Are my teeth whiter yet?

Remember when I posted about this awesome teeth whitening kit I stumbled across at the drugstore? I was really excited to try it, because it had a little laser/light thing for my teeth, and it seemed pretty miraculous.

I was eager to use the kit, and show off my shiny new smile.

One day, I decided I was ready….. so out came the box and instruction reading commenced.

Match your color to a number

Match your color to a number

That was kind of easy….except after a few minutes all the shades seem to match, and yet not match.

floss and brush your teeth. No problem.

floss and brush your teeth. No problem.

So far so good. All things I’ve done before and seem to be doing well at.

First rinse with the "whitening accelerator"...

First rinse with the “whitening accelerator”…

The light, the light!! Yay!!

The light, the light!! Yay!!

Next steps include swishing with this liquid accelerator for 10 seconds. Then brushing each tooth with a layer of clear gel, and letting your teeth dry before your lips or tongue touch them. You have to wait 20 seconds before stuffing the light into your mouth, where it stays on for 2 minutes and turns off by itself.

I did not factor in that I have many children, who seem to require my constant attention and time, as well as my ability to yell at them at the drop of a hat. It is impossible to yell properly with a shiny laser/light thing shoved in your mouth.

I did not factor in the monotony of following the same steps over and over and over, before you can expect a result. It’s booooring. You must run through this process at least 10 times before seeing results, 20 times is recommended. Ugh.

I hadn’t considered the drool factor. Think Cujo.

Is it rabies, or is he whitening his teeth?? hitfix.com

Is it rabies, or is he whitening his teeth??
hitfix.com

So….. although it looked really simple, and it was technically easy…. I didn’t like it.

All the steps! Brush teeth, swish with the stuff, spit it out, brush on the gel, hold your lips away from your teeth while breathing heavily through your mouth-trying to dry your teeth, suck on the light for 2 minutes. Rinse, brush, repeat. Seemed like there should have been a salt shaker and a lemon wedge somewhere in that process….

So the first time I made it through 3 cycles and got sick of it. A week later, another 2 or 3. This past weekend, the day before my daughters graduation party…. 5 times baby!!!

I didn’t see a difference.

I think I’ve given up. Probably, I will stick to the white strips. I still don’t use them properly, one box has lasted me years because I also don’t ever seem to have the time to use them… but at least it’s only one step when I finally get around to it. Kind of bummed out I didn’t like the laser light more, but catching mouthfuls of drool in a towel as I held it in place seemed to really put a damper on it for me.

If you’ve tried this and actually finished it… I’d love to know your thoughts!

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Hello movie star smile!!

Oooohhh, sparkly whites!!   quoteimg.com

Oooohhh, sparkly whites!!
quoteimg.com

Have you ever tried to whiten your teeth at home?

I’m sure most of us have tried the at home “strips”, right? I have NEVER used them properly. First, I lack the patience to sit for the prescribed amount of time for each treatment. I’ve put them on, and then ripped them off 5 minutes later when I feel that horrible ZING shooting from my tooth into my skull.

I have never finished an entire box. I think my best record is using probably 10 strips over about 3 months time. I don’t know if they’ve worked or not….but psychologically I always feel better even after using one for just 10 minutes.

Haven’t used them in quite some time. Every time I go to Starbucks, or indulge in a cup of tea at home, I consider my pearly whites. I like having a white smile, how can I preserve it???

Enter my latest find.

well, look what caught my eye!

well, look what caught my eye!

I was walking through Walgreens, minding my own business, looking for rubbing alcohol. I think the little laser gun next to the smiling face distracted me. I looked closer….. on SALE for $34.00!!  Super fast teeth whitening with NO sensitivity??!!!

Is there even a question about purchasing this? I didn’t think so.

Now, of course I am skeptical. But it also looks really, really cool. And, it’s on sale.

I am on a mission to prove to myself and my fellow blogger if this kit really lives up to it’s claim. You’re welcome.

I’ve read all the directions. I can do a gazillion treatments in a row, slight chance of some gum irritation, or gum whiteness….but nothing that will last. That’s for the one day results. I can spread my treatments over a week. Whatever I want really. Bottom line seems to be 10 treatments for noticeable effect…. and up to 20 treatments for best effect. After that, I can keep the system, order replacements of whatever I need, and retreat a couple times a year.

Pretty stoked.

So here goes. I’m probably going to end up doing the week treatment, given my track record of follow through. I’ll post before and after, and you can be the judge. Then decide if you also need to have this amazing little wonder kit, or if  you can just save the money for more teeth-staining coffee 🙂

How weird that I am just now noticing my uneven lips when I smile? Here is the smile BEFORE...

How weird that I am just now noticing my uneven lips when I smile? Here is the smile BEFORE…