In the GQ neck of the woods, Crest 3D Whitestrips need little introduction: they've scooped countless Grooming Awards, anchored many a sale blog, and consistently rank at the top of our assessment of the category. But until now, we haven't officially reviewed 'em, an omission so glaring we're not quite sure how we missed it.
So to rectify the mistake, my partner and I tested two versions of Crest's wildly popular teeth whitening product, one with an LED light and one without. Spoiler alert: They both work extremely well. For most people, in fact, they probably work too well—especially if you plan to use the entire box. (Maybe don’t do that.)
Below you'll find a comprehensive overview of our experience—including slightly mortifying before and after pictures—along with key whitening advice culled from two New York City-based cosmetic dentists: Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein of Bensonhurst Dental, and Dr. Clement (Clem) Kairouz of Apa Aesthetic.
For questions about cadence, efficacy, and prep start here.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening
When it comes to teeth whitening, pretty much every dentist will give you the same advice: At-home efforts should be supplemental to retain the brightness you achieve from professionally administered and supervised treatments.
Clinical whitening treatments are powerful and efficient when supervised by a professional, but at-home strips are great for maintenance, Dr. Clem says. “There’s no perfect timeline here or exact date for when to start using strips because results are individualized and influenced by social habits. For some patients, the in-office results will last just three months; for others they may last six months. Whenever brightness dulls, that’s when you want to refresh with at-home strips.”
The intensity of professional touch-ups can be tailored to the frequency of your treatments, though every 6-12 months is a solid cadence. Generally speaking, it's also best to whiten your teeth after they've been professionally cleaned, so your results aren’t obstructed by any plaque build-up.
Why Trust Crest?
Crest is one of the biggest names in oral hygiene for a reason, and a favorite of the American Dental Association for its longstanding pedigree in the space. Any product the brand sells will be FDA-approved, a seal of approval those janky Amazon-only brands can only hope to approximate. Don't gamble with your dental health: If you’re going to trust one brand, trust Crest.
Which Crest Whitestrips Should You Choose?
Sounds straightforward enough, right? Here's the thing: Crest seems to sell countless version of its whitestrips, almost as if the brand is making a different product every day, depending on what’s grown locally and is in season.
Don’t get too lost in the weeds here: Most of the variety boils down to arbitrary timelines (20 days, one month, one week), and your preferred “whiteness” scale. Crest doesn’t disclose the percentage of hydrogen peroxide in its whitening strips, but I’d be a lot more reticent about using them if they were coming from an unfamiliar brand. And regardless of which you choose, it's important to know how long to wear each strip, and never going over that mark.
If you want to know the truth, yes, Crest Whitestrips
Crest Whitestrips
Crest Whitestrips were introduced in 2001. The product is used by placing a disposable plastic strip directly onto the teeth that contains an enamel-safe whitening gel. It is reported to be most effective on yellow and heavily stained teeth. In 2010, the "3D" range of Whitestrips was introduced.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Crest_Whitestrips
Crest Whitestrips have become extremely popular for their convenience and affordability. They do work and can be an easy solution for whiter teeth, but you need to know some of the risks with this teeth whitening method before you try it.
The chemicals break down the stain molecules that cause teeth to darken. Plaque buildup can block these whitening chemicals from reaching the stained teeth. Schedule a dental cleaning appointment first before using teeth whitening strips. This can prepare your teeth well for the whitening process.
Crest 3DWhitestrips Professional Effects is designed to whiten like a professional-level teeth whitening treatment at-home. This enamel-safe treatment will remove over 15 years of stains in 3 days, with full results in 20 days.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, 50 percent of adults who used over-the-counter teeth whitening products like strips had mild tooth sensitivity. Some also experienced gum irritation and erosion of restorations, such as fillings.
Whitening strips may be best used when you're trying to make a small touch-up to your tooth color. For more significant changes, you may want to consider professional whitening from a dentist. A dentist can use stronger bleaches and give you a custom treatment best suited to your needs.
With that said, Crest 3D Whitestrips will whiten teeth for at least six to 12 months, so we recommend using Whitestrips twice per year to maintain a whiter smile.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
Here are some reasons why your teeth are not whitening like you had hoped for: Intrinsic stains: Intrinsic stains are stains that occur inside the tooth, often due to genetics, medication use, or trauma. These stains are harder to remove with traditional teeth whitening treatments.
The fact is, not all teeth respond to whitening. Furthermore, it is important to understand what whitening products you use can really make all the difference. Let's consider certain things that might keep your teeth whitening treatment from working.
It's tempting to think that leaving them on longer will yield a more dazzling smile, but this isn't necessarily the case. Overextending the application time can lead to increased tooth sensitivity without delivering significant additional benefits.
This practice won't diminish the whitening effects, and it is advised to do so gently to prevent gum irritation and discomfort. Opting for a soft-bristled brush is advisable to avoid potential abrasiveness and reduce the risk of gum irritation.
For best results with any product that promotes white teeth, be sure to follow a routine of good oral hygiene, including twice-daily toothbrushing and daily flossing. Make sure to read the instructions on your products for white teeth—some suggest that you don't brush your teeth immediately before applying the product.
Teeth whitening strips have a bleaching agent that is not as powerful as the variety used by dentists yet this agent still has the potential to damage the gums' soft tissue.
Use your 3DWhitestrips only as frequently as indicated in the directions printed on the box for best results. In fact, we've done extensive testing and determined that we do not recommend using more than two upper strips and two lower strips per day.
Additionally, the strips should fully adhere to your clean teeth, which should improve your teeth whitening efforts. If you want to brush your teeth first, wait at least 30 minutes before applying the strips. Using whitening strips right after brushing might cause gum irritation.
Professional-grade whitening kits or treatments may have specific instructions regarding consecutive usage, and skipping a day could affect the desired results.
Brushing before applying Whitestrips can help remove surface stains and improve product adherence. Yet, it's equally essential to follow up with a gentle post-treatment brushing to eliminate residual gel and maintain oral hygiene. The ideal sequence can vary depending on personal preferences and product instructions.
Typically a person wears the strips for about half an hour before bedtime and can usually notice a difference in the whiteness of their teeth in the first week. However, they're not effective on stains caused by antibiotics or fluoride poisoning and they won't lighten dental restorations.
Staining and Discoloration: While whitening toothpaste can help reduce surface stains, it may not address intrinsic discoloration. Individuals with severe staining or discoloration should to use whitening strips or look for professional dental treatments for more effective results.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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