Teeth whitening strips are thin strips of plastic coated with a gel that contains a whitening agent. When you wear the strips over your teeth, the gel comes into contact with the teeth and delivers a whitening effect.

There are a range of different whitening products used in teeth whitening strips. Most will contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which work by penetrating the tooth surface and breaking down the pigments that cause staining. Less common ingredients include chlorine dioxide and phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP).  

Teeth whitening strips are an effective way to brighten your teeth. However, the actual results will depend on the source of your stains, the level of staining, your oral health, and your teeth’s natural color. If you have stains from lifestyle habits like drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes, teeth whitening strips will be able to noticeably improve your teeth by a couple of shades. However, if you have very heavy staining, you may need to have a professional whitening treatment to get the results you want. It’s important to note that teeth whitening strips won’t remove stains occurring from plaque and tartar build-up, health issues or reactions to medications. In these cases, you will need to address the source of the staining with your dental professional or medical provider.  

If you use teeth whitening strips as directed, you should see results in about seven days. There are more advanced whitening strips claiming results as early as three days. Once you complete a full cycle, results can last up to six months. To help your teeth stay whiter longer, brush with a whitening toothpaste and avoid foods and drinks that stain the teeth, like red wine and coffee.
 

Regular-strength teeth whitening strips range from $15 - $30 for a one-week treatment kit. You can purchase them just about anywhere toothpaste is sold. You can also check with your dental office to see if they sell professional strips, which contain stronger whitening ingredients. They may be a little more expensive than those sold in stores. Strips are a very affordable and effective way to try whitening your teeth, especially compared to in-office whitening treatment options (such as lasers), which can be much more expensive.

Teeth whitening is considered safe for adults, but children and pregnant women should consult their doctor before use. You may experience teeth sensitivity if you use teeth whitening strips for a prolonged period of time, or you leave the strips on your teeth for longer than instructed on the packaging. For that reason, it’s important to always follow the directions. You should also take care not to place the strips in contact with your gums, as the whitening agents can cause irritation. 

Teeth whitening strips are just one of many options for achieving a brighter, whiter smile. Here are some others…

Whitening toothpastes, such as Colgate® Optic White® Purple Toothpaste for Teeth Whitening, usually contain very small, abrasive particles to physically lift away surface stains as you brush. Others, such as Colgate® Optic White® Advanced Toothpaste, also contain mild bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide for a deeper clean.

To complement your whitening toothpaste, you can also use mouthwashes that contain hydrogen peroxide, like Colgate® Optic White® Whitening Mouthwash.

A whitening pen is filled with the same type of whitening gel as you’ll find on whitening strips, but it’s designed to be brushed onto your teeth instead. The Colgate® Optic White® Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen is designed to be left on while you sleep, lifting years of staining with just one week of daily use. For even faster results, the Colgate® Optic White® Express Teeth Whitening Pen starts brightening teeth after just one day.

A whitening tray is custom-fitted to your teeth and filled with whitening gel, which you then wear over your teeth for a short period of time

Home whitening systems offer more advanced stain removal than lighter-touch options like whitening toothpastes and pens. The Colgate® Optic White® ComfortFit LED Teeth Whitening Kit, for example, uses a patented indigo-wavelength LED device to enhance the effects of the whitening pen for even brighter results.

Over-the-counter products have a strict limit on how much bleaching agent they can contain, but dental professionals can provide much stronger products. So if you’re looking for significant whitening effects that you can’t get from over-the-counter products, or you want faster results, a professional whitening might be the better option. Some treatments, like laser-activated whitening, must be performed in the office, but other options, such as prescription-strength whitening trays, can be provided by your dentist for use at home.  

If you want to brighten up your smile, teeth whitening strips may be ideal for you. They are easy to use, affordable, and work on removing surface stains. Talk to your dental professional for their opinion. Remember, good oral hygiene at home and routine professional cleanings make whiter teeth as well.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.