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Whitening strips are thin, flexible stickers coated with bleaching gel that, over time, can brighten the color of your teeth and remove surface stains. Before we tested them, I talked to dentists about what to consider while shopping. Here’s what they recommend.
Each tester used one type of strip at a time for at least a week according to the brand’s directions. We did not test strips that come with LED lights — dentists I spoke to say at-home LED lights don’t provide any real benefit and are not worth buying. Here are the factors we evaluated while testing:
Our testers chose the whitening strips below as their top picks. Keep in mind that everyone’s teeth are different, so what worked for us may not work for you. Be sure to consult your dentist before starting an at-home whitening treatment.
Many members of our team consider these their go-to whitening strips. They’re also a reader favorite product and an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner, plus one of the only ADA-accepted teeth whitening strips to date. I’m a loyal user due to their effectiveness and comfort. After using the strips a few nights in a row, my teeth look brighter and lighter in color, which is impressive considering I drink dark-colored beverages like coffee and Diet Coke every day.
Crest Whitestrips are semi-firm, so when I peel them off their packaging, they don’t immediately fold in on themselves. This lets me apply them quickly and easily. I stick the strips on the front of my teeth and fold their top half over toward the back of my teeth, enhancing their grip so they don’t move. I appreciate how thin these strips are, too. I can talk while wearing them and practically forget they’re in my mouth.
Opalescence Go’s whitening trays have professional-grade gel despite being less concentrated than in-office treatments, says Fraundorf. They’re the strongest option we recommend, and while they work similarly to strips, they’re pre-filled trays you bite into. “I like the tray format much better than strips because they’re so easy to pop on and off, and I find them more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. “Because they’re strong, my teeth get a little sensitive while using them, but that’s the case with almost all whitening products for me. I definitely see a difference when using these consistently — my teeth are noticeably whiter.” I’m also a big fan of these whitening trays, and I appreciate that the box they come in doubles as a dispenser.
These are a favorite of NBC Select editorial operations manager Rebecca Rodriguez because they’re not made with peroxides that typically irritate her sensitive gums. The gel formula that coats each strip includes dead sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil and sage oil. When combined, these ingredients can remove yellow plaque and break up stains on teeth, according to the brand. “They’re also so easy to apply, especially because the bottom strip is curved to better accommodate your bottom teeth,” says Rodriguez.
If you plan to use teeth whitening strips while traveling or commuting, you might not have access to a trash can when it’s time to take the strips off. In those situations, Moon’s dissolvable strips come in handy, says former NBC Select associate reporter (and super-commuter) Bianca Alvarez. After 15 minutes on your teeth, the moisture in your mouth dissolves them. The strips have a form-fitting, non-slip grip, and they’re made with lavender and chamomile, ingredients the brand says soothes gums. The strips’ gel is also formulated with hydroxyapatite, which protects and restores enamel, according to Moon.
To make your whitening strips work as effectively as possible, keep these expert tips in mind.
Yes, teeth whitening strips work, but they’re a short-term solution that offers limited results, says Fraundorf. They also won’t remove extra deep stains. “While they can lighten teeth by a few shades when used consistently, the results are not permanent and typically fade within a few months, especially with exposure to staining foods and drinks,” she says.
If you’re looking for dramatic, long-lasting results, get a whitening treatment from your dentist. Then, you can use whitening strips at home to maintain your teeth’s bright color and stretch out your results. Your dentist can also fit you for custom trays and give you professional-grade gel to fill them with at home, says Fraundorf.
Teeth whitening strips correct discoloration and remove stains through chemical whitening, says Fraundorf. This process involves applying active bleaching ingredients to your teeth, like hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which are in the gel that covers strips. These ingredients penetrate enamel as they sit on your teeth and remove color, gradually giving you a brighter, whiter smile.
Compared to a treatment at your dentist’s office, over-the-counter whitening strips have less concentrated active ingredients in their gel, so they’re less effective overall and it takes longer to see results, says Fraundorf.
How often you should use teeth whitening strips depends on the brand, so read the directions carefully. You’ll typically apply strips to your top and bottom teeth daily for about two weeks. Then, you can repeat the process a few months later when you notice your teeth yellow or lose their brightness. Dentists recommend using whitening toothpaste, gel or mouthwash between treatments to maintain your results for as long as possible.
Any dental care product you use incorrectly or too often can potentially damage your teeth, including whitening strips, says Fraundorf. Make sure you follow the brand’s directions exactly, never leave strips on for longer than specified and immediately take them off if you feel any discomfort or pain during a treatment.
Everyone’s teeth react differently to the bleaching ingredients in whitening strips — some people feel nothing, while other people feel discomfort. That said, one of the main reasons your mouth may feel irritated by whitening strips is because their gel can easily get on your gums. “At-home strips cannot prevent the whitening agent from coming into contact with the gum tissue and other sensitive areas,” says Fraundorf. In comparison, professional treatments involve your dentist evenly coating each tooth with a whitening agent using a tiny brush, preventing it from getting on your gums. Dentists also put devices in your mouth to help it stay open during the process.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who’s covered dental care for five years, including topics like toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, fluoride and toothbrushes. To write this article, I interviewed two dentists about how to shop for the best teeth whitening strips and coordinated testing among the NBC Select staff for three months.
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