With fangs and a dazzling smile? Five days is all it takes!
24.7.2018
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz, Stephanie Tresch
Tooth whitening at home: or how to achieve a dazzling white appearance at home, with little or no recourse to the dentist? What seemed like a nightmare just a few years ago is now commonplace. I've tested a kit for you to use at home to get brighter teeth.
Livia Gisler asked the editors if anyone would be willing to whiten their teeth for a new brand from the Galaxus range. There are many applications, kits and tools. Charcoal powder is one of them. My reaction wasn't long in coming: "Charcoal powder is constipating, isn't it?" It's for external use, she replies with a smile. "It's not very aesthetic," and shows me a video. And that's supposed to motivate me?
She has, somehow, managed to arouse my curiosity. I'm not really convinced, as I've never had any serious problems with my teeth, apart from a slight correction with night braces at school. I'm proud of my teeth. I no longer have my wisdom teeth, but I can't help wondering whether it's wise to carry out such an experiment?
Why not after all, I don't miss a beat of Livia's explanations. We meet, she explains the concept, shows me the contents of the kit and dispels most of my doubts, almost like a proper dentist. Well done doctor Livia.
Why then?
"Do you want to destroy your beautiful teeth? Friends and colleagues can't understand the experience. "Don't you mind trying something useless?" their reactions can't be said to be of much help. My doubts return. I put them aside, because I've made my decision and don't want to go back on it. I've also heard positive remarks: "Your smile will be even brighter."
Or, "Wow, we won't need a lamp in the office any more."
And Patrick, our token clown, added: "Do you know Firmino from Liverpool? "Haha, very funny, Pat! Why do I persist? Firstly out of curiosity, for the category of products I'm promoting, and most importantly for you dear Galaxus customers.
Before
I'm feverish at the thought of receiving this kit. On Monday morning, I finally go for it. With a test like this inevitably leading to a before-and-after comparison, I dispatch our photographer for a dental photo shoot. This is exactly why Thomas loves his job: "Every day brings something new", he says. We go to the studio in the basement of Pfingstweidstrasse. Our professional paparazzi record the settings for the light and the camera, to ensure, as far as possible, absolute objectivity.
My daily intake of stimulants and addictive substances remains within acceptable limits: I don't drink coffee or tea and don't smoke. As a result, my teeth are neither brown nor dark yellow. But they're not bright white either, as the 'before' photo above shows. Somewhere in the middle, I'd say. The white studio wall in the background doesn't really work in my favour, but I have to make do.
Once the signage photo has been taken, we're off to the Digitec Galaxus AG staff kitchen, the perfect place for a dental experience. The atmosphere couldn't be more mysterious: the whitening gel glistens in the sunlight. Appearances are deceiving, I really don't know what's in store for me.
Unpacking: armed to the teeth
This test is a first from start to finish. "Oh, a male tester," exclaims the dedicated beauty care team, where women are largely represented, at my interest in such an experiment. It's also the first time I've tested a beauty product. Do you think it's high time I started looking after my appearance? I wouldn't say that, because I already live with a supermodel, I see her every morning in the mirror, so I know what it's like.
.
But back to the point: at first glance, the goBright product looks more like a dodgy plastic surgery kit that some second-rate doctor would use somewhere in an old disused building on his poor patient: syringes filled with scary gel, unsavoury gutters and the usual chemical smell. Add to that a blue LED light and a laminated user manual. The few sentences are probably the expert advice highlighted on the packaging. Once again, I will not back down in the face of adversity. At this point, Thomas even thought he saw a tear roll down my cheek. But as they say, no photo, no proof.
Let's grit our teeth
The two aligners need to be fitted in accordance with the guide provided. To do this, immerse them in water - previously boiled and then cooled - for 10 to 12 seconds until they start to deform. Then place the tray in your mouth, bite down on it and compress it with your lip, tongue and finger. Leave it to react for 10 to 15 seconds, and that's it. Now place the tray in a glass of cold water for 10 seconds. Trim off any excess material to prevent gum irritation. That's it, the first dental band is ready to use.
White as snow
"Consult your dentist before the first application" is what it says on the packaging leaflet. Oops, maybe I should have read it a bit more carefully before jumping in, I'm one of those people who thinks "instructions are a waste of paper". But it's my teeth we're talking about here, my most important tool when it comes to food. I called my dentist straight away and listened carefully to what she had to say. Basically, she advised against this type of kit. But as I've never (ever) had any dental problems, I have carte blanche, no pun intended. And, in an emergency, I can pop in and see her. Reassuring, isn't it?
Next hurdle? Bringing the water to the boil, adjusting and cutting the second gutter. I heat the water in the kettle to 100 degrees and wait a bit to make sure the part doesn't melt and the attempt succeeds. Have I waited long enough? Too long? Everything seems to have gone well, as it did the first time. The teeth mark isn't as pronounced as in the illustration in the instructions, but I can see their structure. I've cut away the excess plastic, so the second mouthpiece is ready too. But am I?
"Blimey, now I've got to go all the way", I pluck up my courage and decide on a first application in the afternoon.
I also read in the instructions that the product cannot be used for more than seven consecutive days. What do you mean? A little further up, it says that the professional kit can be used five times a week. I'm going to carry out this experiment over five days. I'll start with the recommended 20-minute treatment. Later, I'll increase it to 45 minutes. I also apply the LED light to exacerbate the shine effect for a few minutes.
Dear Diary
Every day I feed my diary with my experiences, feelings and common sense. In this way, I can prove practico-practically whether the project works both mentally and physically.
Monday
It takes a lot of dexterity and patience to apply the viscous gel with the tip of the syringe. After a few minutes of getting the hang of it, things fall into place. I start with the LED light, one or two minutes, I wouldn't want to overdo it.
What does it feel like? It's like going to the dentist for an impression, and now I know what I'm talking about. What does it smell like? Mint, but chemical. What does it feel like? Nothing, really. Except the trays in your mouth. After 20 minutes, the fun is over. I take them out, rinse them and brush my teeth as instructed. A few minutes later, I get the impression that something has happened, like some kind of tension in my teeth.
Tuesday
Go about your business while the magic gel does its work? Yes, no problem. Today I'm allowed 30 minutes. I use the LED light again, this time for three or four minutes. The gel is working on my teeth, and I can feel it today even more than yesterday. It's like biting into an ice cube. There's nothing painful about it, it's like a draught in your mouth. By the way, my dear colleague's idiotic comments and mockery are fading as the envious glances here and there become more pronounced.
Wednesday
It's getting serious. Today I can push it up to 35 minutes. Compared to the first two days, I can clearly feel the frost when I bite into the gutters. Just like yesterday, it's not pain, but a growing sensation of coolness. I apply the LED light for 4 to 5 minutes. At first sight, the teeth have become a little whiter. If this is really the case, I'll see it later in the comparison photo.
Thursday
Today, I let my teeth whiten under the effect of the chemical reaction for 40 minutes. In conventional whitening, hydrogen peroxide-based preparations are usually used. This is also the case with this product, which penetrates the tooth and separates the oxygen radicals, which are capable of chemically modifying the colourants contained in the tooth so that they lose their colour. The result? Whiter and whiter teeth as the treatment progresses.
Friday
Final stretch: 45 minutes, 5 of which under LED light. The cold is getting more and more extreme, but no sensation of cutting or tightness, just extreme coolness. I'm also getting fed up with constantly having to brush my teeth. Anyway, this test is officially over. Thomas takes the last photo, the 'after picture'. I can't wait to see.
After
The moment of truth has arrived. This is what my smile looks like after 5 days of applying the goBright whitening kit:
From the looks of the photos, my teeth are whiter than they were when I started. In fact, they were neither brown nor dark yellow, so the change is less noticeable than it would be for an inveterate smoker or coffee or tea drinker, for example. To be perfectly honest, at the start of the experiment I thought I'd have a Colgate smile after five days. Clearly that's not the case. But I'm still pleased with the result.
To avoid: whitening toothpaste
In addition to the goBright whitening kit, I also received Advanced Teeth Whitening Foam, a toothpaste that's supposed to act as an alternative according to the manufacturer. All you have to do is wet your toothbrush before brushing. I deliberately didn't test this product, as my dentist advised against it. The whiteners and other particles it contains cause irreversible damage to teeth through friction. They become more sensitive to holes and discolour more quickly than before treatment. Hence my recommendation: keep your paws off this product; while this substance may only work in the short term, it proves dangerous in the long term.
Conclusion
The benefits? The answer is simple: this kit works, teeth are whiter without, however, matching those of a Hollywood star. At the dentist, the result would undoubtedly be more consistent than with this product. But for 100 francs, we're not going to be picky. The four syringes contain enough gel for a whole week, the carrying case protects the trays and the LED light is the icing on the cake. The whiteness scale, which I didn't use, allows you to measure progress without resorting to before-and-after photos.
The disadvantages? The beginnings were laborious and not very reassuring. In my opinion, the instructions are far too short for a product of this calibre. Many questions remain, but the photos, the goBright homepage and common sense help to answer them. What temperature should the water be at so that the gutter deforms but doesn't melt? How do I distribute the right amount of gel? How long should I apply the LED light to get a "faster and even better result"? It's true that the teeth are a little whiter, but you can't expect a whitening miracle, even with a dentition less well off than mine.
After my initial internet research, a certain panic set in at the thought that I could destroy my healthy teeth in the space of just a week. But a phone call to the dentist reassured me: after all, they're pros and they know what they're talking about. Of course, I can't yet say whether I'll suffer any long-term damage, but if my dentist is to be believed, there's nothing to worry about. I have strong, clean teeth that can tolerate such treatment without any problems. And the gum irritation disappears after 48 hours at the latest if that should be the case.
Would I buy this kit? Yes, and for three reasons. The first, I'm happy with my teeth as they are. So why not make them even brighter? Secondly, to tell the truth, only my dentist has the right to touch my teeth. But I'm curious, so I had to give it a try. And thirdly, for a reasonable price, you get a kit that delivers on its promise; whiter teeth.
If you want to whiten teeth discoloured by coffee, tea and nicotine without resorting to expensive visits to the dentist, this is the kit for you. What's more, there's no risk of damaging well-groomed teeth. But be careful! I strongly advise against using whitening foam for the reasons already explained above.
Header image: For use at work (or at home): the goBright tooth whitening kit
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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