If you’re a smoker, caffeine junkie, or your teeth just aren’t as shiny as you’d like them to be, I have a suggestion for you: Crest 3D Whitening products.

Now, we’ve probably all seen the products’ advertisements promising a whiter smile in just two weeks, but I didn’t believe it until I tried them myself.

As a former smoker, I’m aware of the effects that the habit has on your teeth. But even when I smoked a pack a day, Crest 3D Whitening products ensured the shimmer of my smile.

I know it sounds unlikely, but combined usage of the 3D Whitening toothpaste and rinse really makes a difference. And not only do the products whiten teeth, but it also fights against the typical turmoil our mouths endure daily: plaque, cavities and the ever-embarrassing curse of halitosis.

I’ve been using the products for three years now and I can honestly say my teeth have never looked better.

It’s not just a temporary fix, either — even when I halted use of the products to opt for a cheaper brand, my teeth remained as white as Crest had promised.

Before using Crest 3D Whitening rinse and toothpaste, however, I was an avid user of the 3D Whitening Strips, the original product that ensured a whiter smile in just seven days.

Although the whitening strips indeed make smiles brighter and whiter, they also seem to damage tooth enamel and may cause sensitivity.

If you’re shopping on a budget like many college students, I’d say it’s best to avoid purchasing Crest 3D Whitening Strips and opt for the toothpaste and rinse instead.

They provide the same results without harming your mouth and are a lot cheaper.

Now, I understand not everyone is as occupied with the color of their teeth as I am, but your smile says a lot about you.

A smile can comfort a stranger, reassure a friend, or land a job. A smile is often a first impression, so why not make it a good one?

Selling at roughly $7 for a large bottle of Crest 3D Whitening rinse and $4 for a tube of 3D Whitening toothpaste, the products are a bit pricey but worth it.

Rating: C+

To contact Siali Siaosi, email seniorwriter@occc.edu.