How do you apply crest white strips

How do you apply crest white strips

  • Posted on 19/08/2022

Crest Whitestrips are an over-the-counter teeth whitening system you can use at home. Short of professional teeth whitening by a dentist, they are one of the safest and easiest ways to whiten your natural teeth. 

If you’ve decided it’s time for a whiter smile, but aren’t quite sure how to start, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on using Crest Whitestrips and answer all your questions along the way.

Key Takeaways

  • Crest Whitestrips are easy to apply using our step-by-step teeth whitening instructions.

  • There is a variety of Crest Whitestrips to choose from depending on your requirements.

  • The ADA approves Whitestrips as a safe and effective at-home teeth whitening method.

  • For best results, use the whitening strips every day for the amount of time specified in the teeth whitening instructions.

What Are Crest Whitestrips?

Crest first introduced their line of Whitestrips as an at-home teeth whitening system in 2001. The product primarily consists of a disposable plastic liner containing enamel-safe gel that users place on the teeth. There are several different varieties of whitening strips available today, but all of them have a similar product makeup, using a whitening gel that contains hydrogen peroxide [1].

The 3D range of Whitestrips was introduced in 2010 with slightly more advanced technology than the original. 3D Whitestrips are non-slip with a longer strip to whiten more teeth evenly. The shorter strip in the original Whitestrips only allowed whitening of the front teeth. 

Crest 3D White Strips Professional Effects

If your goal is to obtain a professional-quality whiter smile, Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects is designed to help you do that. These strips need to be applied once a day for 30 minutes for 20 days. Your results will last up to a year after treatment.

Crest 3D Noticeably White Whitestrips 

Noticeably White Whitestrips stay on your teeth for 30 minutes per day for 10 days to achieve results. These strips have a relatively high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, so they are not the best whitening strips for those with sensitive teeth.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1-Hour Express

Crest’s 1-hour Express whitening strips provide fast results when you need a little extra whitening at the last minute. These strips remove stains and provide noticeable same-day results.

Crest 3D White Gentle Routine Whitestrips

If you experience sensitive teeth from whitening products, Crest’s Gentle line of Whitestrips is ideal. These strips go on your teeth for only five minutes a day and start to show results after 28 days.

Crest 3D White Classic Vivid Whitestrips

Crest 3D White Classic Vivid Whitestrips are a no-nonsense solution to teeth whitening. They require two 30-minute applications per day for 14 days.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Vivid Plus

Vivid Plus strips require once-daily whitening treatments for full results in 10 days.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips Supreme Flexfit

These teeth whitening strips can be worn as on-the-go teeth due to the FlexFit teeth molding technology. They should be worn for one hour a day and results will last 18 months and beyond.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive`

The Sensitive line is similar to Whitestrips Gentle and designed to decrease tooth sensitivity.

Crest 3D Whitestrips With Light

These original Crest 3D Whitestrips come with an LED accelerator light to whiten teeth dramatically for up to 36 months. 

Are Crest Whitestrips Safe?

Crest Whitestrips are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a safe product that is effective for teeth whitening when used according to the manufacturer’s whitening instructions [2].

At-home whitening treatments are designed for occasional use. If you use them too frequently or don’t use them correctly, they can cause damage to your teeth and gums.

Summary

Crest Whitestrips are plastic teeth whitening strips coated with a bleaching agent to remove surface stains and whiten teeth. There are a variety of different types available such as express treatments and those formulated to reduce sensitivity.

Crest Whitestrips Comparison Chart

How do you apply crest white strips

How Do You Use Crest Whitestrips?

Using Crest teeth whitening strips is easy, simply follow these steps:

  1. Start with a clean mouth.
  2. Peel strips.
  3. Apply strips.
  4. Leave on for the specified amount of time in your Crest Whitestrips instructions.
  5. Use the LED accelerator if you have it.
  6. Enjoy your smile.

Start With a Clean Mouth

Avoid using toothpaste prior to applying Crest Whitestrips for the best results. Brushing your teeth before using a whitening strip will heighten sensitivity during the whitening treatment. Before applying your strips, brush your teeth with water and rinse your mouth.

Peel Strips

Remove the upper and lower strip from the film. Strips without FlexFit don’t mold to your teeth, but they adhere nicely to the surface using Crest’s advanced seal technology. Crest’s FlexFit products gently mold to your teeth so you can whiten on the go.

Apply Strips

Carefully apply each whitening strip to your top teeth and lower teeth, with the gel side facing your teeth. Fold each strip along the edge of your teeth and press down. Try not to let the strip touch your gums, as the bleaching agent can cause irritation.

How Long Do You Leave Crest Whitestrips On?

Crest Whitestrips have application times between 5 and 30 minutes. The time required to make your teeth white varies between products, so be sure to read the teeth whitening instructions that come with your strips.

Use LED Accelerator

If your Crest Whitestrips whitening kit comes with an LED accelerator light, you can speed up the whitening process by using it once your strips are applied. Wear your strips for the full application time as directed on the package, then boost your whitening effects with the blue light device. All you need to do is turn the LED accelerator light on and hold it against your teeth until the light goes out. This takes about five minutes, and the device will turn off automatically.

Enjoy Your Smile

Once the required amount of time has passed, carefully unfold and remove each strip to enjoy your new pearly whites. 

Crest Whitestrips: Instructions After Use

How do you apply crest white strips

Once you have removed your strips, you can rinse your mouth with water or coconut oil. Dispose of your used strips carefully, with the gel side down, and wrap them in a paper towel to ensure they don’t come in contact with anything.

To maintain a brighter smile long-term, daily flossing and brushing combined with a regular dental cleaning schedule will help prevent new stains from forming. It is also important to have regular visits with a licensed dentist as part of your complete oral care routine.

Do I Brush My Teeth After I Use Crest Whitestrips?

No. It is not recommended to use toothpaste right after using your whitening strips, as you risk pushing the abrasive whitening chemicals into the enamel of your teeth.

How Often to Use Crest Whitestrips?

Always thoroughly read the instructions to determine how often you should wear your Crest White Strips. The limits are clearly written in the teeth whitening instructions—some White Strips products allow for only one application per day, while others recommend two.

The length of time your whitening process will last depends on the product you choose. Some treatments last for one week, while others last for a month. 

Do I Use Crest Whitestrips Every Day?

Crest Whitestrips can be applied on a daily basis until you achieve the desired level of whitening. Some products can be applied twice a day. The instructions in your whitening kit will tell you how often you can safely apply them.

Summary

Read the instructions with your Crest Whitestrips carefully to determine how long to wear them and how often you can safely apply them to your teeth.

General Tips for Using Whitening Strips

To make sure you get maximum whitening power out of your Crest Whitestrips, follow these tips:

How do you apply crest white strips

  • Don’t use toothpaste immediately before or after applying Whitestrips. Since you do need to start with a clean mouth, brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush before applying the teeth whitening strips.
  • Use a whitening strip every day, but not for longer than the Crest Whitestrips instructions tell you to; this time ranges from seven days to 30 days. 
  • Speak with a licensed dentist about how often to whiten your teeth, but a good rule of thumb is to complete a full whitening routine once per year [3].
  • Make sure you don’t touch your gum line when you apply the Whitestrips. The chemicals used to remove stains in your teeth can damage the soft tissue.
  • Apply whitening strips evenly on the upper teeth and lower teeth. They will only whiten the areas they are in contact with, so if you place them unevenly, you will also whiten unevenly.
  • After applying the whitening strips, avoid food and beverages that can stain your teeth for at least two hours after the application. The pores in your teeth are open after a whitening treatment, making them more susceptible to stains [3].
  • To maintain your newly white teeth for longer, swap out your regular toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash with products that contain whitening ingredients.
  • Consult a dental professional if you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening.

Summary

Applying your Crest Whitestrips evenly and carefully will help you avoid unpleasant side effects. It’s important to avoid staining foods and beverages after whitening treatments.

FAQ

This section will answer any remaining questions you might have about how to get maximum whitening results from your Crest whitening strips.

Conclusion

Crest Whitestrips are an affordable, easy-to-use product for whitening your teeth at home. This product has been deemed safe and effective by the ADA council. While there can be some mild side effects to their use, such as gum irritation, these can be avoided by applying the strips carefully and avoiding contact with the gum line.

References:

  1. RW;, García-Godoy F;Villalta P;Barker ML;Gerlach. “Placebo-Controlled, 6-Week Clinical Trial on the Safety and Efficacy of a Low-Gel, 14% Hydrogen-Peroxide Whitening Strip.” Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995), U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15645891/.
  2. “Crest 3D White Whitestrips.” American Dental Association, https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-search/a065e000007A36zAAC/crest-3d-white-whitestrips.
  3. Carey, Clifton M. “Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know.” Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice, Mosby, 13 Feb. 2014, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1532338214000499.

Do you brush your teeth after using Crest White Strips?

It's safe to brush and floss your teeth after using whitening strips. It won't reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing so gently. This will help you avoid gum irritation and discomfort.

Do I put on my white strip before or after brushing my teeth?

We recommend that with any form of whitening that teeth are brushed beforehand. This is to ensure that any plaque (this sticky surface layer on your teeth) is removed and that any whitening agent present in the strips or gel gets the closest contact with the teeth.

How long do you leave White Crest strips in?

The strips are applied to upper and lower teeth, once a day, for up to 30 minutes. Depending on the specific Crest 3D White Whitestrips product chosen, strips should be applied daily for anywhere from 10 to 20 consecutive days.