Do Crest Strips Really Work?
Tooth-Whitening Product Put To The Test
UPDATED: 3:10 p.m. EDT May 23, 2002
Maybe you're looking for a quick, easy way to get a sparkling, white smile, without going to the dentist.
A new product, Crest Whitestrips, can be found in drugstores in the toothpaste aisle.
The strips, which are made by Crest, guarantee that your teeth will be whiter in just 14 days.
But do they work and are they safe?
"The Whitestrips give some people very good results," said Dr. Jeffrey Haddad, a dentist in Rochester, Mich.
WDIV-TV in Detroit recruited a volunteer to put the strips to the test. The volunteer brushed her teeth first, then placed a strip on her teeth.
The directions instructed that she should keep the strip on for 30 minutes and use two strips a day for 14 days.
She also was instructed to use the strips on the top teeth first, and then on the bottom teeth.
Haddad said that the strips are safe and very effective. The only negative effect he pointed out was that some people may experience gum irritation with the strips.
The strips aren't custom fit for your teeth, therefore the gel can get on your gums.
"If you're doing the home-whitening system, make sure you're keeping it on the teeth and make sure that you're doing it for the prescribed amount of time. Just follow the directions," Haddad said.
When it comes to the strips or over-the-counter trays that require gel, Haddad said that they are all about the same and generally have the same outcome.
"They give a lot of people the results they're looking for. Other people who are looking for more of a drastic change should either have an in-house whitening at a dentist office or a take home-whitening system which gives them more of a drastic result," said Haddad.
The Crest Whitestrips cost about $40 retail, but sometimes with coupons and sales, you can buy them for as cheap as $25. Compare that cost to the teeth whitening done at the dentist, which can cost $600.
The take-home custom whitening from the dentist will cost you about $400.
How did the Crest Whitestrips work for our volunteer? She found there wasn't much of a difference.
"Many people get good results, but many people want a little bit more drastic results, and that's what we give them," Haddad said.
Haddad insisted that he's seen dramatic results with the Crest Whitestrips and that he believes it depends on the person's teeth.
The Crest company recommends that you whiten your upper teeth first, and if your teeth aren't noticably whiter, return the lower strips for a refund.
Additional Information:
Related Story:
A new product, Crest Whitestrips, can be found in drugstores in the toothpaste aisle.
The strips, which are made by Crest, guarantee that your teeth will be whiter in just 14 days.
But do they work and are they safe?
"The Whitestrips give some people very good results," said Dr. Jeffrey Haddad, a dentist in Rochester, Mich.
WDIV-TV in Detroit recruited a volunteer to put the strips to the test. The volunteer brushed her teeth first, then placed a strip on her teeth.
The directions instructed that she should keep the strip on for 30 minutes and use two strips a day for 14 days.
She also was instructed to use the strips on the top teeth first, and then on the bottom teeth.
Haddad said that the strips are safe and very effective. The only negative effect he pointed out was that some people may experience gum irritation with the strips.
The strips aren't custom fit for your teeth, therefore the gel can get on your gums.
"If you're doing the home-whitening system, make sure you're keeping it on the teeth and make sure that you're doing it for the prescribed amount of time. Just follow the directions," Haddad said.
When it comes to the strips or over-the-counter trays that require gel, Haddad said that they are all about the same and generally have the same outcome.
"They give a lot of people the results they're looking for. Other people who are looking for more of a drastic change should either have an in-house whitening at a dentist office or a take home-whitening system which gives them more of a drastic result," said Haddad.
The Crest Whitestrips cost about $40 retail, but sometimes with coupons and sales, you can buy them for as cheap as $25. Compare that cost to the teeth whitening done at the dentist, which can cost $600.
The take-home custom whitening from the dentist will cost you about $400.
How did the Crest Whitestrips work for our volunteer? She found there wasn't much of a difference.
"Many people get good results, but many people want a little bit more drastic results, and that's what we give them," Haddad said.
Haddad insisted that he's seen dramatic results with the Crest Whitestrips and that he believes it depends on the person's teeth.
The Crest company recommends that you whiten your upper teeth first, and if your teeth aren't noticably whiter, return the lower strips for a refund.
Additional Information:
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