Whitening strips have been one of the most popular methods for brightening smiles since they hit the market over two decades ago. They let customers color correct their teeth without needing to measure out gel, wear bulky trays, or structure their time around the whitening process.
There’s a lot to love about whitening strips. But what about Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth in particular? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this product — the good and the bad.
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Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth at a Glance
Your smile is important not just to your confidence, but to your overall health. So when choosing a dental product, it’s comforting to know that you’re getting one backed by the research and expertise of an industry giant. And few companies can match Crest’s clout.
Since 1962, Crest has been one of the top-selling brands for toothpaste and whitening products in the United States. Their size and profits have empowered them to invest heavily in research and development, allowing them to consistently update and innovate with products like Whitestrips.
The original Crest Whitestrips hit the market in 2001, transforming the way people think about cosmetic dentistry. While at-home whitening kits were available before this, they were expensive, difficult, and prescription-only. Crest Whitestrips have always been over-the-counter, and they’re extremely easy to use.
There are no trays or syringes filled with gel. All you need to do is peel off the strip, place it on their clean, dry teeth, and leave it on for as long as directed. Unfortunately, the Whitestrips caused a lot of sensitivity for many users.
As always, Crest sought to innovate and they created 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth. This formula is mostly the same as their primary one, just tweaked a bit to reduce or eliminate pain and irritation. It uses less peroxide, uses gentle supporting ingredients, and requires just 30 minutes of wear time.
Unlike some specialty whitening strips, Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth are easy to find. They’re sold online and in store, so you can add them to your cart while browsing online or walking the aisles.
Pros & Cons
We are big fans of Crest Whitestrips, and the fact that they offer a formula for sensitive teeth is a huge bonus. However, no whitening product is 100% perfect. Here are the top benefits and drawbacks of using Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth.
Pros
- While some whitening strips can make your teeth sensitive, Crest designed their Whitestrips to reduce or eliminate post-treatment sensitivity.
- They’re extremely easy to use, since you can wear them on the go or while doing other things, then simply throw them away afterward.
- Crest has been creating quality dental products for over half a century, and they created their Whitestrips in 2001, so they’ve had decades to research the formula and perfect their product design.
- You can purchase them online, plus many big box stores (like Walmart) and almost any pharmacy.
- They’re less intrusive than whitening trays, plus more effective than pens, since they hold the gel on your teeth.
Cons
- Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth use a weaker formula than other Crest Whitestrips, so they might not be as effective.
- Some customers say they don’t like the taste.
- Crest’s Advanced Seal technology keeps the strips from sliding around on your teeth, but customers have reported that it also makes them difficult to remove.
Are Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Worth It?
For anyone who values the experience and resources of a powerhouse brand, but has some dental sensitivity, Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth are a great fit — as long as you don’t mind a slightly less drastic whitening boost.
Effectiveness
Pause for a moment and think about the features you want in your whitening strips. Effectiveness is pretty high up there, right? After all, taste, price, and convenience don’t matter much if they don’t whiten your teeth.
Luckily, Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth typically perform well. You could see initial results after just a couple of days. Most people notice the biggest difference in the first week of treatment, and the second week just slightly improves the results. That’s why a lot of customers only whiten for one week at a time, then complete a second round 3–6 months later. However, there is nothing wrong with going the full 14 days either. According to Crest, you can use two full kits a year without causing sensitivity.
The driving force behind Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth’s power is hydrogen peroxide. This is the most common whitening agent used in at-home teeth whitening kits, and it’s also the agent of choice for most dentist-directed treatments. However, the 5.25% concentration in these strips is lower than other Crest Whitestrips, which use strengths that range from 6.5% to 14%, and professional kits, which can have as much as a 40% concentration.
Even so, lower peroxide concentrations can still deliver results, plus they’re gentler on sensitive teeth. So, depending on your teeth, you might find that this trade-off is worth it.
Affordability
Professional, in-office whitening is the gold standard for whiter, brighter smiles. With the right system, you can get full results in a single session. Yet many adults opt for at-home options instead. Why? The price!
In-office whitening starts at around $300 and can hit four figures depending on the treatment you select and the cost of living in your area. Compare that to the $35–$50 price tag of Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth (depending on where you purchase them) and it is obvious that Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth offers huge savings.
Each Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth kit contains 28 strips (14 upper and 14 lower), enough for 14 whitening sessions. Though its price tag can fluctuate, this kit is typically priced slightly higher than its whitening strip competitors. That said, sales and subscriptions through third party retailers like Amazon can bring the price way down.
They aren’t the cheapest option on the market, but Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth still represents a solid value — especially compared to the high prices of professional whitening.
Quality of Ingredients
With decades behind them and millions of loyal customers, we know that Crest Whitestrips are effective at whitening teeth. And behind that effectiveness are their top-notch ingredients.
The vast majority of whitening products use some form of peroxide to whiten the teeth — either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — which works by oxidizing the tooth’s organic matrix, then breaking down stain molecules. Crest uses hydrogen peroxide in their Whitestrips, which is more potent than carbamide peroxide.
Usually, Crest uses a hydrogen peroxide concentration of at least 6.5%. However, in this product, they reduce that concentration to just 5.25%. This means it doesn’t have quite the same whitening power as other whitening strips, but it’s much better for sensitive teeth, since peroxide-based whitening may cause additional sensitivity.
In addition to hydrogen peroxide, Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth also use the following ingredients:
- PVP
- Water
- PEG-8
- Acrylates Copolymer
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Sodium Saccharin
These ingredients are generally pretty standard for whitening products, though some are more specific to strips, which need extra ingredients to adhere to the teeth. Overall, it’s a proven formula and one that’s accessible to a wide variety of customers.
Convenience
Any whitening product is going to require some time out of your daily schedule. Ideally, you want an option that’s fast and easy to apply, allows you to go about your life while wearing it, and requires minimal clean-up afterward. All whitening strips are designed for maximum convenience, and Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth are no different.
Using the kit is incredibly easy. You start by brushing your teeth, then flossing to remove any particles that could lead to uneven whitening. After this, you rinse your mouth and wait 30 minutes — enough time for your toothpaste residue to dissolve, so it won’t prevent the whitening agent from accessing the pores of your teeth.
Once these 30 minutes are up, dry your teeth with a washcloth or by sucking in air through your teeth. Then, keep your mouth open to stop the teeth from getting wet again. Open the whitening strips, place them on your teeth, ensuring they do not touch the gums, then spend the next 30 minutes doing whatever you need to do. You can talk and even drink water while wearing them. Just avoid eating and drinking sweetened or colored beverages.
After 30 minutes, just pull off the strips, toss them in the trash, and rinse your mouth to get rid of any excess gel. For best results, you should avoid eating or brushing your teeth for about 20 minutes after you remove the strips. Other than that, you don’t have to do anything special.
It’s also simple to use these whitening strips while on the go. You can pop a single package into your bag each day, or if traveling, store the whole box in your suitcase. They keep things simple by design.
Comfort
We’ll be honest — whitening your teeth is never 100% comfortable. It always involves a foreign object in your mouth, which can feel a little funny at the very least. The good news is that whitening strips are one of the least invasive at-home whitening treatments. Compare a thin strip on your teeth to sitting in the dentist’s chair with a smile stretcher in place for 30 minutes or longer.
However, within the world of whitening strips, some products are more comfortable than others. In our research, we found that Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth were among the most comfortable whitening products.
These strips are formulated for sensitive teeth. The number one complaint most customers have about regular Crest Whitestrips is that they cause tooth sensitivity or pain, which can be pretty severe. So this is a major bonus.
Then there’s Crest’s Advanced Seal Technology, which is standard in Crest strips, but not in those from other companies. It prevents the strips from slipping and sliding on the teeth, which can be awkward and can even cause the gel to get on the gums, causing pain. Customers have reported struggles getting other whitening strips to stay on their teeth, but thanks to this technology, Crest says their strips stay firmly in place.
Finally, the strips mold pretty much perfectly to your teeth and come off cleanly when you remove them, leaving minimal, harmless residue behind. You can rinse your mouth multiple times to remove it or just leave it. It will dissolve over the next 20 minutes.
What Are Customers Saying?
Overall, people who used Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth are happy with their results and their experience as a whole. Customers often rave about the fact that this product rarely ever causes sensitivity. Many people noted that other whitening strips left their teeth so sensitive, they could barely eat, yet these caused very minimal sensitivity.
Another common customer praise is that these strips aren’t as messy as many competitors, even within the Crest brand. They come off cleanly and leave very little gel behind.
The primary complaint we found was that the whitening strength in these strips is less than other Crest products. Quite a few customers who have used both stated their teeth did not get as white with the Sensitive Teeth Whitestrips. However, they usually felt that the reduced discomfort was worth the slightly diminished results.
Final Thoughts
If a brighter, whiter smile is your goal but you have sensitive teeth and gums, Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth might be the ideal product for you. These strips are effective, easy to use, and comfortable, all while minimizing or even eliminating the sensitivity that is common among teeth whitening treatments.
Of course, it isn’t your only option. Check out our review of the best whitening kits for sensitive teeth to compare the best products available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do whitening strips work?
The strips contain a safe, temporary adhesive that sticks them to the teeth, conforming to their shape. This allows the gel’s whitening agent to coat the teeth, opening the pores of the teeth and bleaching set-in and surface stains.
Is it better to get my twice-yearly dental cleaning before or after using whitening strips?
Before is best. This ensures you don’t have plaque and tartar between the whitening agent and your teeth, which can produce uneven results.
Does whitening the teeth damage the enamel?
If you follow the directions on your whitening strips and have healthy teeth, whitening your teeth should not result in any enamel damage.
What are the different types of teeth stains?
The first are external teeth stains — stains on the outer surfaces of the teeth — which whitening products remove quite well. Internal teeth stains are just below the surface, occurring when staining particles get into the pores of the teeth. Some whitening products can remove these stains, depending on how deep they’ve penetrated the enamel. Age-related stains can be external or internal. They can also be the result of thinning enamel and darkening dentin, both of which are issues that whitening products cannot correct.
Is it possible to whiten teeth when you have a fixed appliance?
Technically, you can, but with braces that attach to the front of the teeth, we wouldn’t recommend it. The whitening gel can’t get underneath the brackets, so once braces come off, the whitening will be uneven. If you go with whitening strips, the adhesive could also cause issues with your braces. With appliances on the backs of the teeth, the decision is a matter of personal preference, but we suggest you speak to your dentist or orthodontist first.
Can I whiten more often than the instructions indicate to see results sooner?
No. This risks damaging the enamel and will cause tooth sensitivity even when using a sensitivity-free formula.
Are white spots on the teeth a sign of enamel damage from whitening?
Not at all. They are temporary and do not indicate any harm to your teeth. These spots are caused by enamel dehydration, which is normal with whitening. Once you finish treatment, the teeth will rehydrate and you’ll have whiter, evenly colored teeth.
Is it normal to experience foaming saliva when wearing whitening strips?
While this doesn’t happen to everyone, it’s a somewhat common occurrence, and it’s completely natural. This is just a reaction between your saliva and the whitening agent in the strips. If you’ve used peroxide for cleaning wounds, you know that it can foam when it comes into contact with certain substances. This includes saliva.
What are strategies I can use to keep my teeth whiter for longer after whitening?
We suggest you try the following:
- Drink staining beverages through a straw to avoid contact with the fronts of the teeth.
- Limit your consumption of heavily staining foods like berries.
- Rinse your mouth with water every time you eat or drink.
- Make water your primary beverage and drink it throughout the day.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day.
- Use a whitening toothpaste.
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker.
What time of day should I whiten my teeth?
Before bed is best. Right after whitening your teeth, the pores remain open, which makes it easier for them to stain all over again. If you whiten, then go to sleep, you’ll have enough hours before eating and drinking again to prevent this.
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