For anyone looking to brighten their smile without leaving home, teeth whitening strips offer an easy, cost-effective way to lift stains and enhance your daily oral care routine. Think of it in the same way as your skin. If you’re applying a hard-working serum on top of a makeup-covered face, it won’t be as effective. Likewise, if you keep your teeth squeaky clean, top-up tooth whiteners and whitening toothpaste can make a big difference.
“Whitening strips are great if you want a boost just before an event,” says cosmetic dentist Dr Krystyna Wilczynski, “but I wouldn’t recommend them as a long-term whitening solution.” She also stresses the importance of getting your oral health in order first: “Brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush over a manual one, avoid food and drink that naturally stain, such as coffee, red wine and curry, and attend regular hygienist appointments every six months.”
However, even if you’re a star player when it comes to brushing, some people’s teeth are naturally less white than others. It’s all to do with how thick the layer of enamel on your teeth is. Underneath the enamel is a layer of dentin, which is yellow, so if your enamel is thin, the yellow can show through. As well as lifestyle habits like teeth grinding, enamel thickness can be determined by genetics, leaving little to be done to resolve the issue.
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What are teeth whitening strips?
Teeth whitening strips are thin sheets of plastic that are coated in teeth whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (bleaching agents often found at low levels in whitening toothpastes), as well as an adhesive to make them stick to your teeth. Usually, they come in kits with enough strips to use on both the top and bottom teeth for two weeks.
Do teeth whitening strips work?
Yes, although it depends on the concentration of the whitening ingredients. Professional whitening kits administered by dentists will have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, so will have a more noticeable effect after a shorter period of time.
According to top dentist, Dr Richard Marques at Wimpole Street Dental, you’ll want to check the ingredients to make sure you’re using the most effective strips. Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the safest and most effective chemicals to whiten teeth when formulated properly. “Some methods do use other agents such as sodium perborate but these are generally considered less effective,” he says.
Can whitening strips ruin your teeth?
While the majority of whitening strips are safe, using them too often can damage the enamel on your teeth as well as the dentin underneath. “Overuse can cause the enamel to become thinner, eroding the protective layer and leading to sensitivity,” confirms Dr Wilczynski. The ingredients used can also cause gum irritation and teeth sensitivity, which should subside as soon as you stop using the strips.
How we tested
We put the teeth whitening strips in this edit through a proper at-home trial to see how they really perform. We looked at how easy they were to apply, how comfortable they felt while wearing, and whether they caused any sensitivity. Of course, results were key – we tracked how noticeably whiter teeth looked after regular use, as well as how long the effects lasted. We also considered value for money, flavour (yes, some taste better than others), and how comfortable they were to wear.