Product Review-Luster Premium White Teeth Whitening System

So many of you know I'm signed up with BzzAgent.com, a fantastic Word of Mouth social marketing company.  Other companies go to them with their products so people like me can try them out, then tell others what we think.  It's a really cool website and program, so you should check it out when you have a chance.

Luster Premium White-Distinctly White Teeth Whitening System

Recently, I was offered the opportunity to try out a product called Luster Premium White.  It is a teeth whitening system that consists of a mouth wash that's supposed to prep your teeth for whitening and a gel that you apply to the teeth being whitened.  Normally I don't bother with products like these as I've tried a couple and never really seen any big difference.  Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you that I'm a tetracycline kid...meaning as a kid I was prescribed tetracycline which stained my permanent teeth way back then (the docs apparently didn't realize this side effect would occur when someone was kept on it past a certain length of time).  I try not to let it bother me, though from time to time that self-conscious feeling creeps in and I try to smile without showing my teeth.  Here's the before pic so you can see why:

And here's the after pic:

Um, if you think you're not seeing a difference, well some of that is due to the photos (sorry, I'm not real good at taking selfies).  But there is a bit of change-in the first pic, the color is a bit more spotty while the second one it's more uniform.  But also, you can barely see in the bottom teeth in the first pic there's some darker coloring between the teeth (especially closer to the gums)...which seems to now be gone.  This is from the tea and soda staining I'm pretty sure.  Not that I'm going to give up drinking tea or the occasional soda so I know it will come back, but still-it did remove something.

I really wasn't setting my expectations too high considering tetracycline staining happens while a child's teeth are developing and not as a result of things you eat, drink, etc.  But I did see some changes...though I don't believe for me it would be worth the time, effort or cost normally.  If you're interested in purchasing the product, Amazon does have it available at this link: Distinctly White Dual Action Whitening System for $12.99 plus shipping ($4.99, it's thru one of their sellers).  You may also be able to find it at one of your local stores.  I do have 5 sets of coupons that I can send out to the first five people to request them; the coupon sets include 4 coupons, 1 for the system I tried and 3 for their other products...you can use the Contact Me page to see where to send your request.  I was also sent 5 packets of their NOW! Instant Whitening Toothpaste, but I didn't get around to trying it unfortunately...but that means that I can send them out to those who contact me for the coupons :-)

Likes: Fairly simple to use-you rinse with the mouth wash for 10 seconds, then use the gel brush to "paint" the gel onto your teeth.  It stays on for 10 minutes, then you're done.  I always rinsed well afterward.  Here's pics of the mouth wash and gel brush:

Dislikes: One of the things the instructions tell you is not to get the gel on your tongue, lips or gums.  Unfortunately, it's kind of hard for it not to get on your gums with your bottom teeth...and when it comes in contact, it's kind of a faint stinging sensation.  For those who've ever had their hair permed, especially years ago-you know how it felt when the solution got on your forehead by accident or was left on just a little too long?  That's kind of the feeling.  I also didn't care for having to keep my mouth basically open for the ten minutes since if I tried to close it, my lips would inevitably touch my teeth.

Overall, for me I most likely wouldn't consider using this in the future...but again, my situation is a bit different since the majority of my teeth discoloration is from medicine that stained my teeth as a child while my permanent teeth were still developing--those of you who like those tasty coffee, tea and soda beverages or who are smokers would probably have better luck and see more of a difference (presumably).

So there you have it...and let me say, I was really debating on whether I would post my experience or not.  Not because of the product itself, but I never thought I'd be brave enough to put pictures of my teeth on here.  It's kinda weird, ya know?  I feel very self conscious about certain aspects of my appearance so here I am, being brave!  So for a better reason to smile, I'll direct you instead to my other blog, The Disney World Files, where I've got my October Disney Prize Pack Giveaway going on.  I'd smile really big if I won a Disney giveaway, wouldn't you?

Have you ever tried any teeth whitening products?  If so, how did they work for you?