4 Advice to Choose a pap teeth whitening strips

Teeth whiteners are an easy, convenient way to brighten your teeth a few shades at home, but they can also work under the enamel to remove built-up staining. The best teeth whitening products function by removing both external stains, like the ones you might get from your daily cup of coffee, and intrinsic stains, which typically need to be treated on a deeper chemical level.

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While the results from at-home whitening kits won't be as drastic as professional treatment, Lena Varone, DMD, of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, says you should expect to see your teeth lightened by one to two shades depending on the product ingredient concentration, how long it's used, and the cause of your stains. 

• What to Know About Teeth Whitening Kits

  All the dentists we spoke with agreed that at-home teeth whitening kits are safe and effective, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

  • Choose the type of product that works best for your lifestyle: Whether you decide to use trays, strips, an LED kit, or a pen, it’s really up to personal preference and lifestyle. Strips and trays tend to be the most convenient, while LED kits are a little more cumbersome and awkward to keep in your mouth. LED kits provide the fastest results, followed by strips or trays, and then pens. Pens are a convenient option for whitening touch-ups but don’t provide long-term stand-alone results. 
  • Opt for products with peroxide as the main ingredient: “Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gels break down into water, oxygen, and reactive oxygen molecules,” Velayo explains. “These reactive oxygen molecules treat both the enamel and the dentin [and] by changing the stained molecules, the tooth becomes lighter.” Note that high peroxide levels (such as those 6.5% and up) can be uncomfortable for people with sensitive teeth, though.
  • Choose other active ingredients if you have sensitive teeth: Teeth whitening for sensitive teeth is possible at home, but Velayo recommends looking for fluoride, xylitol, hydroxyapatite, and potassium nitrate to help minimize sensitivity. Our top pick for sensitive teeth, the Snow Diamond Teeth Whitening Kit, contains hydroxyapatite. Our picks for best pen and best strips are both made by Lumineux and use natural ingredients, like sage, sea salt, lemon peel and coconut. Opting for products with lower levels of peroxide (less than 6%), such as the Crest 3D Whitestrips + LED Kit, can help with sensitivity, too.
  • Follow manufacturer instructions closely: Overexposure (using too much of the product or more often than recommended) can cause tooth sensitivity and wear down enamel. “Wearing away the protective enamel layer and exposing more of the soft, sensitive dentin layer is a bad idea,” says Cindy Roark, DMD, MS, Senior Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer at  Sage Dental based in Boca Raton, Florida. “The dentin underlayer is yellow, so it stands to reason that the more enamel you wear away, the yellower your teeth become.”
  • Consult with your dentist before at-home whitening: Cosmetic dentist Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS, in New York City, advises resolving dental problems such as gum disease and cavities before using whitening products. In addition, those with thin enamel are more likely to experience pain while whitening their teeth.
  • Remember that teeth whitening kits only work on natural teeth: Hovanisyan adds that whitening products will only lighten natural teeth and not work on restorations such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants.

• How We Selected the Best Teeth Whitening Kits

  To select which teeth whitening kits to test, we spoke to dental professionals, cosmetic dentists, and dental professors to understand what products and ingredients work best. 

  To date, we’ve spent more than 250 hours testing 50 different whitening devices and products in our lab and at home, judging their effectiveness, comfort, and convenience.

  We used a tooth color chart to compare our tooth shade before using each product with the results during testing and after. In our lab test, we used products once according to manufacturer instructions, took the products home, and continued to follow the manufacturer's instructions for as long as recommended or up to four weeks.

  We made our picks based on the following criteria:

  • Ingredients: How effective your at-home teeth-whitening experience is comes down to choosing the right ingredients. We spoke to dentists to find out which ingredients work best—and in what formulations—to improve your experience. Using the wrong ingredients can lead to ineffective results or even cause enamel damage. We only tested products that include the ingredients recommended by experts we consulted, including hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. To account for people with sensitive teeth, we also considered products with fluoride, xylitol, hydroxyapatite, potassium nitrate, and natural ingredients, like sea salt, coconut, sage and lemon peel. 
  • Effectiveness: We made sure each teeth whitener removed stains or brightened teeth by at least one shade, depending on the product type. We prioritized kits that experts said should provide visible results within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Comfort: Several of our testers have sensitive teeth, so we ensured that teeth whiteners for sensitive teeth—typically with a non-peroxide whitening agent or a peroxide in a lower percentage—didn’t cause discomfort or irritation. Our testers also reported whether products were comfortable during use, with strips and LED devices often requiring up to 20 to 30 minutes per session.

• Our Expertise

  Jaylyn Pruitt is an associate editor for Health. She’s covered health and wellness products since , including our list of the best whitening products for sensitive teeth. As an avid coffee drinker, she understands the convenience of at-home teeth whitening to keep her teeth bright. She spoke to dental experts and professionals for this story to discuss what to look for in teeth whiteners, how to deal with sensitivity, and how to manage expectations. The experts she interviewed included:

  • Lena Varone, DMD, of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Bianca Velayo, DMD, of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry in Henderson, Nevada
  • Lucy Hovanisyan, DDS, of ProHealth Dental in Hoboken, New Jersey
  • Cosmetic dentist Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS in New York City
  • Cindy Roark, DMD, MS, Senior Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer at Sage Dental based in Boca Raton, Florida

Why We Like It

“LED lights help to activate and speed up the chemical process that whitens teeth,” says Varone. However, she cautions that adding light alone is not a cure-all. The active ingredients (usually peroxide), combined with the light, are what make it work. The active ingredients brighten the teeth. That will happen with or without the LEDs, but lights can make the process occur a bit faster, she explains.

The Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light impressed us with its ease of use, effectiveness, and comfort. Its simple, straightforward process, and the ability to carry on with normal activities during treatment make it practical and user-friendly. With noticeable results and a gentle formula that minimizes sensitivity, it provides an unparalleled whitening experience.

“The whitening process was very straightforward,” our tester said. “It was so easy that I honestly thought I was doing it wrong!” All we had to do was apply the gel, carry on with our daily activities for 30 minutes, and then wear the LED device in our mouth for three minutes—that’s it. The entire process takes about 33 minutes and is completely painless. The device doesn’t require charging, which is convenient, and it comes in a box with a small plastic stand for the wand and whitening product.

The product's instructions recommend use twice per day, but for faster results, you can use it up to four times per day. Even when our tester occasionally used it for four applications daily, she didn’t feel any irritation. The results were noticeable, lightening our tester’s teeth by about two shades. It's easy to apply and comfortable to wear, making it worth the investment for quick, effective whitening. “This product was by far the most pleasant whitening experience that I have had,” our tester said. “I even took a Zoom call with the product on my teeth, and no one noticed a thing.”

It's Worth Noting

It’s hard to multitask when using the LED light. You only need to use it for 3 minutes each time, but it’s cumbersome to hold in place and slightly uncomfortable.

You can try to prevent it, but it’s inevitable: everyone’s teeth stain and yellow over time. Dark-colored foods and drinks are unavoidable in our diets, and genetics, thin enamel or poor oral hygiene habits can also play a role. Whatever the reason for your tooth discoloration may be, whitening strips can help fix it at home — at least somewhat. If you use them properly and consistently, they’re typically effective, says Dr. David Wagner, a cosmetic dentist at Pinar & Wagner Dental Office. But don’t assume that they’ll instantly or permanently reverse years of discoloration overnight. Results take time, and some extra deep stains require a dentist’s visit.

Below, I talked to dentists about how to shop for teeth whitening strips, as well as what their benefits and limitations are. The NBC Select staff also tested strips for three months to recommend the best options.

Selected.Our top picks

• Best for sensitive teeth$44.99$44.99

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How I picked the best teeth whitening strips

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.

• ADA Seal of Acceptance: The American Dental Association sets safety and efficacy standards that brands can voluntarily test their products against. If an item meets the standards, it can earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance. It’s safe to use items without the seal, but dentists recommend looking for ones that have it — it’s the gold standard for dental care products.
• Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are typically the main active ingredients in the gel on teeth whitening strips, says Wagner. They bleach teeth by penetrating enamel to break down stains and brighten overall color. Some strips are bleach-free and use plant-based ingredients in their gels, but are usually less effective.
• Concentration of active ingredients: The more concentrated active ingredients are, the stronger and more effective the whitening treatment is. You’ll also see faster results with more concentrated options. Strips with a low concentration of active ingredients are gentler on teeth, but they take longer to work and tend to be less effective, says Dr. Erin Fraundorf, a dentist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio.
• Format: Whitening strips adhere to your teeth for the duration of the treatment. You have to remove and throw away most strips once the treatment is over, but some dissolve on your teeth over time. Because of this, removable strips are best for at-home use, while dissolvable strips are ideal for wearing on the go.
• Sensitivity concerns: If you have sensitive teeth, choose whitening strips specifically designed with sensitivity in mind, says Fraundorf.
• Duration of treatment: You have to leave strips on your teeth for about 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the brand, to let the active ingredients do their job. Think about how much time you have to dedicate to daily treatments.

How we tested teeth whitening strips

We evaluated the following factors while testing teeth whitening stips. 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.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit pap teeth whitening strips.

• Efficacy: After using a brand’s strips for a week, we assessed whether they visibly improved the color and brightness of our teeth, and/or got rid of stains.
• Ease of use: We noted how easy it was to apply and remove strips from our teeth, and, if applicable, how seamlessly they dissolved in our mouths. We also paid attention to whether the strips adhered well with little slippage during the duration of the treatment.
• Coverage: Over-the-counter whitening strips are one size fits all. How much they cover your teeth, and how many teeth they cover in total, depends on your mouth size and shape, as well as tooth spacing. Testers paid attention to coverage and how evenly the strips whitened their top and bottom teeth.
• Side effects: Testers shared details about side effects like gum irritation and tooth sensitivity if they experienced any during or after treatment.
• Taste: We considered how whitening strips tasted when we put them in our mouths and during treatments. For example, was the taste neutral, offensive or minty? We also kept track of aftertastes, and if there was one, how long it lasted for.

The best teeth whitening strips of

The teeth whitening strips below are our testers’ 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.

Best overall

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide | Concentration: not specified | Treatment duration: 45 mins.What we like

• ADA-accepted
• Great grip
• Thin, semi-firm strips

Something to note

• Longer application time

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 how comfortable they are to wear. 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.

Best professional-grade

Opalescence Go Prefilled Whitening Trays

Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide | Concentration: 15% | Treatment duration: 15 to 20 mins.What we like

• Tray format
• Mint flavor
• Fully covers all teeth

Something to note

• Too concentrated for some

While they’re less concentrated than in-office treatments, Opalescence Go’s whitening trays have professional-grade gel, 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 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.

Best for sensitive teeth

Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips

Active ingredients: none, plant-based ingredients | Concentration: N/A | Treatment duration: 30 mins.What we like

• Peroxide-free
• Gentle on gums and enamel
• Easy to apply

Something to note

• Nothing to note at this time

Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial operations manager, says these are her favorite whitening strips because they’re not made with peroxides that typically irritate her sensitive gums. The strips are coated in a gel that has dead sea salt, lemon peel oil, coconut oil and sage oil in its formula. 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.

Best dissolvable

Moon Oral Beauty Midnight Enamel Care Dissolving Whitening Strips

Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide | Concentration: not specified | Treatment duration: 15 mins.What we like

• Ideal for travel
• Ingredients to soothe gums
• Helps restore enamel

Something to note

• May clump while dissolving

If you’re whitening your teeth 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 NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. You put them on your teeth and within about 15 minutes, 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.

How to use teeth whitening strips correctly

Here’s what dentists recommend doing to make your whitening strips work as effectively as possible.

1. Follow the brand’s instructions exactly, and don’t keep the strips on for any longer than specified. Overuse can lead to sensitivity or damage, says Fraundorf.
2. Apply strips to clean, dry teeth, says Wagner. Brush about 30 minutes to an hour before you use them to get rid of any dirt and grime, ensuring that the active ingredients can easily penetrate your enamel. Brushing immediately before putting the strips on may lead to sensitivity, so avoid doing so, he says.
3. Avoid dark-colored foods and drinks like coffee, red wine and berries for at least 24 hours after using whitening strips to prevent new stains from forming. “If it can stain a white T-shirt, it can stain your teeth,” says Fraundorf.
4. Repeat treatments every few months to sustain results over time, says Wagner. Also use other teeth whitening products between sessions, like whitening toothpaste or pens.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Meet our experts

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.

• Dr. Erin Fraundorf is a dentist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio.
• Dr. David Wagner is a cosmetic dentist at Pinar & Wagner Dental Office.

Why trust NBC Select?

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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