The Best Teeth Whitening Strips

What are Teeth Whitening Strips?

Teeth whitening strips are a popular and cost-effective way to whiten your teeth at home. 

Most strips are made of a flexible plastic substance that is coated with a thin layer of bleaching gel. This gel is typically made of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. 

Carbamide peroxide penetrates your enamel and reaches the discolored molecules inside your teeth. ​The whitening agent's oxygen molecules interact with the discolored teeth molecules, gently lifting stains.

Carbamide peroxide breaks down slower than hydrogen peroxide, so it is safer to use and produces less post-whitening sensitivity. 

Natural whitening strips do not contain peroxide or chemicals. Instead, they use botanicals and essential oils to lift stains gradually. 

As you apply whitening strips to your top and bottom teeth, the gel firmly presses against them. It is held in place by the plastic strips to prevent slipping.

You’ll leave the strips on for up to 30 minutes (depending on the brand). During this time, the gel penetrates your tooth enamel, gradually lifting stains and brightening your smile. 

Depending on how discolored your teeth are, you may need to apply the whitening strips daily for two to three weeks. After the desired shade is achieved, you only have to use them every once in a while to maintain brightness. 

Ingredients Found in Whitening Strips

In addition to hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, the following ingredients are commonly found in whitening strips:

• Most whitestrips are made of polyethylene, which is one of the most common plastics in the world. It is lightweight, flexible, and non-toxic, making it ideal for the base of a whitening strip.
• PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and carbomer are adhesive agents. They help the strips bind to your teeth. Both of these chemicals are safe and non-toxic. However, if overused, they can cause gum irritation.
• Water prevents the carbomer from dehydrating your teeth.
• PEG (polymerization ethylene lycol) are thickeners commonly used in cosmetic products. The PEG acts to thicken the gel and make it sticky.
• Glycerin is a sweet, non-toxic compound. It is used as a humectant to thicken the gel and help the strips stay in place.
• Acrylates copolymer binds the gel and keeps the strip in one piece.
• Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye or caustic soda, neutralizes the pH in whitening strips.
• Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener used to improve taste. It does not contain sugar.

How to Use Teeth Whitening Strips

Most directions for whitening strips consist of the same basic steps. Make sure you read the instructions carefully before applying, as they can vary. 

In general, this is how you should apply whitening strips: 

1. One packet of whitening strips contains an upper strip and a lower strip. Remove both of the strips from the package. 
2. If necessary, cut the strips to match the exact height of your teeth.
3. Remove the adhesive from the strips and gently place them on your teeth. 
4. Leave the whitening strips on your teeth for the amount of time listed in the directions. 
5. Remove the strips and rinse your mouth with water.
6. Refrain from brushing your teeth for at least two hours.
7. Repeat the whitening process (depending on the directions). 
8. Do not whiten your teeth more often than recommended.

5 Best Whitening Strips of 2021

Crest 3D Whitestrips Glamorous White

The Crest 3DWhite Glamorous White Whitestrips Kit contains 16 full whitening treatments. This includes 14 regular whitening treatments (one upper and one lower strip) and two one-hour express treatments. The one-hour express strips reveal same-day results for a visibly whiter smile.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which means they are safe and effective when used correctly.

Cost: $

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The easy-to-apply strips only have to be used for 30 minutes a day to see results. Crest also claims the strips will remove 10 years of stains for a whiter smile.

This product is enamel-safe and uses Advanced Seal Technology. This no-slip feature helps the strips mold to the shape of your teeth. It also allows you to drink water and talk while whitening your teeth.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive

If you have extra sensitive teeth and gums, the Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive is a great alternative. The enamel-safe formula is specially designed for sensitive teeth and provides a gentler at-home whitening experience. This product also has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

The strips mold to the shape of your teeth, which helps prevent slipping. These Whitestrips are also easy to use. You can talk, walk, work, and even drink water while whitening your teeth. 

The kit includes 14 teeth whitening treatments, each with one upper and one lower strip. For best results, apply the strips once a day for 30 minutes. 

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Snow Magic Strips®

Dissolving whitening strips are a newer concept, and Snow is one of the first brands to release this type of product.

Unlike normal whitening strips, dissolving strips are not removed from your teeth after 15 to 30 minutes. Snow's Magic Strips actually dissolve in your mouth after just 15 minutes.

Snow's new patented P3 Technology® also claims to whiten more effectively than other dissolvable whitening strips.

The strips come in a lavender mint flavor and include 28 per pack.

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Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips 

Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips include 28 enamel-safe whitening strips (14 full treatments). The brand claims you will have up to six shades whiter teeth after the full treatment is complete. 

The whitening strip's active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which has been shown to lift surface stains effectively.^(1)(2)(3)

In addition, Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips come in many different flavors. Some of the most popular include mint, peach, coconut, cinnamon, and spearmint. These flavors come from naturally-derived ingredients like menthol and coconut oil. 

For best results, use the whitening strips for 14 consecutive days. The whitening effects have been observed to last for 6+ months.

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Read our complete review of Zimba teeth whitening products

Spotlight Oral Care Whitening Starter Bundle

The Spotlight Whitening Starter Bundle is an excellent option if you are looking for an all-in-one whitening routine at an affordable cost.

The whitening strips lift stains using active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. All of the whitening products are also sulfate, BPA, DEA, gluten, sulfate, paraben, and triclosan-free. This means you’ll have visibly whiter teeth without the potentially harmful effects of chemicals. 

This kit includes: 

• 28 teeth whitening strips 
• Fluoride whitening toothpaste
• Teeth whitening pen for on-the-go and travel
• Gum oil to reduce any sensitivity and irritation
• Bamboo toothbrush

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Spotlight Oral Care is a newer company that sells dental health and whitening products. Although new, the brand has hundreds of 5-star reviews across multiple websites.

Pros and Cons of Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are generally an effective, safe, and convenient way to whiten your teeth. You also don’t have to spend a ton of money trying to brighten your smile. 

Despite these benefits, whitening strips have both pros and cons:

Teeth Whitening Strips vs. Other Treatments

Read below to learn how whitening strips compare to other popular whitening treatments:

Whitening Strips vs. LED Whitening Kits

LED teeth whitening kits incorporate a special light that has been shown to speed up the whitening process. Whitening strips do not use a light. 

Keep in mind that an LED light will not whiten your teeth if used alone. It helps speed up the bleaching process when combined with a whitening agent (peroxide). When this interaction occurs, the blue LED light penetrates your tooth enamel and removes stains.

One study found that an LED light reduced treatment time and sensitivity by 53 percent.⁴ It took the non-light group over two hours to achieve the desired whiteness. The LED light group saw the same results after 72 minutes.⁴

Although LED whitening kits can lift teeth stains quickly, they are more expensive and time-consuming to use (up to $200 per kit). Whitening strips cost between $20 and $50 for 14 or more treatments. 

Whitening Strips vs. Professional Teeth Whitening 

Professional whitening occurs in a dental office, where you’ll be closely monitored for a pain-free and controlled whitening experience. Whitening strips are used at your discretion and have a higher risk for side effects (e.g., tooth sensitivity and gum irritation).

Unlike at-home whitening systems that use low-dose whitening agents, dentists are trained to use higher-dose bleaching agents, providing visible results right away.

For example, over-the-counter whitening strips typically have a peroxide concentration of 6 to 14 percent (sometimes more). Professional, in-office whitening gels contain between 15 and 43 percent peroxide. 

In-office whitening takes about an hour to complete. Your teeth will be two to three shades lighter in just one visit. And the best part is that you’ll only need retouches every six months. Whitening strips require more upkeep, and you won’t see results right away.

On the downside, professional whitening is much more expensive (between $500 and $1,500 per treatment). Whitening strips cost between $20 and $50 for 14 or more treatments. 

Are Whitening Strips Safe? (+ Potential Side Effects)

Whitening strips that contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide have been shown to whiten teeth over time.^{1, 2, 3} When the manufacturer's instructions are followed, peroxide-based teeth whitening products are also safe to use.¹

According to Dr. Casey Lau, the Chief Dental Officer at Elims, the benefit of using hydrogen peroxide is that most of its whitening power occurs within the first 30 minutes. Carbamide peroxide basically breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, but its whitening powers usually take more time.

"Over long periods of time, hydrogen peroxide at high doses can damage enamel. However, many studies have been done with hydrogen peroxide in dental products which showed that it is perfectly safe if used the correct way," says Lau.

The real issue with hydrogen peroxide is that it is an oxidant that can irritate your gums if used incorrectly. It is an antiseptic, so it actually kills bacteria and has been used in the treatment of gum disease. But when the treatment times are really long, it can damage tissues.

Who Shouldn’t Use Whitening Strips?

Do not use whitening strips if you have cavities, worn down enamel, gum disease, braces, or exposed tooth roots. Also, do not use them if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. 

Whitening strips are safe to use on fillings, crowns, veneers, and other restorations but will not whiten them like your natural teeth. 

If you are allergic to peroxide, all-natural whitening strips are available. These alternatives are not as effective at removing stains. However, they can help remove plaque and debris and improve bad breath, which ultimately enhances the color and health of your teeth.