Crest Whitestrips are a convenient and popular option for whitening your teeth at home. Whether you are aiming for a brighter smile or addressing deeper stains, these strips can make a significant difference. However, to get the best results, it’s essential to know how to use them properly, especially if you have braces or if you are encountering issues with the product. Here’s everything you need to know to achieve the best results with Crest Whitestrips, including tips for braces, eating, and troubleshooting.

Can I Use Crest Whitestrips with Braces?

If you wear braces, you may be wondering whether you can use Crest Whitestrips without damaging your braces or teeth. The good news is that it’s possible, but there are some important considerations. crest whitening strips are designed to whiten the surface of your teeth, but because they don’t adhere perfectly to the brackets and wires of braces, they might not provide uniform results. For those with braces, the whitening strips will whiten the exposed surfaces of your teeth, but the areas covered by brackets may not be as effectively treated. Additionally, there’s a risk that the gel on the strips could come into contact with the wires and cause irritation. If you decide to use Crest Whitestrips with braces, it’s best to consult your orthodontist first for guidance and make sure you follow the instructions carefully. You may also want to wait until your braces are removed to achieve the most even whitening.

Can I Eat or Drink After Using Crest Whitestrips?

After using Crest Whitestrips, it’s best to wait before eating or drinking anything, especially if you’ve just whitened your teeth. The whitening gel temporarily softens the enamel of your teeth, making them more susceptible to stains from food or beverages. Here are a few guidelines:

• Wait at Least 30 Minutes: Ideally, wait about 30 minutes after using the strips before consuming anything. This allows your teeth to remineralize and prevents any potential staining from foods like coffee, tea, or red wine.

• Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: After using Crest Whitestrips, it’s best to avoid foods and drinks that are highly pigmented or acidic, such as coffee, tea, wine, or berries. These can cause new stains to form on your freshly whitened teeth.

• Drink Water: If you’re thirsty right after whitening, stick to water. Water won’t stain your teeth and will help rinse away any residual gel.

Crest Whitestrips Not Working, What to Do?

If you have been using crest teeth whitening strips and aren’t seeing the results you were hoping for, it’s important to troubleshoot and make adjustments. Here are some things to consider:

1. Check the Expiry Date: Make sure the strips you’re using aren’t expired. While they may still be effective for a short time after the expiration date, they may not give you the results you expect. Always use fresh strips for the best outcome.

2. Ensure Proper Application: The effectiveness of the strips depends on how well they adhere to your teeth. If the strips are slipping or not sticking properly, they won’t work as well. Make sure your teeth are dry before applying the strips, and avoid using them if your mouth is too wet.

3. Consistency is Key: Whitening is a gradual process. If you haven’t been using the strips consistently, try sticking to the recommended schedule for the full duration of the treatment. You may need to use them for a few weeks before seeing noticeable results.

4. Consider Stronger Options: If you're dealing with very stubborn stains, such as those caused by smoking or coffee, you may need to use a more intense whitening formula. Crest offers different strengths of Whitestrips, so consider trying a stronger version, like Crest 3D White Luxe Professional Effects, for more dramatic results.

5. Consult a Dentist: If you’ve followed all the instructions and still aren’t seeing results, it may be time to consult a dentist. There could be other factors at play, such as deep stains below the surface of your enamel, that over-the-counter products can’t address.

Conclusion

Crest Whitestrips can be an effective solution for brightening your smile, but achieving the best results depends on using them correctly, maintaining consistency, and being mindful of factors like your braces and post-treatment habits. While they can work with braces, it’s important to keep in mind that the whitening process may not be as uniform. Patience is key—continue using the strips as directed, avoid staining foods immediately afterward, and address any issues, such as improper application or expired strips, to ensure the best possible outcome. With a little care, you can enjoy a whiter, more confident smile.