Most teeth whitening strips are safe for occasional use, but there are some that contain ingredients like chlorine dioxide, which can damage tooth enamel if used excessively. If the whitening strip doesn't adhere perfectly to your teeth, it can cause the bleaching agent (like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) to touch your gums directly, which can lead to gum irritation, inflammation, or even a temporary burning sensation. If you experience significant discomfort or have serious discoloration on your teeth, consult your dentist to find the best approach for you.
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We put more than 20 at-home whitening strips to the test . We used the strips at home once a day for the full treatment time (about a week or two), noting how easy they were to apply, how comfortable they felt, how well they whitened and brightened their smiles, and whether or not they caused any sensitivity. Our team then combined these results with dentists' recommendations and our thorough research to put together this list of truly worthwhile whitening strips.
If you’ve been wishing your smile was a little brighter, you’re not alone. While there’s no shortage of over-the-counter and professional whitening treatments ranging from pens and gels to LED whitening kits and trays, whitening strips offer one of the easiest ways to score pearly (or, at the very least, pearlier) whites.
Best Overall
Crest 3DWhitestrips Bright Dental Whitening Kit
Walmart
View On Target
$30
View On Walmart
$24
What We Like
Easy to apply
Effectively whitens teeth a few shades
Process is relatively quick
What We Don't Like
Unpleasant taste
Number of Pieces: 22 strips | Cruelty-Free: No
The box comes with 22 strips to be used for 30 minutes a day for 11 days, and we found that they worked to lighten the teeth nearly three shades. The strips were easy to apply, relatively comfortable, and didn’t cause sensitivity, making the entire process simple and painless. We also found that the whitening effect was noticeable after just a few treatments, so they're a great choice if you’re looking to whiten your teeth quickly ahead of a special occasion. Note that they do have a bit of an unpleasant taste, but that’s pretty common among whitening strips.
Best Overall Runner-Up
Crest 3DWhitestrips 1-Hour Express
Amazon
View On Walmart
$29
View On CVS
$56
View On Walgreens
$50
What We Like
Don't slip while wearing
Fast results
What We Don't Like
Whitening plateaued after five treatments
Number of Pieces: 38 strips | Cruelty-Free: No
We thought these were particularly easy to use, and stayed stuck to the teeth pretty well, even over an hour. While we were quite active around the house while wearing them, they weren't annoying or uncomfortable. We got noticeably whiter teeth after just five treatments, so much so that friends actually commented on them. We felt the whitening plateaued after that point, but the change was significant enough that we were quite satisfied with the experience overall. We noticed the slightest bit of tooth sensitivity at the end, but nothing to write home about.
Best Budget
Persmax Teeth Whitening Strips
Amazon
View On Amazon
$13
What We Like
Easy to apply
Adhere to teeth nicely without moving around
Visible whitening can be seen after only one week
Comfortable to wear
What We Don't Like
Some online reviewers say the results could be a bit more dramatic
Number of Pieces: 28 strips | Cruelty-Free: Not known
If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly option, these are for you. We were especially impressed by how well they applied and adhered to the teeth without moving around. They were comfortable to wear for the directed 30 minutes at a time—we didn’t experience any pain or sensitivity with these. We also noticed brighter teeth after just a few sessions, and it’s nice that the kit comes with a color chart so you can keep track of your progress. Regardless of price point, these whitening strips are a great option for lifting staining and achieving a whiter smile.
Best Splurge
Crest 3D White Whitestrips with Light
Amazon
View On Amazon
$56
View On Target
$65
View On Walmart
$77
What We Like
Effectively whiten the teeth at least a few shades
Results are long-lasting
Starts working within the first few treatments
What We Don't Like
Can cause tooth sensitivity
Number of Pieces: 1 light, 20 strips | Cruelty-Free: No
This kit pairs the same efficacy of the brand’s beloved strips but kicks it up a notch with the inclusion of an LED light. You wear the strips for an hour every day for 10 days. After you wear them, you hold the LED-light mouthpiece against the strip for another 10 minutes, five on top and five on the bottom. The blue light works to help the whitening gel better penetrate the tooth enamel, ultimately upping the efficacy, particularly when it comes to removing super stubborn stains. Byrdie contributor Jenna Igneri is a big fan, raving about her whitening results and pointing out that she only experienced mild sensitivity that dissipated over 10 days.
Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
The Crest 3D Whitestrips With Light Tester
Jenna: “While I still noticed some slight staining in between some of my teeth (and I’m dealing with a bit of sensitivity), I’d say that, overall, the 14-day treatment was a success. Do they yield as dramatic results? No, but I’m still pretty pleased with my newly whitened smile. They’re effective, they’re affordable, and trust, they’re way stronger than the average whitening toothpaste.”
Best Rapid Results
Crest 3D Whitestrips, Radiant Express
Amazon
View On Amazon
$33
View On Walmart
$50
What We Like
Stay in place while on teeth
Easy to apply
Whitened teeth after first use
What We Don't Like
Can cause tooth sensitivity
Number of Pieces: 28 strips | Cruelty-Free: No
Teeth whitening kits make a lot of claims. This one from Crest, for example, says it will whiten your teeth a whopping 18 shades. While we didn't experience that much of a change, we did notice these strips whitened after just one hour-long application. That's pretty impressive compared to others we've tried where it's taken at least a few rounds of whitening to clock any noticeable difference.
We felt the strips were relatively easy to apply—just peel and stick—and they stayed in place the entire hour we had to wear them. At times, we even forgot we were wearing them. Unfortunately, at about halfway through, one tester had to discontinue use because she was dealing with some tooth discomfort. However, she normally has sensitive teeth, so we think these would still work well for someone who's got less tooth sensitivity. And, despite only using half of the kit, she still got her teeth a full two shades whiter.
Best Dissolving
Supersmile Superstrips Teeth Whitening Dissolving Strips
Supersmile
View On Supersmile.com
What We Like
Dissolves in 15 minutes
Good taste
More sustainable
Noticeably brighter teeth after each session
What We Don't Like
Didn't feel great on teeth
Number of Pieces: 56 strips | Cruelty-Free: Yes
These strips tout a unique technology that ensures they gradually dissolve after you apply them. They’re meant for quick whitening boosts on the go—think on your way to a big even, and are less sensitizing. We didn't love how they felt as they dissolved (they sort of made our teeth stick to the inside of our lips), but we were incredibly impressed by the results—we noticed a brightening effect after each session and appreciated the convenience factor they provided. Also nice: They leave behind a fresh, peppermint flavor to freshen breath, although you must wait 30 minutes after use before eating or drinking.
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Best for Sensitive Teeth
iSmile Teeth Whitening Strips
Target
View On Target
$45
View On Shopismile.com
What We Like
Simple and easy to use
Effectively whitens teeth a few shades
Doesn’t cause sensitivity, even for those with very sensitive teeth
Comes with extra strips for touch-ups down the line
What We Don't Like
A bit of excess gel makes them slightly messy and tricky to remove
Directions could be a bit more clear
Number of Pieces: 44 strips | Cruelty-Free: Not known
These strips claim to cause “zero sensitivity,” and, according to one of our testers with extremely sensitive teeth, the claim is accurate—these were the first whitening strips ever that she could use for the allotted time frame—30 minutes a day for seven consecutive days. They effectively whitened the teeth by about three to four shades, and we also appreciate that the kit comes with extra strips for touch-ups down the line.
Best for Dramatic Results
Rembrandt 1 Week Teeth Whitening Kit
Amazon
View On Amazon
$32
View On Walmart
$22
What We Like
Starts working after just two uses
Strips cover front and back of teeth
Comfortable to wear
What We Don’t Like
Can cause sensitivity
Number of Pieces: 28 strips, 14 treatments | Cruelty-Free: No
We love these strips for how quickly they work to deliver a dramatic, bright smile. We saw a fairly significant, visible improvement in teeth whiteness after just the first two uses. At the end of the test, the teeth were several shades whiter. We also appreciate that they're simple and easy to apply (there's no gel, tools, or light required), and they feel comfortable while wearing them for the allotted 30 minutes at a time. Another bonus is that the kit comes with enough strips for two full rounds of treatment. They're affordable, effective, and comfortable, what's not to love?
Most Comfortable
Burst Teeth Whitening Strips
Amazon
View On Burstoralcare.com
$30
What We Like
Easy to apply
Comfortable to wear while doing other things
Don't slip and slide around
Each session only takes 15 minutes
What We Don't Like
Results are quite subtle
Number of Pieces: 20 strips | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable these were to wear. They were quick and easy to apply, and once they adhered to the teeth, they remained totally comfortable to wear for the allotted time. Plus, we love that you only need to wear them for 15 minutes a day for seven days—the extra six strips in the box are meant to be used for touch-ups down the line. While the results weren’t as dramatic as other options we tested, given how fast, comfortable, and affordable these are, we still highly recommend them.
Best Flavors
Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
ZIMBA
View On Amazon
$20
View On Walmart
$20
View On Shopzimba.com
$24
What We Like
Comes in a variety of flavors
Adheres to teeth
Produce noticeable results gradually
What We Don't Like
Can cause sensitivity
Number of Pieces: 28 strips | Cruelty-Free: Yes
An unpleasant flavor is one of the most common drawbacks to any tooth whitening strip. Enter these, which alleviate that issue and come in tons of yummy flavors like mint, peach, coconut, and more. The strips are also super grippy so they won't slip and slide around on your teeth. They work gradually throughout the two-week treatment period. However, if sensitivity is an issue for you, you might find this option a little uncomfortable.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
While teeth whitening services are available at many dentist offices, they can be expensive and time-consuming. Professional treatments typically cost over $200 and appointments can last 90 minutes or longer. Thankfully, many oral care brands offer more cost-effective, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments you can use at home. Experts say they aren’t as strong as in-office treatments, but they can tackle minor discoloration if used correctly and consistently.
Below, we talked to two dentists about what you can expect from at-home teeth whitening treatments and how to shop for them. We also rounded up our favorite options from brands like Crest, Colgate and Burt's Bees.
SKIP AHEAD Best at-home teeth whitening products including trays and strips, whitening toothpastes, mouthwash, LED whitening treatments and whitening pens | How we picked the best teeth whiteners | Which teeth whitening product is right for you?
With expert guidance in mind, we rounded up a handful of at-home teeth whitening treatments across types and price points. We included options with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, those NBC Select staff members have tried themselves, NBC Select Wellness Award Winners and other highly rated treatments we think you should know about.
Crest 3D Whitestrips are currently the only ADA-approved whitening strips — they also won an NBC Select Wellness Award. The Classic Vivid strips come in a pack of 24, which is enough for 12 treatments. Strips are made with hydrogen peroxide and have a no-slip grip that helps them stick to teeth. Crest also offers other types of whitestrips including Brilliance White, Glamorous White and Sensitive, all of which are ADA-approved.
Type: Strips | Application time: 30 minutes
If you have sensitive teeth, I recommend Lumineux’s whitening strips since they don’t contain peroxides or bleaches that can be painful for those with sensitive teeth, according to the brand. The strips are made with coconut oil, sage oil, lemon peel oil and dead sea salt, natural ingredients that help lift stains off teeth, according to Lumineux. One box contains 42 teeth whitening strips, which is enough for 21 treatments. I notice a difference in the shade of my teeth when I use these whitening strips as directed for 30 minutes a day and I frequently repurchase them.
Type: Strips | Application time: 30 minutes
Opalescence Go Teeth Whitening Trays — which have a 4.5-star average rating from 1,296 reviews on Amazon — come prefilled with a minty gel that contains 10% hydrogen peroxide. The trays are single-use and flexible, allowing them to conform to your teeth and the shape of your mouth, according to the brand. Treatments last 30 to 60 minutes.
Type: Trays | Application time: 30 to 60 minutes
Nu Skin’s AP 24 Toothpaste, an NBC Select Wellness Award winner, is formulated with gentle abrasives to remove surface stains from teeth and brighten their appearance, according to the brand. The fluoridated toothpaste, which comes in a 4-ounce tube, has a neutral vanilla mint flavor. It also contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), an ingredient found in many toothpastes that acts as a detergent for your teeth, as explained by experts in our guide to the best toothpastes. I tried Nu Skin’s toothpaste and prefer its thicker, smoother texture to most thinner, gel-like options. Plus, it doesn’t irritate my sometimes sensitive teeth.
Type: Toothpaste | Application time: 2 minutes
This ADA-approved whitening toothpaste from Burt’s Bees is formulated with hydrated silica to help remove surface stains from teeth, according to the brand. The toothpaste has a minty flavor and comes in a 4.7-ounce tube.
Type: Toothpaste | Application time: 2 minutes
ACT’s Whitening + Anticavity mouthwash contains hydrogen peroxide to brighten teeth and fluoride to help prevent cavities, according to the brand. The mouthwash is alcohol-free and dye-free, has a mint flavor and comes in a 16.9-fluid-ounce bottle. It has a 4.5-star average rating from 6,061 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Toothpaste | Application time: 2 minutes
This kit comes with a flexible LED whitening light that molds to the shape of your teeth, providing uniform coverage, according to the brand. It’s powered by your phone — you plug the device’s cable into an Apple or Android smartphone, and you can continue to use your phone during 10 minute treatments. The kit comes with a whitening pen filled with hydrogen peroxide gel that you brush over your teeth before using the light. Colgate recommends using the kit once a day for 10 days to see the best results. When I used the kit as directed, my teeth looked noticeably brighter.
Type: LED light | Application time: 10 minutes
If you’d rather use a rechargeable, wireless whitening light, Auraglow’s kit comes with a battery-powered tray that has built-in LED lights to help activate the included carbamide peroxide whitening gel. You squeeze the gel into the tray before placing it in your mouth and turning the device on to start a 30 minute treatment. The light — which has a 4.1-star average rating from 45,123 reviews on Amazon — comes with a charging case and cable.
Type: LED light | Application time: 30 minutes
Beyond its whitening strips, Colgate offers a whitening pen filled with hydrogen peroxide gel. You use the applicator tip to brush the gel over clean teeth and leave it on overnight. Each pen can be used up to 35 times and the whitening gel is safe for those with sensitive teeth, according to the brand.
Type: Pen | Application time: Overnight
Everyone’s teeth are different, so finding a whitening treatment that works for you will likely involve some trial and error, says Dr. Ilona Casellini, the founder of and a dentist at Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles, California. Pay attention to how your teeth react to different products, specifically noting which ones lighten tooth color the best with the least amount of sensitivity.
While shopping for at-home teeth whitening treatments, experts recommend considering the following factors.
The teeth whitening treatment you choose is dependent on your preferences and your dentist's recommendations. Below, we outline different options:
Frequently asked questions
Tooth stains can occur on the interior and exterior of teeth. Those inside the teeth can result from aging or some genetic disorders, while exterior surface stains are usually associated with tobacco use and the consumption of pigmented food and drinks like coffee, red wine and dark fruits, says Casellini.
Whitening products tackle tooth discoloration differently depending on whether they’re targeting interior or exterior stains, but most rely in part on bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. During treatments, these active ingredients penetrate enamel, seep into interior tooth tissues and lighten tooth color from the inside out, according to the ADA.
One of the biggest differences between teeth whiteners is the concentration of the active ingredients they’re formulated with, experts told us. The higher the concentration of the active ingredient and the longer it’s left on the teeth, the more effective the whitener typically is. But with higher concentrations of active ingredients comes concerns like tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. That’s why dentists are able to use whiteners with higher concentrations of active ingredients in their offices — professionals know how to whiten teeth based on your sensitivity level while protecting other parts of your mouth.
Whitening products that target interior stains often have a higher concentration of active ingredients since a chemical reaction is required to reach deeper inside the teeth. Those that target exterior discoloration usually have a lower concentration of active ingredients and rely on mechanical interventions like brushing with a whitening toothpaste to scrub stains off the enamel surface, thus dulling their appearance.
Teeth whitening is not for everyone. People who are unhappy with the color of their teeth or want to match their natural teeth to a crown or bridge are the best candidates for whitening, says Casellini. On the other hand, people who have prosthetics like crowns, bridges or veneers that already match the color of and are located very close to their natural teeth should not whiten them. Doing so can result in mismatched tooth colors since the natural teeth will get lighter and the prosthetics will stay the same, she says.
In-office whitening treatments are the most effective option since they’re formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients, experts told us. This is especially the case if you have discoloration from oral issues like cavities and tooth decay, which may make teeth turn a dark gray color that won’t go away with at-home whitening, says Messina. The same goes for other oral problems like plaque build-up or gum irritation.
With that being said, at-home teeth whitening products can help correct more surface-level tooth discoloration. However, it’s crucial that you use whitening products consistently. “Most people are not compliant at home and therefore do not get the results they are looking for,” says Casellini. “In-office bleaching is more effective because you get instant gratification. In one session, patients usually get one to two shades lighter and all they have to do is relax while the dentist does the work.”
Teeth whitening is safe overall. However, experts say it's important to talk to your dentist before starting a whitening treatment at home to make sure it’s a viable path for you, especially if you’ve experienced tooth or gum sensitivity in the past. If you can’t handle a higher concentration of whitening agents, your dentist can help you find a product that works best.
While whitening your teeth at home, pay attention to how you feel, especially if you’re trying something new. If at any point you notice sensitivity on your teeth or gums while using at-home whitening products, stop using the whitening product immediately and contact your dentist.
One way to ensure you’re whitening your teeth safely is to follow the product’s directions. “If it says 30 minutes, an hour isn’t better,” says Messina. “It may instead dramatically increase your tooth sensitivity, making it hard to handle cold things like ice cream or even water.”
Whether it’s dental care, skin care or hair care, anything used in excess can potentially cause damage. As far as at-home teeth whitening treatments, prolonged, continuous and incorrect use of bleaching products can be potentially harmful over time, says Casellini. “Even though at home bleaching products usually have a lower concentration of peroxide, if used excessively, it can cause your teeth to become dehydrated and brittle, not to mention overly sensitive,” she says. To prevent damage, follow a product’s directions exactly and limit how often you use at-home whitening products. Also be sure you follow a standard oral care routine that involves proper tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and mouthwash.
Beware of beauty fads and do-it-yourself approaches to teeth whitening, experts told us. They have not been studied as extensively as professional treatments or over-the-counter options, and can have negative side effects like reducing teeth hardness or increasing sensitivity, according to the ADA. A common example is using charcoal toothpaste — the abrasiveness of the ingredients can remove the enamel from your teeth overtime, which Messina compares to sanding a floor. Other common DIY teeth whitening treatments include making pastes out of acidic fruits, vinegar and baking soda, as well as oil pulling, which involves swishing coconut oil in the mouth — these practices are not well-researched and are recommended against by the ADA and our experts.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about dental care, including stories on electric toothbrushes, toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, kid’s toothpaste, floss and water flossers. For this article, she interviewed two experts about how to shop for at-home teeth whitening treatments and rounded up products that align with their guidance.
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