Do Whitening Strips Work?

Evidence-based guide to teeth whitening strips effectiveness including clinical trial results, comparison with professional treatments, safety profile, tooth sensitivity rates, and how to achieve optimal results

Do Whitening Strips Work?
Dr. Rob Jung _ Last updated

While laser tooth whitening can set you back a substantial amount of cash, there is another simpler and cheaper way to whiten your teeth yourself. Whitening strips are the talk of the town when it comes to teeth whitening, but do they actually work? We reveal the scoop behind teeth whitening strips, and whether they are able to give you that pearly white smile.

Do Whitening Strips Work?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the brand and type of whitening strips that you use, the type of teeth you have, and the severity of the stains on your teeth. There is a huge selection of teeth whitening strips available to purchase, and not all of them are effective.

Most contain a small percentage of hydrogen peroxide, which is a type of bleach that is able to whiten teeth. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in each sachet will vary, as will the time that it needs to develop. In order to get the best results, you will need to regularly use the strips (as recommended on the product packaging) so that they can safely whiten the teeth over time.

Some whitening strips come with a teeth whitening chart which will let you see the transformation after the course of teeth whitening strips. One of the most popular brands is Crest, and they make several different types of strips, including a gentle routine course which has excellent reviews from past happy customers.

How to Use Teeth Whitening Strips

Always follow the instructions that are printed on the back of the teeth whitening strip sachets or on the box, as each will be different. Typically the strips are attached to a plastic sheet. You will have to carefully peel the strips off, and then stick one around your top set of teeth and one around the bottom set.

After you have left them on for the suggested amount of time, you can peel them off and dispose of them. Whitening strips are designed to only be used once. You should avoid getting the gel on the strips on your mouth or skin, as it can cause a burning sensation.

Sources and References

  1. [1]
    Effectiveness of Whitening Strips Use Compared With Supervised Dental Bleaching: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
    Operative Dentistry
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33215202/
  2. [2]
    Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter whitening strips as compared to home-whitening with 10% carbamide peroxide gel--systematic review of RCTs and metanalysis
    Clinical Oral Investigations
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26245272/
  3. [3]
    Single site meta-analysis of 6% hydrogen peroxide whitening strip effectiveness and safety over 2 weeks
    Journal of Dentistry
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19233534/
  4. [4]
    Treatment Durations and Whitening Outcomes of Different Tooth Whitening Systems
    Medicina (Kaunas)
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37374334/

All sources accessed and verified on . Medical information reviewed for accuracy and compliance with current guidelines.

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Medically Reviewed

Reviewed by Dr. Nasim Mechoui , BDS (Bristol)

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Dr. Rob Jung

Award-winning cosmetic and implant dentist specializing in smile makeovers and dental implants in London.

Experience: 10+ years

Dr. Rob Jung is an award-winning cosmetic and implant dentist with a passion for creating beautiful, healthy smiles. He specializes in comprehensive smile makeovers and advanced implant procedures, offering patient-centered care with flexible payment options.

Education

  • Dentistry
    Medical University of Łódź, Poland (2016)

Certifications

  • GDC Registration
    General Dental Council (2017)
  • Digital Dentist of the Year
    Industry Award (2021)
Cosmetic Dentistry Implant Dentistry

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