You may recall from my post last Monday that one of the subtle changes I am looking to make to my appearance this year is to whiten my teeth.  I am looking for an easy, affordable option that will get results and allow me to maintain the whitening on an ongoing basis.  Something that will help me look like the photo on the right:

I have tried many different products since the late 1990’s with varying effects.  In 1999, I had custom whitening trays made through my dentist who recommended a bleach/peroxide solution be used daily until I received the desired level of whitening.  I’ve used this method off and on throughout the last 10 plus years, but…

I HATE wearing the trays!  You’re supposed to wear them several times a week for up to 2 hours.  For one thing, I am not always home at night.  Using the trays during the day is not an option for me because I need to be available to answer and return phone calls at any time.  In addition to being difficult to talk with the trays in, they are quite uncomfortable, and forget about snacking!  (Ok, I shouldn’t be doing this at night anyway, so I guess that is a plus!)  Not to mention, using the trays in the evening completely interferes with cocktail time!

I did manage to find a toothpaste that I could use daily to whiten, but I feel like at this point, it is only maintaining my current level of white and not making my teeth any whiter.  Did I mention that I love coffee?  Yep, at least 3 cups every day.  So, here I am, looking for a great product that simply may not exist.

Or maybe it does…today I received an e-mail about a new line of products from Crest and Oral B called Crest 3D White. 

From the Crest 3D White website:  Available for pre-order on February 1st, Crest 3D White is a collection of products that work together to give you a brighter smile.  There are three basis steps in the collection:  1)  Whiten with Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects.  2)  Clean with 3D White Vivid Toothpaste to give you whiter teeth by removing surface stains, while using the Oral-B 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush removes plaque buildup on a daily basis, helping to maintain your beautiful smile.  3)  Protect with Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse.  Added to your brushing routine, you’re actually protecting your teeth against future stains, helping to ensure your 3D White smile stays that way.

The thing that interests me most about this product line is the claim that you can see professional quality results in only 3 days of using the strips, which you wear for 30 minutes at a time.  Even I can do that!

The Crest 3D White website also directs you to their 3D White facebook page where they have a nifty little app to whiten your teeth in any facebook photo.  What you see above is the comparison between my before and after pictures.

What whitening products are you currently using?  Are you pleased with the results?  Share your thoughts with other wedding & event planners in the comments below!