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.
In this post, I’ll discuss how Crest Whitestrips and similar brands work.
How Crest Whitestrips Work
Crest Whitestrips work by pressing a clear strip of whitening gel against the teeth for several minutes to whiten them.
The strips are made of a plastic material and are coated with adhesive and hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whitening gel. It takes several minutes for the whitening gel to penetrate the enamel to “bleach” the teeth.
The same ingredients dentists use to whiten teeth are found in these at-home whitening strips but at lower concentrations.
Crest Whitestrips Ingredients
Here are some of the ingredients found in Crest Whitestrips:
- PEG-8
- Carbomer
- Sodium saccharin
- Sodium hydroxide
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Acrylates copolymer
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
- Polyethylene
Some of these ingredients are toxic to the body and should be limited in use. For detailed safety information, check out www.ewg.org (Environmental Working Group).
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are commonly used to whiten teeth. These ingredients are generally safe if the peroxide doesn’t contact the sensitive gum tissue.
The issue with Whitestrips is that the whitening gel isn’t adequately sealed away from the gum tissue the way a custom whitening tray does.
PVP & Carbomer
The PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and carbomer used in Crest Whitestrips (for sticking to the teeth) are generally fairly safe and non-toxic. However, overuse of these products can irritate the gums and damage enamel.
Sodium Hydroxide
According to the EWG (Environmental Working Group), sodium hydroxide is considered a toxic chemical because of its corrosive qualities. This can cause teeth sensitivity, an extremely common side effect of teeth whitening.
Are Crest Whitestrips safe?
Crest 3D Glamorous Whitestrips is approved by the American Dental Association, and are considered safe when used occasionally and in moderation.
If used incorrectly or too frequently, this product may cause damage to your gums and teeth.
And because of the one-size-fits-all design of these strips, it’s impossible to get a perfect seal and even distribution of the whitening gel on the teeth. This is especially true if there’s any overlap or crowding of the teeth.
There is also the risk of bleaching the gums and irritating them.
A safer method I recommend is using custom whitening trays instead, which are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly to seal the whitening gel evenly on your teeth.
At Thrive, we provide our patients with complimentary custom whitening trays and professional whitening gel so you can whiten your teeth most effectively.
How to Use Crest Whitestrips
To use Crest Whitestrips:
- Do not brush your teeth before using white strips
- Cut each strip (upper and lower) to the exact height of your teeth
- Peel off the plastic covering
- Place each strip on your teeth, avoiding the gums
- Leave the strips on your teeth for 5 minutes or less
- Remove the strips
- Rinse your mouth with water
- Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth
- Repeat these steps up to 2 times per day
- Do not exceed the number of days or time recommended
Crest 3D Whitestrips can stay on the teeth for 30 minutes for faster results.
Although some of these whitening kits include UV lights to “accelerate” the process, studies show that these lights may not be that effective and can possibly damage the teeth.
Do not wear Crest Whitestrips to bed or while sleeping.
Do I Need to Use Whitening Toothpaste?
Despite what the marketing for whitening toothpaste says, it’s the peroxide in the Whitestrips that whitens the teeth. Toothpaste can only remove extrinsic staining (surface stains). For a deeper clean, regular professional dental cleanings are the most effective way to remove surface stains.
Will Crest Whitestrips work for me?
Depending on the type of discoloration you have, Crest whitening kits may or may not work for you.
If you have yellowing due to aging, poor nutrition, or smoking, this whitening method may work for you. But if you have dark and greyed teeth, Crest Whitestrips may not work for you. Crest Whitestrips use peroxide to penetrate the dentin to whiten the teeth.
In cases like tetracycline staining or trauma, veneers or crowns may be a better option. Note: Whitening products will not whiten veneers, crowns, or anything other than your natural teeth.
Alternatives to Crest Whitestrips
A great non-toxic alternative to this product is Hydroxyapatite toothpaste. This toothpaste remineralizes your teeth and prevents cavities with the bonus of whitening your teeth!
Using a high-quality electric toothbrush contributes to whiter teeth by removing extrinsic staining (surface stains) daily.
I also recommend using custom whitening trays and professional whitening gel for the best results.
I don’t recommend activated charcoal because it’s highly abrasive and can wear away your enamel with long-term
