: brush your teeth then rinse with the whitening rinse that comes in the kit. Dry off your teeth as much as possible, then apply a thick layer of the gel on your teeth (I just use my finger). Put the tray on and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Then brush your teeth (with no toothpaste this time), and voila! Beautiful teeth 
Price: $7.99
Where to Buy: Amazon . Select Drugstores
Crest 3D White Strips
In between my whitening treatment, I’ll also use the Crest strips as they work really well in whitening without having to use a tray. These work a bit faster and better than the Plus White system, but you have to leave these on for 2 hours (I’m so impatient- haha), plus these cost a little more…
To use: Brush your teeth well, rinse, and pat dry. Peel off the crest strip and place on your teeth and press firmly. Leave on for 2 hours, then take off and brush your teeth with just water.
Price: $40.99
Where to Buy: Most drugstores . Amazon
.
Another tip in making your teeth look white especially for pictures is to apply a cool toned lipstick. Cool lipsticks have a blue undertone to them such as true pinks and apple red. Avoid any lipsticks that are orange, brick red, or yellow tinted pinks- the yellow undertones will bring out the yellow in your teeth.
I have to say that I’m very impressed with the teeth whitening systems that are used at home- they are so much better than they used to be and are very affordable now!
I hope you muggies have a wonderful week and stay safe this holiday season!
MUCH love,
Marlena
Have you had any problems with tooth sensitivity? That’s my biggest fear with teeth whitening…
I have exposed nerves at the ends of my teeth (I guess from grinding in my sleep)… I tried the Whitestrips before (the ones you’re supposed to use for half an hour twice a day) and I got thru a day and a half… I was in excruciating pain, to the point I could barely eat, drink water or even breathe thru my mouth (even the air across my teeth hurt so much!)… Now I’m so scared to try whitening products again, but I really wish my teeth were whiter… Next time I go to the dentist I’m going to ask if there are any products with lower concentrations of bleach tha I might be able to handle
Perhaps you may wish to try the good, ole fashioned baking soda. I also have sensitive teeth. I cannot bite into cold items such as ice cream, popsicles, etc. I have also lost a little bit of enamel from my teeth, so I too tend to be more gentle on my teeth.
I usually put a little bit of baking soda in a small container so I don’t “contaminate” the rest of the product. Then I wet my toothbrush, dab the toothbrush into the small container of baking soda, and add a little bit of toothpaste. I add the toothpaste because I don’t like the taste of baking soda. I will then brush with that mixture. If you can stand the taste of baking soda, try brushing with just baking soda and leave it on your teeth for about a minute. Rinse, and brush your teeth as normal.
I did this for my wedding, and the pictures turned out great! The folks at the dentist office always start to offer me the whitening packages, take a second look at my teeth, and retract their offers. I also don’t use alternative whitening agents because I don’t want to spend the money. A small box of baking soda can cost you 97 cents at Walmart!
The blue mouth guard (with no Plus White gel), you should wear it at night to protect your teeth from the grinding.
Please
i have exposed nerves as well. i actually had some fillings put over them, but i know exactly how you feel. i could not use the strips more than one day at a time without wanting to cry. i would try them for half the amount of recommended time every other day or even every 3-4 days. it certainly took much longer to whiten, but it did help cut down on the sensitivity along with slowly whitening.
I have been told numerous times by various dentists that using baking soda is REALLY BAD for your teeth because it eats away at the enamel.
I know someone who does this and I’ll admit, she has VERY white teeth, but imagine the problems down the line. YIKES! I have a sensitivity issues— I hope someday to find a solution as well. But research whatever you try beforehand!
You should try Crest 3d whitestrips for sensitive teeth I here it is a great product. I have sensitive teeth myself and i know it can be painful.
I have sensitive teeth too but I still whiten my teeth. I use the walgreens version of Crest Advanced strips. These are the cheap ones. I like these because you only leave them on for 30 mins at a time. The shorter time is less irritating. Also, I take 1 or 2 day breaks between each use – or until my teeth don’t hurt anymore. If you give yourself enough time between treatments it isn’t nearly as painful and your teeth will be less sensitive to whitening over time.
I get sensitivity from the Whitestrips even after only one use, but none at all from the 5 Min Gel even using it multiple days in a row, 20 min each time. On the package there’s an asterisk, it says “Begins to whiten in 5 min” which means you need to leave it on longer. You can also get a sports mouth guard for about a dollar and customize it to your teeth.
Hello, everyone!
This is my first EVER post although I have been following Marlena and MUG for 2+ years now. First of all, I am a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) and a RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) in East Tennessee. I work for a General Practice and Cosmetic Restorative Dentist. We do the whole gamut. That being said, I help patients with their teeth and whitening every day. So here are some tips for all of you that may be helpful…
The keys to effective whitening no matter what product or delivery method you choose are as follows:
First, look in the mirror and smile your biggest smile. The teeth you see (usually only back to the 2nd premolar on most) are the teeth that you need to concentrate on whitening. Anything more is up to you but may not be necessary. Also unnecessary is to whiten the chewing surfaces or tongue side surfaces of your teeth. Who is going to see it? Why waste the product or potentially increase sensitivity?
The big one – consistency and frequency! When you initially begin your regime, you want to utilize your whitening product as often and as regularly as possible. Usually you will see little to NO results if you use the product once then not again for 2 days, then once, then again in 3 days… It’s like 1 step forward and 2 steps back. How will you ever make any progress? The very first thing is to check your sensitivity and tolerance to your whitening product. Only use it once the first day. Follow the directions but typically its only 30-40minutes. Then if you feel like your teeth tolerated it well, you can try 2 applications a day the next day. If your teeth still do well, then continue 2x a day for 2 weeks unless your particular product prohibits this specifically. If you do experience sensitivity then you can drop back to 1x a day or 1 every other day, but as often and as consistently as possible.
There are 2 misconceptions that people tend to have about whitening.
1 – Using more product will whiten my teeth faster.
2 – Leaving the product on longer will whiten my teeth faster.
1- This is not true. The product will ONLY whiten your teeth if is actually touching your teeth. Anything more is a waste and most likely end up on your gingival tissues and damage them. You might feel discomfort and burning or even see bleaching or sloughing of the exterior of these tissues in this case. If you use custom trays, you will notice that they fit VERY intimately with your teeth and there is NO room for excess. Anything more than a dot per tooth will extrude onto your gums. The same will likely happen with Crest White strips. If this is the case, simply wet a Q-tip or tissue and wipe from your gums. And you also should always avoid ingesting any product if you can. This is why I wouldn’t recommend swishing with hydrogen peroxide (another old time whitening remedy I have heard of).
2- This is not true either. The thing about these products is that when they activate, a chemical reaction occurs. Once the chemical reaction is used up, that’s all she wrote ladies. So, there is really no benefit to leaving product on any longer than the directions indicate. Again, this is usually around 30-40minutes.
Now we come to the role of diet in whitening. You want to avoid foods/beverages that stain the teeth such as: Coffee, Tea, Soda, Wine, Blueberries, Blackberries, Kool-Aid’s, Vinaigrette dressing, Tomato-based products, and even TOBACCO. Ladies you’ve seen the stains these items leave behind in your coffee mugs, countertops and even how the tobacco affects your nail job. What makes you think it’s any different for your teeth? So cut them out or cut them back. And Marlena is right, water is great for you! If you do consume these items go brush after or at least go rinse with water. Don’t let that stuff sit on your teeth for hours. It will be like fighting an uphill battle in your efforts to whiten. And if you must have them, then have them in moderation. Don’t sip on your McDonald’s sweet tea from lunch till 3pm or your extra-large Starbucks coffee all morning long. I know it’s the only thing that keeps some of us from tripping people in the stairwell some days, but then you are just constantly bathing your teeth in stain. It ruins your perky, caffeinated smile.
Everyone has naturally occurring striations, hairline fractures and even some decalcified areas on their teeth. These areas are going to whiten the fastest. Don’t be alarmed if your see white dots or streaks on your teeth after the first few whitening sessions. Just keep going and it should even out. For those who are missing enamel on the chewing/biting (Incisal) areas of their teeth, if the dentin is exposed (the layer just below the enamel) it will soak up stain easily, making these teeth darker. Lucky for you, that the reverse is also true and these areas can allow these teeth to whiten faster than others as well. They may be sensitive though so be cautious.
Color and hue. Mostly women have a better eye for color than men. However, you might still goggle at the incredible variations of colors and hues that can make up the human dentition (teeth). There are warm tones like yellows, oranges, creams, browns and even reds. Warm tones lighten the mostly easily and esthetically pleasing. There are cool tones like blues, grays, and translucent whites. These are the trickiest ones. Evaluate your teeth in the mirror, ask your DDS to look at it with you and see what he/she recommends. If you fall into the cool category or you have what is called tetracycline staining (from antibiotics) then it may be harder for you to reach the desired shade on your own.
Once you have reached your desired shade, you may only have to touch-up 1-3 times a year depending on your lifestyle and consumption of the aforementioned items that stained teeth.
Sensitivity can definitely slow your whitening process or put you off from it altogether. So it’s best to research the reasons for it and compensate if you still desire using a whitening product.
If you have regular sensitivity, definitely invest in Sensodyne toothpaste! It has Sodium Nitrate which helps “coat” or soothe the dentinal tubules in your teeth that send messages to the pulp chamber where the nerve is.
Next, if you already know that you grind or clench (which is just as bad) your teeth at night, this can contribute to tooth sensitivity as well as tooth aches and even TMJ pain. If you are unsure about clenching/grinding at night, ask your bed partner or roommates. Also if you or your DDS see missing enamel or heavy wear facets on your teeth, this can also be an indication. In this case, you want to consult your DDS about a night appliance to prevent damage and be conscientious of any habits during the day (long hours in front of the computer, stressful situations, and gridlock traffic, etc…). Since professionally made custom appliances can be pricey, then go to Walgreens or some such and get what is called a Doctor’s Bite Guard. The reason is that it provides a flat surface for your lower teeth to rest against that can withstand forces and prevent your teeth from locking together according to the natural anatomy of your teeth. The grinding/clenching could be a result of a need for orthodontics that can be managed by one of these appliances.
If you have chipped or missing enamel or have root exposure due to gingival recession at the gumline (could be from brushing too hard in a “sawing” motion or from grinding/clenching or periodontal trouble), this can also cause a lot of sensitivity in general before you even bring whitening products into the mix. You might be able to rectify some of this with some sensitivity varnishes and having some bonding placed to protect and insulate these areas by your DDS. This also prevents these problems from worsening.
Lastly, evaluate your diet. A lot of acidic foods can contribute to weaker enamel and elevated sensitivity. Citrus fruits, teas, sodas, tomato based products. Sugars can increase sensitivity (and decay!) in some individuals. And it’s hidden in sooo many foods. Sneaky sugar! Bad sugar!
Now back to whitening. There are a LOT of whitening products. Plenty of good ones and a few duds. It’s best to first figure where you want your end result to be and what your budget is. And be realistic. If you want “refrigerator white” teeth, schedule a consultation for Veneers or something but are in mind that this shade won’t be very natural looking.
Winners:
Crest Whitening Strips. There are actually 2 grades. The 1st you can buy at the store. The 2nd you can buy from your DDS for about double the cost. It’s more powerful so it whitens a faster. These can be a little messy and maybe don’t whiten quite a quickly as you want so it requires some patience. Questions to consider… Why would you whiten the chewing surfaces or tongue side of your teeth? Who is going to see those places besides your DDS or Hygienist? I think those strips are too short to cover the number of teeth you want to whiten that can be seen when you smile also. Make your money/strips go farther but cutting them lengthwise before application. Tip: Make your money/strips go farther but cutting them lengthwise before application. This way you only have to put them on the face of your teeth and you can cover more teeth with one strip. Bonus: Because they are narrower after cutting, you don’t end up wasting a lot of product on your gingival tissues which can do damage to them! Gently use a toothpick or fingernail to press the strips into the embrasures and contacts between teeth to get a more even effect on the teeth. This is what you would get from custom trays made by your DDS.
Whitening gels (including the ones used in the tanning bed) are nice for those people who don’t have to jump more than 3 shades to get where they want their teeth to be. Generally not very expensive and still pleasantly effective. Again, be very careful not to get material on your gingival tissues. The only down side to the tanning bed ones is that you are exposing that much more of yourself to UV. I haven’t researched any studies that comment on the effect this may have on oral tissues. Your DDS should check for changes in the appearance of oral tissues when you attend your regular cleaning appointments to check for signs of oral cancer. I am NOT saying that this WILL occur. These materials can be painted on or used in a generic tray provided with the product by the manufacturer.
Syringe Gel products that you obtain from your DDS are used in Custom Trays also made by your DDS. These I feel to be the most effective, with best and most controlled results, for the most people. And you can move up SEVERAL shades. They are pricey. The initial fee is for the impressions that are taken of your mouth, the stone models that are made to produce the flexible clear tray that will custom fit YOUR mouth/teeth, and the first set of (2-4) syringes that you are provided with. Some dentists are really great and give you your first refills for FREE*. If used correctly, these syringes last for a very long time and have 2 year expirations. You can extend the life by using the unused ones in the fridge but always remember the one out in advance to let it reach room temperature before using or it can cause strong sensitivity. You usually see big results within 2 weeks and it works more rapidly after that.
There are two main types of this solution and many percentages of active product. The first type is a hydrogen peroxide solution. The second type is carbomide peroxide solution. My favorite is the carbomide solution made by a company called White&Bright because I experience less sensitivity with a stronger solution personally than the hydrogen. Both are great. My office actually dominantly uses the hydrogen kind for our patients. The solutions come in 9%, 20% and even 30% solutions. The higher the percentage, the stronger (faster) the product. If you have a lot of sensitivity but wish to choose this method then try a lower percentage. Consult your DDS initially. I did very well with the 20% carbomide peroxide, while my husband preferred the 9% hydrogen peroxide solution. Even in a lower percentage, the hydrogen bothered me. But that is just me.
ZOOM whitening I don’t personally prefer because the results can be hit or miss on an individual basis. Also it can be VERY expensive because you are only getting a 2 week head start on using custom tray whitening product and then you still have to use these trays to go the rest of the way at home. It’s usually a 2 hour appointment. I think this is great for those that just want the quick timeline jump, say, right before weekend wedding pictures that weekend or something.
Happy whitening ladies!
-Marcy
Hey Marcy! I am a dentist who lives in Texas, I just want to say what a great answer you wrote out, I wish I had dental assistants as thorough and thoughtful as you!
I agree about the night guards, I had one made at my dentist and my insurance actually covered 90%, so look into it. Regarding sensitivity Sensodyne helps as well as a product my dentist turned me on to called GC MI Paste Plus. You put a tiny bit on your finger and smooth it all over your teeth 2-3 times a week and it helps.
MI paste is awesome, Jes.
Dr. Sam, Thank you so very much for the compliment! I needed that. Watch out, if my husband gets into Bell Helicopter school and we decide to move out that way…. I might come find you! Haha!
If I could add one more thing to this GIANT post, it would be to again stress the need for having you teeth regularly cleaned at your dentist’s office. There are some things you just CANNOT remove from your teeth that only a hygienist can no matter how much you brush and floss. And trying to whiten with that stuff on your teeth, then it’s gonna be like trying to whiten your teeth coverend in selifane (plastic wrap).
i use those exact same things…they do work vary well. And i agree with Marlena!! she knows what shes talking about!(;
I had the same experience. Now when ever I hear about tooth whitening, I can feel the pain in my teeth from using it before. I used to grind my teeth, so I think thats where my problem lies.
I love you Marlena you are so amazing and beautiful. If you have any haters forget them because you ROCK.
I thought one requirement of the White Strips was NOT to brush your teeth immediately before or after…? I will also say that the White Strips that you leave on for 30 minutes over like two weeks (as opposed to two hours in one sitting) cause less sensitivity for me
Definitivamente no pierdes ningún detalle!! Voy a probarlo, eres lo máximo!!
Very useful video. Thanks lovely! x
Walmart carries both of the products for great prices. Thank you so much for doing this video! I have been researching teeth whiteners, but I wanted an opinion from someone I trust, not just a video on the internet!
Where can I get the 5 minutes kit? I never got into this in Israel
how is the taste for the 5 min kit?
It’s minty, just like toothpaste. Nothing foul
I have been using the plus white system for years and it is the best and most inexpensive out there.
For tooth sensitivity, use Sensodyne for a week or so before using the whitening gel. Also, you can get a tube of flouride and/or mineral treatment from your Dentist, if you use this before whitening it will dramatically cut down on pain and sensitivity when whitening.
I found this on walmart’s website. But their version only comes with the tray and gel, NOT with the pre-rinse. It may be worth to check in the stores.
I am always worried about sensitivity, but I would love to try this out!
Im a little obsessed with teeth whitening myself and i have used both these products…and they work very well! But the best i have found, is for those tanners out there that lay in tanning beds. They make a UV whitening system that you can use while tanning and the UV light provides the same effect as a dentist. I got my kit from my tanning saloon. I know tanning beds are a personal choice but if you lay and want to whiten, I HIGHLY recommend it!!
Word to the wise, whitening products should not be overused and may increase sensitivity. In some cases you should call your dentist because these products aren’t appropriate for everyone even if they’re available over the counter. -Pharmacist
These never work for me for long sadly
Hello, everyone!
This is my first EVER post although I have been following Marlena and MUG for 2+ years now. First of all, I am a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) and a RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) in East Tennessee. I work for a General Practice and Cosmetic Restorative Dentist. We do the whole gamut. That being said, I help patients with their teeth and whitening every day. So here are some tips for all of you that may be helpful…
The keys to effective whitening no matter what product or delivery method you choose are as follows:
First, look in the mirror and smile your biggest smile. The teeth you see (usually only back to the 2nd premolar on most) are the teeth that you need to concentrate on whitening. Anything more is up to you but may not be necessary. Also unnecessary is to whiten the chewing surfaces or tongue side surfaces of your teeth. Who is going to see it? Why waste the product or potentially increase sensitivity?
The big one – consistency and frequency! When you initially begin your regime, you want to utilize your whitening product as often and as regularly as possible. Usually you will see little to NO results if you use the product once then not again for 2 days, then once, then again in 3 days… It’s like 1 step forward and 2 steps back. How will you ever make any progress? The very first thing is to check your sensitivity and tolerance to your whitening product. Only use it once the first day. Follow the directions but typically its only 30-40minutes. Then if you feel like your teeth tolerated it well, you can try 2 applications a day the next day. If your teeth still do well, then continue 2x a day for 2 weeks unless your particular product prohibits this specifically. If you do experience sensitivity then you can drop back to 1x a day or 1 every other day, but as often and as consistently as possible.
There are 2 misconceptions that people tend to have about whitening.
1 – Using more product will whiten my teeth faster.
2 – Leaving the product on longer will whiten my teeth faster.
1- This is not true. The product will ONLY whiten your teeth if is actually touching your teeth. Anything more is a waste and most likely end up on your gingival tissues and damage them. You might feel discomfort and burning or even see bleaching or sloughing of the exterior of these tissues in this case. If you use custom trays, you will notice that they fit VERY intimately with your teeth and there is NO room for excess. Anything more than a dot per tooth will extrude onto your gums. The same will likely happen with Crest White strips. If this is the case, simply wet a Q-tip or tissue and wipe from your gums. And you also should always avoid ingesting any product if you can. This is why I wouldn’t recommend swishing with hydrogen peroxide (another old time whitening remedy I have heard of).
2- This is not true either. The thing about these products is that when they activate, a chemical reaction occurs. Once the chemical reaction is used up, that’s all she wrote ladies. So, there is really no benefit to leaving product on any longer than the directions indicate. Again, this is usually around 30-40minutes.
Now we come to the role of diet in whitening. You want to avoid foods/beverages that stain the teeth such as: Coffee, Tea, Soda, Wine, Blueberries, Blackberries, Kool-Aid’s, Vinaigrette dressing, Tomato-based products, and even TOBACCO. Ladies you’ve seen the stains these items leave behind in your coffee mugs, countertops and even how the tobacco affects your nail job. What makes you think it’s any different for your teeth? So cut them out or cut them back. And Marlena is right, water is great for you! If you due consume these items go brush after or at least go rinse with water. Don’t let that stuff sit on your teeth for hours. It will be like fighting an uphill battle in your efforts to whiten. And if you must have them, then have them in moderation. Don’t sip on your McDonald’s sweet tea from lunch till 3pm or your extra-large Starbucks coffee all morning long. I know it’s the only thing that keeps some of us from tripping people in the stairwell some days, but then you are just constantly bathing your teeth in stain. It ruins your perky, caffeinated smile.
Everyone has naturally occurring striations, hairline fractures and even some decalcified areas on their teeth. These areas are going to whiten the fastest. Don’t be alarmed if your see white dots or streaks on your teeth after the first few whitening sessions. Just keep going and it should even out. For those who are missing enamel on the chewing/biting (Incisal) areas of their teeth, if the dentin is exposed (the layer just below the enamel) it will soak up stain easily, making these teeth darker. Lucky for you, that the reverse is also true and these areas can allow these teeth to whiten faster than others as well. They may be sensitive though so be cautious.
Color and hue. Mostly women have a better eye for color than men. However, you might still goggle at the incredible variations of colors and hues that can make up the human dentition (teeth). There are warm tones like yellows, oranges, creams, browns and even reds. Warm tones lighten the mostly easily and esthetically pleasing. There are cool tones like blues, grays, and translucent whites. These are the trickiest ones. Evaluate your teeth in the mirror, ask your DDS to look at it with you and see what he/she recommends. If you fall into the cool category or you have what is called tetracycline staining (from antibiotics) then it may be harder for you to reach the desired shade on your own.
Once you have reached your desired shade, you may only have to touch-up 1-3 times a year depending on your lifestyle and consumption of the aforementioned items that stained teeth.
Sensitivity can definitely slow your whitening process or put you off from it altogether. So it’s best to research the reasons for it and compensate if you still desire using a whitening product.
If you have regular sensitivity, definitely invest in Sensodyne toothpaste! It has Sodium Nitrate which helps “coat” or soothe the dentinal tubules in your teeth that send messages to the pulp chamber where the nerve is.
Next, if you already know that you grind or clench (which is just as bad) your teeth at night, this can contribute to tooth sensitivity as well as tooth aches and even TMJ pain. If you are unsure about clenching/grinding at night, ask your bed partner or roommates. Also if you or your DDS see missing enamel or heavy wear facets on your teeth, this can also be an indication. In this case, you want to consult your DDS about a night appliance to prevent damage and be conscientious of any habits during the day (long hours in front of the computer, stressful situations, and gridlock traffic, etc…). Since professionally made custom appliances can be pricey, then go to Walgreens or some such and get what is called a Doctor’s Bite Guard. The reason is that it provides a flat surface for your lower teeth to rest against that can withstand forces and prevent your teeth from locking together according to the natural anatomy of your teeth. The grinding/clenching could be a result of a need for orthodontics that can be managed by one of these appliances.
If you have chipped or missing enamel or have root exposure due to gingival recession at the gumline (could be from brushing to hard in a “sawing” motion or from grinding/clenching or periodontal trouble), this can also cause a lot of sensitivity in general before you even bring whitening products into the mix. You might be able to rectify some of this with some sensitivity varnishes and having some bonding placed to protect and insulate these areas by your DDS. This also prevents these problems from worsening.
Lastly, evaluate your diet. A lot of acidic foods can contribute to weaker enamel and elevated sensitivity. Citrus fruits, teas, sodas, tomato based products. Sugars can increase sensitivity (and decay!) in some individuals. And it’s hidden in sooo many foods. Sneaky sugar! Bad sugar!
Now back to whitening. There are a LOT of whitening products. Plenty of good ones and a few duds. It’s best to first figure where you want your end result to be and what your budget is. And be realistic. If you want “refrigerator white” teeth, schedule a consultation for Veneers or something but are in mind that this shade won’t be very natural looking.
Winners:
Crest Whitening Strips. There are actually 2 grades. The 1st you can buy at the store. The 2nd you can buy from your DDS for about double the cost. It’s more powerful so it whitens a faster. These can be a little messy and maybe don’t whiten quite a quickly as you want so it requires some patience. Questions to consider… Why would you whiten the chewing surfaces or tongue side of your teeth? Who is going to see those places besides your DDS or Hygienist? I think those strips are too short to cover the number of teeth you want to whiten that can be seen when you smile also. Make your money/strips go farther but cutting them lengthwise before application. Tip: Make your money/strips go farther but cutting them lengthwise before application. This way you only have to put them on the face of your teeth and you can cover more teeth with one strip. Bonus: Because they are narrower after cutting, you don’t end up wasting a lot of product on your gingival tissues which can do damage to them! Gently use a toothpick or fingernail to press the strips into the embrasures and contacts between teeth to get a more even effect on the teeth. This is what you would get from custom trays made by your DDS.
Whitening gels (including the ones used in the tanning bed) are nice for those people who don’t have to jump more than 3 shades to get where they want their teeth to be. Generally not very expensive and still pleasantly effective. Again, be very careful not to get material on your gingival tissues. The only down side to the tanning bed ones is that you are exposing that much more of yourself to UV. I haven’t researched any studies that comment on the effect this may have on oral tissues. Your DDS should check for changes in the appearance of oral tissues when you attend your regular cleaning appointments to check for signs of oral cancer. I am NOT saying that this WILL occur. These materials can be painted on or used in a generic tray provided with the product by the manufacturer.
Syringe Gel products that you obtain from your DDS are used in Custom Trays also made by your DDS. These I feel to be the most effective, with best and most controlled results, for the most people. And you can move up SEVERAL shades. They are pricey. The initial fee is for the impressions that are taken of your mouth, the stone models that are made to produce the flexible clear tray that will custom fit YOUR mouth/teeth, and the first set of (2-4) syringes that you are provided with. Some dentists are really great and give you your first refills for FREE*. If used correctly, these syringes last for a very long time and have 2 year expirations. You can extend the life by using the unused ones in the fridge but always remember the one out in advance to let it reach room temperature before using or it can cause strong sensitivity. You usually see big results within 2 weeks and it works more rapidly after that.
There are two main types of this solution and many percentages of active product. The first type is a hydrogen peroxide solution. The second type is carbomide peroxide solution. My favorite is the carbomide solution made by a company called White&Bright because I experience less sensitivity with a stronger solution personally than the hydrogen. Both are great. My office actually dominantly uses the hydrogen kind for our patients. The solutions come in 9%, 20% and even 30% solutions. The higher the percentage, the stronger (faster) the product. If you have a lot of sensitivity but wish to choose this method then try a lower percentage. Consult your DDS initially. I did very well with the 20% carbomide peroxide, while my husband preferred the 9% hydrogen peroxide solution. Even in a lower percentage, the hydrogen bothered me. But that is just me.
ZOOM whitening I don’t personally prefer because the results can be hit or miss on an individual basis. Also it can be VERY expensive because you are only getting a 2 week head start on using custom tray whitening product and then you still have to use these trays to go the rest of the way at home. It’s usually a 2 hour appointment. I think this is great for those that just want the quick timeline jump, say, right before weekend wedding pictures that weekend or something.
Happy whitening ladies!
-Marcy
WOW!!!! Thank you sooo much for all the insight you have written here. That is very kind and helpful of you!
You are very welcome.
I know I didn’t cover absolutely everything but it was SUCH a LOOOOONNNGGG post that I was feeling a little pretentious already. haha.
Okay i’m just soo bad at the cool vs warm tones and stuff. Can anybody name/show more pink cool bluetoned lipsticks?
Thank you thank you THANK YOU! I have been wondering about that for a long, long time. You are the best!
Hi Marlena I love your tutorials and I’m learning a lot from you….thank you. I found the 5 minute whitening at walmart
marlena u only have to put the white strips for 30 min twice a day!
The 5 minute whiten system is better than the whitestrips! Whitestrips are very strong which is why your teeth will get white so fast but if you have sensitive teeth they will get worse! I like the 5 minute white because it’s gentle and you do notice a subtle difference in the first time you use it. I used it 2x a day for 2 weeks and now just once every two weeks and they look amazing!
Thank you so much ! I will try and buy the 5 minute system from amazon….cause in Romania i didn’t find it…I have sensitive teeth,but I hope it will work and not hurt !
Thanks !:*
What lip color did you say you were wearing? My darn speakers are broke and I can’t hear!! UGH!
WOW. You look younger, prettier and thinner now! It must have been a year or less since I last visited your website and, now, you are more beautiful than before. You must be aging backwards! @.@
And, thanks for this! I’ll try the 5 minute system. Hopefully, it will do good on me. I’m really troubled with my teeth’s color. I have genetically yellow teeth and the worst part is it has uneven color. Like, my canines are more yellowish than my other teeth. Often times, I feel embarrassed having a big smile on photos but with these uneven color of teeth. =((
Your canines are naturally supposed to be darker than the rest of your dentition. Yellow whiten the best because they are a warm color.
My crest strips say to just leave them on for 30 minutes…