BPGP: Crest White Strips 3D Express
Oct 6, 2011
After all the cough medicine, tea and coffee that I drank last week, my teeth looked less-than-sparkling. So I decided that I would buy a box of Crest White Strips to recover my usual gleam.
Too impatient to wait the two weeks that the normal White Strips take, I decided to purchase the oft advertised Crest White Strips 3D Express, which promise “noticeably whiter teeth” in just 2 hours.
What a mistake.
After wearing the strips for what felt like an eternity, I went into the bathroom to remove them. I brushed off the goo that was clinging to my teeth like a magnet, and inspected the results. Instead of “noticeably whiter,” I got “Well, I guess they’re whiter.”
I spent $54, and my teeth were, at best, shoulder shrug whiter.
While the flat surfaces of the teeth are somewhat whiter, the edges and spaces between the teeth remain unchanged. This makes my teeth look a bit like a matted photo in an oak frame. Now, the edges of my teeth look a bit dingy.
Adding injury to insult, not only were the whitening results were not as expected, but my teeth are now unbelievably sensitive. My bottom teeth have that “I just are a bowl of ice chips” feeling. And this afternoon, I put a cough drop in my mouth only to discover that the sugar made my teeth feel like they were under attack by a posse of acetylene torch wielding elves.
Bottom line: If you want whiter teeth in less than two hours, see a dentist. Otherwise, save your money and pick up a box of regular White Strips for just $24. Because the “Express” kind are just a scam to dupe inpatient people into shelling out $30 extra dollars.
I too had these same results a few weeks ago! I deviated from my usual Crest White Strips and bought the 3D express – what a disappointment and the most annoying thing is that my teeth are so sensitive right now that I need to wait a while before I can purchase the non-express version to fix the non-whitened edges of my teeth. Total bummer!
Oh man me too! I got these and could barely tell that my teeth had changed color AND then my teeth were the sorest for several days. So not worth it. Probably the only way these would be worthwhile is if you muscled through how bad your teeth felt and did all four within a two week period.
i've had the same experience where the express just don't get it done.
I really, really like the Crest 3D White Rinse. I do NOT have the patience for the strips. I'm sure the strips would give you results more quickly, but I like that the rinse only takes one extra minute after brushing your teeth and it's easy to work into your routine. I noticed a big difference when using it consistently, my mom even noticed that my teeth were whiter!
My teeth hurt just reading this post. Ouch.
I just want to chime in since teeth sensitivity is something I battle regularly. A penchant for bruxism runs in my family, and I have to wear a mouthguard (for lack of a better term) in order to avoid having my teeth ground to little nubs each night. Even with this guard, my teeth can get ridiculously sensitive when triggered. I had heard from friends that Crest strips make their non-bruxism-subject teeth really sensitive, so I've understandably stayed away from it, but all the same, I'm a coffee drinker and would like whiter teeth. Earlier this year, I read about the GLO system and ended up buying it from Sephora back in June (https://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P281835&categoryId=B70). It's almost $300 for the system, but entirely worth it to me when you consider how much whitening at the dentist costs. I've been using it in intervals throughout the past four months now, and have definitely noticed a difference (not immediate, but over a few sessions) in the colour of my teeth. An investment entirely worth making for those who have chronic sensitivity like I do, want to whiten on a budget and on their own time.
Try brushing with sensodyne for awhile-it will fix the sensitivity issue quiclly.
You know, I have tried the two week Crest system and I had to quit half way through due to the sensitivity. Usually just as I am getting some change in colour. Either start brushing with sensodyne right as you start whitening, or get some serious advice from your dentist first. Because almost any whitening system will eat away at your enamel and that will inevitably cause some sensitivity.
I know this is old, but wanted to chime in here. Rather than buying special (and expensive) whitening products, just rinse with plain hydrogen peroxide (the swish quickly with plan water) a few times a week. I've been doing it for several months now and my teeth are significantly whiter than they were before. I also brush with just a mixture of baking powder and coconut oil (enough of each to get the paste like texture you like). I still have a few spots that are stubborn, but since I have never had professional whitening done, I'm pretty pleased with the improvements. No sensitivity and dirt cheap. If you have had your teeth whitened, I'll bet this would be an easy and cheap way to maintain the results.