Have you used Crest Whitening Strips? Can you come and answer some questions I have please?

[headfairy]

I have quite yellow teeth, not caused by dietry things really, I have two cups of tea a day, very rarely drink coke or wine and only ever white wine. My mum says my teeth were stained because she was prescribed tetracycline when she was pg with me.

Anyway, I want to try Crest strips to see if they help. I understand I have to wear them for two hours a day... can you talk with the strips in?

How big are they in your mouth? When did you do your two hours?

Three days a week I work, I leave home at 9.30 and don't get back until 11.30pm so I'm not sure when I could use them on work days... Could I stick them in for an hour in the car in the morning and an hour on the way home?

Are there restrictions as to what I can do after I've used the strips, for eg can I eat after them?

Sooo many questions. Thanks if you're able to help me decide whether I can try this option.

[janmoomoo]

I used some which took 30 mins. Got on ebay. One strip for the top teeth and a smaller one for the bottom, just big enough to fold over behind the teeth. It doesnt hurt but its a bit uncomfortable, I dribbled a bit, I wouldnt like to do it whilst driving.

They say avoid coke/coffee/red wine/curry etch whilst you are doing the course, but you can eat other stuff straight after.

I did about 12, my teeth are nice and shiny and clean looking but they didnt really make a massive difference to the overall colour.

[Sparklegeek]

Can't speak for the ones you use every day, but whatever you do, don't do what I did & use the 2 hour express ones! See my other thread "biggest beauty mistake ever".

[headfairy]

Thanks Janmoomoo, I think I want to try something that's going to do a bit more to the colour.

[headfairy]

ooh, top tip sparklegeek, thanks for that, I'll definitely avoid.

[chandellina]

I have some from the US that work in 5 minutes once a day. Results are pretty good, I had Zoom whitening by my dentist that wasn't much better.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I use the 30min advance seal ones as they really cling to your teeth . They are just as good as the whitening that I had at the dentist.

[headfairy]

Chandellina and Issima, which brand did you use, and did you have any sensitivity issues that Sparklegeek had?

[Jux]

DD's teeth are yellow. Apparently it's because I ate so much dairy while I was pg. means her teeth are very very strong.

[headfairy]

thanks Issimissa...

Jux, I think I've got quite strong teeth, I've never had a filling and I'm not exactly a dental angel - I have quite a sweet tooth!

[mrsmartin]

I got the crest white strips premium...they come in individual foil packets (1 upper and 1lower in the pack) and are thin plastic strips with whitening formula on them (imagine a thin bit of plastic like a thin sandwich bag cut to size with gel bleach applied!!!). you peel them off a pice of acetate (like a sticker) and apply them on clean dry teeth. These ones take 30 mins - I used them while I pottered around the house in the morning. I used them once a day every other day and my teeth were 5 shades whiter in 2 weeks. They were definately the cheapest and most definate whitening system I've tried but they were awkward to wear and made my teeth very sensitive.

[chandellina]

Mine are Crest too but I guess they don't sell them here, a friend brought them over for me.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I get mine on eBay

[Sparklegeek]

Yes mine were also the Crest Whitestrips & they're easily available on eBay. There's lots of different types, from what I can tell the ones you use every day for a while seem to get better reviews. Mine were the ones where you just wear them for 2 hours & that's it, should've realised they were hardcore as you can only use once every 3 months! And my teeth aren't sensitive, have previously had the laser whitening by a dentist about 4 years ago & had no sensitivity at all. But I was climbing the walls with these :(

[headfairy]

Ouch! Poor you sparklegeek

will definitely avoid anything that promises too much in too short a time.

[LineRunner]

Why aren't these products sold in the UK?

[LineRunner]

Here's Sparklegeek's thread! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1418964-Think-I-made-my-biggest-ever-beauty-mistake-yesterday

[mrsmartin]

They aren't approved over here as being safe for use...given the sensitivity I experienced I can understand why...very easy to get on ebay etc. I would use them again if I had a sudden event that I needed to look extra 'hollywood' for but for now I just use beverly hills toothpaste every morning and sensodyne pronamel every night - keeps teeth looking lovely and I have no sensitivity whatsoever now.

[LineRunner]

My teeth need a 'boost' but they are quite sensitive anyway.

[mrsmartin]

you can get a product called sensi-block - very good for rapid relief. I used that for a couple of months and it got rid of my sensitivity pretty much instantly. I just use sensodyne now...it is brilliant.

[headfairy]

Thanks MrsM, top tips there!

[Tranquilidade]

My teeth are sensitive anyway so I get stuff from dentist that goes in little clear trays that clip on your teeth. I'm too scared of anything else.

[JDormaty]

I use them all the time and they are fantastic.. Go for the 'Supreme' or 'Professional Effects' as they are the strongest (30 min wear time / day). I get mine from a reputable UK based seller called Whitestrips4u. Been using them for a while and i get so many comments! For the price they are fantastic!!

www.whitestrips4u.co.uk/

[Helltotheno]

I have the Creststrips Premium 30 min ones and, though they definitely work, my teeth hurt like a mofo when I use em. Also other unpleasantness like excess saliva, which I don't feel I can swallow so a few times during the 30 mins, I need to get rid of that at the sink... sorry re tmi. Would absolutely only use these at home.