Whiten For the Weekend
Jessica Wagner
Smile Brilliant: Teeth Whitening At Home For Sensitive Teeth
Hey guys! I am so excited to share this post - I am literally - ALL SMILES - and I want you to be too! So be sure to enter to win a FREE Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Kit at the end of this post!!
You might remember me talking about receiving my teeth whitening system compliments of Smile Brilliant during the holidays. Well today I am here to share my experience and brilliant results.
WHY WHITEN:
First, let me tell you guys I love to smile - and I am a toothy smile-er. I’ve always had a big grin. The kind that eats up your eyes and fills your whole mouth. While I’ve figured out how to tone it down a bit when I need to, the one aspect of my toothy twinkle I don’t want to downplay is the brightness of my teeth.
That being said, I find a smile one of the first things I notice about a person. A set of pearly whites can add instant charm. Bring on a big tooth gap, a cute overbite and off-track teeth -all which I find adorable- as long as they aren’t stained and yellow. Right?! I personally don’t think teeth need to be perfectly straight to be attractive. If anything, a unique mouth will set you apart (enter weakness for dimples and crooked smiles – cough cough Milo Ventimiglia from This Is Us!) What I do think can make a big impression, in a great way is a megawatt sparkly grin. And I am here to tell you I myself am guilty of not maintaining this aspect of self-care.
The last time I truly hard-core whitened my teeth was over 7 years ago before our wedding. I knooooww. That’s a long time. Back then I knew was going to be in the spotlight, and avidly used Crest White Strips with decent results. I loved my whiter teeth, hated the sensitivity. While I know technology has advanced, I feel like this is a big reason I haven’t really whitened my teeth again for so long.
Over the last few of years I have picked up a box of strips here or there, and usually split them with Rob, or just let them sort of sit in the bathroom drawer.
Like every other woman out there I LOVE my coffee and red wine (and rosé), but I don’t love the stains they leave behind on my teeth, so I could really use an upgrade. I told Smile Brilliant to set me up to achieve a couple shades lighter when it comes time to smile.
STEP 1: Choose Your Whitening Plan.
You will want to choose the right system for you. Smile Brilliant has number of sensitivity options and kits at a variety of price points.
I choose the “T3 Sensitive System (Custom-Fitted Trays + 3 Whitening & Desensitizing Gel Syringes.)”
After placing you order, you will then receive your kit, and follow the directions to create your custom teeth whitening trays with their putty. I found their explanation super easy to follow. It took me abut 20 minutes to make your dental impressions and was able to ship my molds back to them the same week!
They let you know ahead of time, it can take up to two weeks to receive your trays back, just so you are aware. I quickly received my custom fitting trays and started using them immediately.
Even if your teeth are crooked (like mine) these trays will still work for you because they are custom fit to your mouth. They are made to fit your teeth perfectly. Every nook and cranny in your smile is cast into the clay mold that you send back to Smile Brilliant. So whether your teeth are straight or not, your tray is custom fitted to your mouth, meaning the whitening gel will touch every part of your teeth.
STEP 2: Whiten While You… (Fill In The Blank)
Basically these trays are amazing you guys! I love that they are clear - making them almost invisible. I can wear them while I get ready. I am a busy mama, and if you guys are like me you have 100+ things going on, so I found that using my trays after I showered was my best routine.
Honestly at first, the hardest part for me was remember to use them! I was so excited when my trays arrived. I used them and then promptly forgot about them. Given it was the week before Christmas, so chaos was rampant in the Wagner household. Knowing I wanted fast results and that I wanted to be able to share my story, I decided to make whitening part of my daily routine. I wanted to get quick results to be able to make a big impact, not juts a slight difference over time.
Since then I have worn my trays out shopping, and running the kids around town, while working at the coffee shop, and at night binge watching season 2 of The Crown (OMG it’s sooo good!) I have actually showered with them on (which I don’t recommend because I kept getting water in my mouth - but hey you do what you have to do!) I found whitening during the day after breakfast or in the evening after the kids were in bed the best for my schedule.
They are a little awkward, but not uncomfortable. I just felt like they made my lips puff out a little bit. So if you feel weird wearing them out, remember you can be working on that “smize” while working on your smile! I love this whitening kit. Also, you aren’t supposed to eat/drink after using the desensitizing gel for ½ an hour so keep that in mind!
Wearing my custom Smile Brilliant trays.
Tips For Best Results:
Smile Brilliant recommends you wear your trays for 45 minutes - 3 hours. I usually wore mine about an hour because I would get hungry or thirsty. So if you are trying to make a habit out of wearing them, work around your eating schedule. (#priorities)
If you get the kit with the desensitizing gel, (you wear that for 15 minutes after you whiten) it says to avoid eating/drinking for another ½ hour after that! So I am the type of person who eats little meals all day and this was a challenge for me. I drink water like it’s my J-O-B so I would get thirsty and they usually triggered me to realize, ok time to take these out.
If you have sensitive teeth, get the gel! It worked wonders for me. The first use I had really intense sensitivity in my front lower teeth, like a sharp pain but that was the only time. Not sure why, but I used the desensitizing gel after that and I haven’t had any other issues. I also would stick to every other day use to avoid sensitivity.
REVIEW / FINAL THOUGHTS:
The biggest problem I’ve run into with whitening in the past was sensitivity and uneven whitening. Like any whitening system, I did experience some sensitivity, even with the desensitizing gel. Mostly on the bottom teeth in the middle. I made it a point to go lighter with the gel in that area. I had no problems with uneven whitening.
I totally plan to continue using my whitening trays once a week for maintenance {and to hide all the coffee // wine I drink!) Also, if I know I have a big event coming up, I will probably use my whitening trays a couple days leading up to the event for an even brighter smile.
I am loving my whiter smile and how quickly I saw results! Like I said, it was a little tricky to keep on a strict routine over the holidays, but now that we have structure back in our days, I’m finding it easier to maintain use.
The best part?! Now my smile is weekend ready!
RESULTS:
Here are my before and after results. If you want a kit for yourself, Smile Brilliant is offering a 15% off site wide coupon with code: weekenderafashionfieldguide15
>>ENTER HERE TO WIN!<<
Smile Brilliant and I have teamed up to give one lucky winner a chance to win a teeth whitening kit of their own!! The winner will be selected by Smile Brilliant, just click here or the link below!
(Open to USA, UK, Australia, and Canadian residents. Giveaway closes 3-10-18).
www.smilebrilliant.com/g/weekenderafashionfieldguide
This post is in collaboration with Smile Brilliant.
All opinions are 100% my own.