I am a sucker for a free sample, so when I recently came across a free sample of the new Listerine Whitening strips on the Internet, of course I had to sign up! These teeth whitening strips are called ‘Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips’ and their claim to fame is that the strips will not only whiten your teeth, but kill germs in your mouth that cause bad breath. The strips are supposed to dissolve within 5-10 minutes of application with no mess to clean up and nothing to remove from your mouth. As excited as I was that the sample came so quickly, I brushed my teeth and gave them a try.
The directions do not say that you need to brush your teeth first, but respectfully, I wanted to get the full effect of these teeth whitening strips, so naturally, starting with a fresh clean slate seemed to make the most sense. After opening the package, I found 3 easy to follow instructions. The sample came with two strips, one for your upper teeth and one for your lower teeth. Simply tear the pouch open, remove the strip and apply to your teeth per the diagram shown. The strips only contain the active ingredient on one side, so making sure you apply the strips correctly is essential. But, thankfully, I found them very easy to apply, and the instructions were very simple to follow.
I decided to only apply the top strip at first, and compare the results. Not only was this the first time I’ve tried this particular product, but it was also the first time I’ve ever tried any teeth whitening strips. My first reaction to the product after applying the strip to my upper teeth, was to stare in the mirror and try and watch the whitening happen. So, of course, fascination got the best of me. But shortly after applying the strip, I noticed something funny. I was starting to see a very mild foam like substance on my teeth, and I started to notice a minty plastic taste running down my throat. Eww, I thought! But, I wanted to give the product a try, so I kept staring, watching and waiting for something to happen. After a couple of minutes, I did actually start to see a difference in the whiteness of my top teeth compared to my bottom teeth, and so I decided that I could stand the funky plastic mint taste for a few minutes longer, if it meant my teeth would be a little whiter in the end.
After I applied the second strip to my bottom teeth, I sat down at my computer and started to check my email. Assuming that the product would dissolve and disappear after 5-10 minutes like it says on the package, I thought I’d forget about the strips, go on with my day and that would be all she wrote. But, several minutes later I noticed that I still had a waxy feeling substance on my teeth. Funny as it may sound, I started to run my tongue along my teeth, and the strips started to break up and more or less dissolve at that point. The taste had more or less gone away, and I was left with a jelly like substance in my mouth that it too, went away with a little swishing of my tongue, and a simple drink of water.
So, while I wouldn’t say that the 5-10 minutes and you’re done approach that the package claims in actually true; I would say that the product was worth my time and I will definitely consider buying it. Even after one use of a sample sized supply, I saw a difference in the whiteness of my teeth, and the taste and substance left on my teeth while using the product was not enough to detour me from wanting to use it again. It’s not messy, it’s not fussy, and actually, I found the strips to be almost a little sticky when I first put them on, so that made them really easy to apply! They didn’t slide around in my mouth at all like I had expected them too, and the taste was relatively non-existent after the first minute or so. So if you are looking for an effective, affordable and simple way to brighten your smile, consider checking this product out. Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips are currently selling for $26.99 for a pack of 56 strips at Walgreens.com and can also be found in your local drug stores.
