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What’s not to like about teeth whitening strips? They’re budget-friendly, can brighten your smile at home, and are super easy to apply.
Plus, they work faster than whitening toothpastes and powders. They can whiten your teeth in as little as 1 to 2 weeks—and you can expect to see changes within days.
Since we’re absolutely crazy for teeth whitening strips, we asked Dr. Khushbu Aggarwal, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, to round up her favorite brands for you to try out. Together with our expert, we picked products based on their:
Dr. Khushbu Aggarwal specializes in clinical dentistry and consults for several organizations, including Dr. Clobo and Kaplan. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2014 from UCLA School of Dentistry and completed a one-year general dentistry residency in a hospital setting.
Everything We Recommend
Best Overall: LIVFRESH Teeth Whitening Strips
The Runner-Up: Auraglow Teeth Whitening Strips
Best Peroxide Free: Hismile PAP+ Whitening Strips™
Also Great: Crest 3D Whitestrips Glamorous White
Best for Sensitive Teeth: Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive
Best for Convenience: Snow Magic Strips®
Best Tasting: Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
Best for Maintenance: Spotlight Oral Care Whitening Starter Bundle
Best Natural Ingredients: Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Best for Quick Treatments: BURST Teeth Whitening Strips with Soothing Coconut Oil
Best Affordable:Ollie Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips make great alternatives to whitening trays and LED kits. They’re easy to put on and remove and can be left on for 15 to 30 minutes while you do something else. Here are Dr. Aggarwal’s most recommended brands:
LIVFRESH Whitening Strips contain enamel-safe ingredients that combine hydrogen peroxide with coconut oil. The result? You get a powerful but gentle teeth whitener that soothes the gums and freshens your breath!
Its dentist-developed formula is residue-free and can brighten smiles by up to 8 shades. The no-slip strips ensure its active ingredients work their magic on your teeth.
LIVFRESH Coconut Whitening Strips only uses vegan, cruelty-free, and edible ingredients. It doesn’t contain phthalates, sugars, gluten, abrasives, detergents, parabens, and triclosan. Despite its gentle formulation, it’s effective at removing plaque and stains caused by coffee, soda, and wine.
Here is what the package looks like:
We picked Auraglow for the top spot because of its enamel-safe ingredients and thick strips that stay put on teeth. Its gentle formulation (6% hydrogen peroxide) effectively lightens teeth without sensitivity.
Who says you need peroxides to get a brighter smile? Hismile gets the job done without the harsh ingredients. Instead, it uses a unique combination of phthalimidoperoxycaproicacid (PAP), nano-hydroxyapatite (NHAP), and potassium citrate to gently whiten your teeth while reducing sensitivity.
Crest is the only brand of whitening strips with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This makes it a safe and effective option for people who want to get whiter teeth at home.
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive is a great alternative if you have tooth sensitivity or gums that are easily irritated. It has an enamel-safe formula that’s specially designed for a gentler teeth whitening experience.
We recommend Snow’s Magic Strips for convenient teeth whitening. They melt in your mouth so you don’t have to wait around and take them off after every use. Just apply the strips and watch them dissolve like candy as they gradually whiten your teeth.
We love Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips for their flavorful approach. Available in various flavors like mint, peach, coconut, cinnamon, spearmint, and watermelon, these strips make teeth whitening a fun experience. Plus, their gentle formula removes stains without causing tooth sensitivity.
Spotlight’s Teeth Whitening System brightens your smile and helps you maintain it after the treatment. That’s because it includes whitening strips and toothpaste in one kit. By combining hydrogen peroxide with hydroxyapatite, it lightens your teeth but doesn’t cause sensitivity.
If you want to naturally lighten teeth without the risk of sensitivity, there’s Lumineux. The strips are vegan, peroxide-free, dentist-formulated, and enamel-safe. They don’t contain SLS, alcohol, sugar, and other toxic chemicals. Instead, they use natural ingredients to whiten your teeth.
Thousands of dental professionals—including NewMouth’s in-house dentist, Dr. Khushbu Aggarwal—recommend BURST. Like many effective whitening formulas, it contains 6% hydrogen peroxide. What makes these strips stand out is the addition of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil.
Ollie Teeth Whitening Strips offers a convenient, subscription-based solution for a brighter smile. It only costs $3 per treatment. With its affordable pricing, money-back guarantee, and the option to cancel anytime, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try them.
Get your brightest smile with NewMouth's top teeth whitening picks for 2024.
Each person is unique. The best way to find strips that work for you is to try different brands and see how your teeth react to them.
However, there are certain ingredients you can look out for, such as:
Whitening Ingredients | Recommended For | Not Advised |
Hydrogen peroxide | Faster teeth whitening and stubborn surface stains | You have sensitive teeth and/or gums that are easily irritated |
Carbamide peroxide | Gentler whitening for people who prefer peroxide-based brands | Results take longer or may not be as effective as hydrogen peroxide |
Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP) | Whitening teeth without the risk of sensitivity or gum irritation | Doesn’t work as well as peroxide-based products |
Hydroxyapatite (HAP) | Whitening and remineralizing teeth so it’s less sensitive | When used alone, it may not be as effective at whitening teeth |
Coconut oil | Removes plaque which can help make your teeth brighter | When used alone, it may not be as effective at whitening teeth |
According to Elims’ Chief Dental Officer Dr. Casey Lau, the benefit of using hydrogen peroxide is that most of its whitening occurs within the first 30 minutes. Carbamide peroxide usually takes longer.
Over long periods, 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.
Dr. Casey Lau
Besides these ingredients, the following can also boost the formula’s effects or protect your teeth and gums against sensitivity and irritation:
Finally, you should consider their price (per box) and how many strips you’re getting. More strips mean you get better value for your money.
Before using teeth whitening strips, remember to talk to your dentist. They can assess your oral health and help you determine which brands will work for you.
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