Totally get where you’re coming from on the custom trays. I went through that same cycle of over-the-counter stuff—strips, gels, even coconut oil pulling (which did nothing except make my mouth taste weird). The splotchiness and sensitivity were next-level. I remember literally wincing every time I tried to eat ice cream.
Custom trays felt like a splurge at first, but it’s wild how much control you have. I’m with you on using less gel than the instructions say… if I go full strength, my teeth start throbbing after two days. And being able to pause for a bit is such a game changer. I’ve got some receding gums on one side, so being able to skip days when things get tingly is honestly the only reason I stuck with it.
The in-office “instant white” thing seems overrated to me too. My cousin did one of those laser sessions before her wedding and she couldn’t eat hot or cold food for nearly a week. Looked great in photos, but she said it wasn’t worth the pain at all.
And yeah, coffee is my downfall too… tried quitting but just ended up cranky and tired. Now I do exactly what you mentioned—iced coffee through a straw like some kind of dental ninja. It helps, but honestly, stains still creep back eventually.
Curious if anyone’s ever had luck with those influencer kits? I keep seeing them everywhere and part of me wonders if there’s anything special about the light or if it’s just hype. Also, has anyone managed to whiten AND keep up with red wine? That’s my other nemesis and I haven’t figured out any tricks for that yet...
Those influencer kits are everywhere, right? I’m skeptical about the lights too—feels like the gel does most of the work, and the light’s just for show. Has anyone actually seen a difference with those compared to dentist trays? Also, red wine is brutal… I’ve tried rinsing after, but no luck so far.
I’ve tested both the influencer kits and custom trays from my dentist, and honestly, the trays worked better for me. The lights in those kits seem more like marketing than science—hydrogen peroxide’s really doing the heavy lifting. Red wine stains are tough... I’ve found using a straw sometimes helps, even though it looks a bit silly at dinner.
I totally get what you mean about the trays from the dentist—they just seem to fit better and do a more thorough job. I tried one of those influencer kits too (the blue light made me feel like I was prepping for a sci-fi movie), but honestly, my teeth didn’t look much different. The custom trays were a bit pricier, but I noticed results pretty quickly, especially on those stubborn coffee stains.
Red wine is my nemesis as well. I’ve done the straw thing at home, but out at dinner? That’s a level of confidence I haven’t reached yet... I usually just end up brushing as soon as I get home and hoping for the best. The hydrogen peroxide gels from the dentist are definitely stronger than anything over-the-counter, but sometimes they make my teeth a bit sensitive for a day or two. Worth it though—my smile looks way brighter now.
Funny how something as simple as what we drink can undo all that whitening work in no time.
