I get what you mean about custom trays being less irritating, but honestly, the price tag is tough for me to justify.
Did you notice any difference between brands of strips? I’ve heard some are way harsher than others, but I’m not sure if that’s just marketing.“Custom trays let you control the gel amount and avoid your gums, which makes a big difference, though they’re pricier upfront.”
Did you notice any difference between brands of strips? I’ve heard some are way harsher than others, but I’m not sure if that’s just marketing.
I’ve actually tried a few different brands over the years because my teeth are pretty sensitive, and honestly, there’s a noticeable difference for me. The name brand ones (like Crest) didn’t sting as much as some of the cheaper generic ones I picked up once—those left my gums sore for days. Not sure if that’s just coincidence or if the formula really is milder.
I totally get what you mean about the upfront cost of custom trays being hard to swallow. I keep wondering if it would be worth it in the long run, especially since I tend to use strips less often because of the pain. Did you ever try spacing out your applications or using a sensitive toothpaste before and after? That helped a bit for me, but not enough to make strips totally comfortable.
Also curious—has anyone had luck with those “sensitive” whitening strips? Or is that just more clever packaging?
That’s been my experience too—some of the cheaper store brands felt like they were trying to bleach my soul, not just my teeth. Crest was definitely less harsh, though I still got that zappy feeling now and then. The “sensitive” strips? I gave those a shot, hoping for a miracle, but honestly, the difference was pretty minor for me. Maybe a little less tingling, but nothing dramatic.
Spacing out applications helped a little, but if I used them two days in a row, my teeth would start to ache. Sensitive toothpaste before and after is almost a must for me at this point. I’ve also tried putting Vaseline on my gums (sounds weird, but it helps shield them from the gel). Still debating if custom trays are worth the upfront pain… of the wallet.
If anyone figures out how to get whiter teeth without feeling like you licked a battery, let me know. Until then, I’m sticking with coffee stains and a smile.
I hear you on the battery-zap feeling. I tried those strips a couple years back—first the cheap ones, then the “sensitive” ones, then finally just gave up on all of them. Didn’t matter which kind, my teeth would throb for days after. I even tried cutting the strips smaller so they’d only hit my front teeth, but that just meant less pain and less whitening... not really a win.
These days, I just use baking soda every now and then. Not sure it does much, but at least it doesn’t make my mouth feel like it’s short-circuiting. Dentist once suggested professional trays too, but honestly, the price made my jaw drop harder than the pain ever did. Coffee stains are easier to live with than toothache for me.
If there’s a magic answer out there that doesn’t involve discomfort or spending a small fortune, I haven’t found it yet.
The “battery-zap” description is spot on—honestly, I hear that a lot. Did your dentist ever mention using a desensitizing gel before or after whitening? Sometimes that helps, but yeah, the cost for pro trays is wild. Have you noticed if certain foods make your teeth more sensitive after strips, or is it just the strips themselves?
