Debra Lynn Dadd

Crest White Strips

QUESTION:

Hi Debra:
I've been wanting to ask you this for a while:
Crest White Strips, and/or other teeth whitening agents. Do you know anything about them? Are they safe? Can't really tell by ingredients as I remember, but didn't know if you had the inside scoop. I am most concerned as I do have an autoimmune illness that I have under control very well for the past twenty years and don't want to do anything stupid to mess things up.

I appreciate any advice from you and your readers.

Thanks.

POSTED BY DONNA :: MASSACHUSETTS USA :: 12/04/2006 5:52 PM

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

The ingredients listed on the box of Crest White Strips are water, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, carbomer 956, sodium hydroxide and sodium saccharin. These aren't particularly toxic in the amounts used. For example, sodium hydroxide is lye, which will burn right through your skin if you put a wet lye crystal on wet skin, but it is very diluted in this formula. Sodium saccharin used to be thought to cause cancer, but has since been found to be safe. Glycerin can be made from petrochemicals or vegetables. In this case, it's probably petrochemical.

Crest Whitestrips are thin, flexible strips coated with a tooth whitening gel, whose active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which is the same substance dentists use to whiten teeth. The reason you would use the strips instead of just putting hydrogen peroxide on your teeth is that the hydrogen peroxide needs to be held against the tooth for a period of time. The strips are designed to conform to the shape of your teeth, keeping the whitening gel on your teeth for 30 minutes at a time.

I don't find this product to be particularly toxic to the degree that I would recommend against it for an average person. That said, if the glycerin is made from petrochemicals, it might be something you might not want to risk with your autoimmune condition.

Readers, what are your recommendations for natural ways to keep teeth white?

Debra :-)

COMMENTS:

Hello,
I ran across your post from the newsletter. I am a retired Dental Hygienist and can tell you that the Crest Whitening strips are not toxic, but are relatively ineffective. I would also caution you as to what the strips themselves are made of.

Dentists use an extremely high concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide. It is known to cause severe sensitivity to hot and cold during treatment. Also, bleaching only works for about 6 months to 1 year then you have to have it re-done.

The products on the market really don't work very well. If you are wanting a brighter smile safely, I would suggest you limit your intake of dark staining foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, blueberry pie, red wine etc... as this is not realistic for most individuals (especially me!!) the alternative is to use a mild abrasive to remove surface stains. Baking Soda or Salt work great for this.

Also, you really shouldn't use toothpaste at all to "clean" your teeth. All toothpaste is is detergents to foam, some sodium fluoride to stregthen enamel, flavoring agents and preservatives. You actually clean your teeth better when you don't use toothpaste. Anyway, I digress, You would be safe using the strips, but in my "professional" opinion, it pretty much is a waste of money.

POSTED BY VIKKI H. :: OHIO USA :: 12/06/2006 7:39 AM

We use Sensodyne toothpaste with no reactions. My daughter switched a month and a half ago to their teeth whitening toothpaste with no trouble at all and her teeth are showing a remarkable brightness.

POSTED BY JUANITA :: ALBERTA CANADA :: 12/06/2006 9:39 AM

I have used the white strips and also was not thrilled with the ingredients. I was pleased with the results however and found that I did not need to use them as frequently as stated on the package. Initially twice daily for a few days, then I cut back to once for a few more days (rather than twice daily for 2 weeks). I used them again once (a single application) after 6-8 months. I'm sure it's different for each individual but I use one application a year now. Not bad!
Sadie

POSTED BY SADIE :: H USA :: 12/07/2006 10:18 AM

I use Desert Essence's Sparkling Sea tooth gel. It is really good, feels really clean, and is an excellent whitener : )

POSTED BY DEBBIE :: AZ USA :: 01/12/2007 4:51 PM

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