At Home Teeth Whitening

Here’s the truth: I’m self-conscious about my teeth! Your teeth are part of who you are and your smile says a lot about you, and yet, it is hard to smile with confidence when you don’t feel like your teeth are the best part of your smile.

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who didn’t wish to have whiter teeth. I have done a lot of different things to get whiter teeth, changed toothpaste, mouth wash, floss– I even went to the dentist for professional whitening sessions. One of the reasons I don’t get these treatments more often is because of the time it takes to get them done. If you’re like me, and you struggle to find an extra hour everyday to workout or run errands, then you know that making time to go sit in a chair at the dentist for whiter teeth is out of the question. That’s why I am whitening my teeth at-home, as a part of my daily routine, and on my own time; no appointment needed. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ARC. The opinions and text are all mine.

Why you should avoid DIY at home teeth whitening mixes

For someone who lives on-the-go like I do, an at-home teeth whitening solution makes the most sense for my schedule. When you think at-home teeth whitening, you might be thinking of a “Do It Yourself” solution or whitening paste. I do try to use as many DIY items as I can in my beauty routine. However, I take my dental care very seriously and I avoid DIY At-Home Teeth Whitening Solutions because of the potential damage to my teeth.

You might be surprised to hear a list of some of the things that people have tried including in their home brew teeth whitening solutions hoping to make their teeth just a shade or two whiter: pomegranate, lemon, lavender, and even BLEACH (OMG!) to name a few. I don’t think I need to spell out for you why you shouldn’t put bleach on your teeth…  These ingredients and others commonly used in homemade whitening pastes contain harmful acids that wear away at the protective enamel that surrounds your teeth. This enamel is hard and protective, however, it can be worn down by a strong or consistent application of acidic foods or substances. Teeth aren’t actually bones, and enamel doesn’t grow back the way bones do. That’s why taking care of the teeth you have is so, so important and you should only use things on your teeth that have been tested and approved by dental professionals.

Just because something smells nice, or is a cleaning/whitening agent, does not mean it’s healthy for your teeth. Your teeth are surprisingly sensitive, and you should be very selective about what you put on them because they’re the only teeth you get!

Dentist-Approved At-home Teeth Whitening Treatment

So what will I use on my teeth for at home whitening? Well, my first priority is something that works. It also needs to be something I can apply myself that won’t take up too much of my time. I also don’t want to use anything that will damage or hurt my teeth. Heaven knows I’ve already dealt with enough mouth pain. And lastly, the ingredients should be things that are both natural, and promote dental health.

With those things in mind, I am partnering with ARC, at-home teeth whitening strips and blue light.

My Review of ARC Whitening Strips & LED Blue Light

Easy to Use 4/5

All you need to do is apply the whitening strips for 30 minutes and keep the blue light on them for the last 5 minutes. The blue light activates the whitening solution and speeds up the whitening process. Getting the strips on is the hardest part. I am a perfectionist, so I wanted to make sure they were on straight and that took a little practice for me. After the first couple of days, I was able to consistently put the strips on quickly and straight.

Using the blue light is easy, and only mildly inconvenient. I would say much less inconvenient than driving to the dentist, sitting in the waiting room, as well as having to make an appointment over the phone (which I hate to do). All in all, it was easier than I thought it would be but not unrealistically easy. It’s something I can do while watching TV or working on the computer!

How My Teeth Felt After Using at Home Whitening Strips 4/5

As I mentioned before, I have had whitening treatments done before. The process is similar, and your teeth feel a little sensitive by the end. I felt that sensitivity towards the end of the treatments usually, I knew from experience that this means the solution is being activated and it is working. So, the sensitivity was a positive indicator for me because that’s what I was expecting. The strips did not cause extreme sensitivity during or after the treatments, though!

Results- 5/5

You should expect to notice your results within the first three days. My teeth looked whiter and that’s pretty awesome, and I am including some photos for you to see the difference!

Remember, you will get better results the more consistent you are, and using the whitening system for 30 minutes daily is what will yield the best results.

Whitening Strips Before and After Photos

You can see the difference in my before, after one use, and after four uses! Note the difference in the front teeth!

Discount Code for ARC Whitening Strips

If you are interested in trying the ARC Whitening Strips and LED Blue Light I would love to get you a discount so you can have whiter teeth! Follow this link and use code: ARCxLauryn for $15 off your purchase!