Question about Drugstore tooth whiteners

I would love to have my teeth whitened. The dentist price to do this is just out of my range. So I am wondering about the over the counter whiteners like Crest White Strips. What products have you used and were you satisfied with the results. Also are they safe.

Good question.  I looked it up and found an article from Boston University that is pretty good.

www.bu.edu/today/2012/the-truth-about-teeth-whiteners/

Be sure to read the comments and replies at the end of the article. 

I have a cousin who is a dentist, and he does all of my dental work. He said that I should not use whitening strips, and not even the whitening toothpaste, because it can cause sensitivity. The pain that you feel when you eat something sweet that is usually because of cavities- it can be permanent even if you have no cavities, if you have sensitive teeth.

He warmed me because I was obsessed with getting whiter teeth. He showed me how white my teeth actually are next to the whitest "model" tooth that he has and said my teeth are actually very white..they just don't look that way for some reason.  To me at least, they look off white. But I think that's because of the shade of white that they are and how that clashes with my skin tone.

I asked my doctor about making an appointment for whitening my teeth and he told me to not waste my money and that the ones you can buy in stores do just the same job, only cheaper. He recommended Crest White Strips for me.

My teeth tend to be sensitive, so I don't follow the instructions on the box. I think you are supposed to do it daily for 2 weeks. I tend to do it every other day, for a total of 7 times...basically 1/2 the box. I get good results.

I've used them but not regularly.  Like DH and I used the crest white strips before our wedding.  I'd like to do a round again; but I wouldn't do it all the time by any means.  I've not experienced sensitivity with the teeth that I used them on; but I'm still trying to be careful with my teeth because of problems I have had because of the way my teeth came in (straight but almost crowded in the back; I still have 2 baby teeth and a few molars are not "fully erupted" the dentist says.  I have no wisdom teeth either.).  

I've used Crest strips with good results. But I do have some sensitivity around some of my teeth, so I'm not sure I'd use Crest again now. Not because it didn't work; it did. It's just that my teeth have gotten sensitive over time.

A few years ago, our dentist had a great special on teeth-whitening. Rick and I both had our teeth whitened for the cost of what would have been for one of us. We both have dental insurance, but that doesn't cover cosmetic procedures, so we paid for it. It worked out very well. However, a million cups of coffee later, I probably could use it again now. If he does another "sale" I'd probably consider it again.