Tea, coffee, wine, curry are some of our favorite things and, unfortunately, they are also some of the most famous ways to stain teeth. Food and drink, cigarette smoke, and certain medications can cause tooth discoloration over time. Your friendly local dentist can provide professional hydrogen peroxide whitening and extra UV light to restore your teeth to their former glory, but it will cost you hundreds of pounds. Home whitening kits offer a safe and inexpensive option, and patches are the easiest whitening products to use. But do they work?
We’ve researched some of the best teeth whitening strips on the market right now to help you get a Baywatch smile at home. Read our home whitening guide as well as our favorite whitening strips below.
Teeth whitening kits use bleaching agents such as urea or hydrogen peroxide, the same bleaches that dentists use in professional whitening, but at lower concentrations. Some home kits require you to apply whitening gel to your teeth or place it in a tray in your mouth, but teeth whitening strips contain a whitening agent in the form of thin plastic strips that stick to your teeth. The bleach then destroys the stain deeper than toothpaste alone can penetrate.
Teeth whitening strips and gels are safe for most people to use at home if used as directed. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, talk to your dentist before using whitening gels or strips, as bleach can irritate your gums and cause soreness. Teeth may also become more sensitive during and after treatment. Waiting at least 30 minutes after bleaching before brushing can help, as well as switching to a softer toothbrush. Do not wear the strips for longer than indicated as this may irritate and damage your teeth.
Teeth whitening is not recommended for persons under the age of 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Whitening kits also don’t work on crowns, veneers, or dentures, so talk to your dentist if you have any of these. Do not use strips immediately after dental treatment such as crowns or fillings, or while wearing orthodontic braces.
Be careful buying stronger products that are not licensed for use in the UK (Crest Whitestrips are a common over-the-counter product in the US, but not in the UK). Websites claiming to sell these and similar products in the UK are not legitimate and are likely selling counterfeit versions.
Use the strip for up to 30 minutes a day. Carefully follow the instructions on the kit you choose, as some test strips are designed to shorten development time.
Because the concentration of bleach used is lower than what a dentist can provide, most home whitening methods give results in about two weeks. Results are expected to last approximately 12 months.
For safety reasons, home whitening kits in the UK can contain up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, and your dentist, using special forms, can safely use concentrations up to 6% without damaging your teeth or gums. This means that professional treatments often achieve more visible whitening results. Dentist-only treatments such as laser whitening (where a bleach solution is activated by illuminating the teeth with a laser beam) are also faster, taking as little as 1-2 hours.
When used correctly, home kits are sure to lighten your teeth by several shades. You may want to visit your dentist for at least one thorough cleaning before starting treatment, as plaque and tartar on your teeth can prevent bleach from penetrating into stains, so brushing everything out first will definitely improve your treatment results.
Avoid the main culprits for staining after teeth whitening, including tea, coffee, and cigarettes. If you consume darker food or drink, rinse with water as soon as possible to reduce the chance of staining; using a straw can also reduce the contact time of the drink with the teeth.
Brush and floss as usual after whitening. A whitening toothpaste will help prevent stains from appearing on the surface once the desired level of whiteness has been achieved. Look for products that contain mild, natural abrasives like baking soda or charcoal that don’t penetrate enamel like the bleaches in whitening products, but are great after whitening to keep your whiteness.
At Expert Reviews, we know that hands-on testing gives us the best and most complete product information. We test all the teeth whitening strips we review and take pictures of the results so we can compare the whitening results before and after using the products as directed for a week.
In addition to evaluating the product’s ease of use, we also note any special instructions, how the strip fits and seals your teeth, how comfortable the strip is to use, and whether there are issues with stickiness or mess around the mouth. Finally, we record whether the product tastes good (or not).
Designed by two dentists, these easy-to-use hydrogen peroxide strips are one of the most effective strips on the market for brighter, whiter teeth in just two weeks. This kit contains 14 pairs of whitening strips for upper and lower teeth, plus a whitening toothpaste to help you maintain a radiant smile after whitening. Before use, brush and dry your teeth, leave the strips on for an hour, then rinse off any excess gel. The process is simple and clean, and takes an hour longer than the average treatment, the result of a gentle whitening process that is ideal for sensitive teeth. Best results are achieved after 14 days, but these gentle yet effective strips can make your teeth whiter sooner.
Main details – processing time: 1 hour; number of sticks per package: 28 sticks (14 days); the package also contains whitening toothpaste (100 ml)
Price: £23 | Buy Now at Boots If you don’t want to wait hours (or even 30 minutes) for whiter teeth, these strips provide fast results in just one week and can be used for 5 minutes twice a day. The thin, flexible strip dissolves in the mouth, leaving less waste, and has a pleasant minty flavor. To achieve such a fast result, there is an additional step: before applying the strips, paint over with a liquid accelerator containing sodium chlorite, a stain remover, and gently apply the strips with the sticky side down. After the strips have dissolved, rinse off the residue. The results are thinner than some of the other strips reviewed here, but if you prefer a faster cure then these may be for you.
Pro Teeth Whitening Co whitening strips contain a peroxide-free formula and activated charcoal to clean and whiten teeth. Each pouch contains two differently shaped strips for the upper and lower teeth to help them properly form and adhere. As usual, you brush and dry your teeth before applying and leave for 30 minutes. The wood chips may leave a slight black charcoal residue behind, but this can be easily brushed off. Suitable for vegetarians, these strips are also gentle on tooth enamel, making them a great option for people with sensitive teeth or gums.
Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective whitening agent, but it can irritate the gums and increase tooth sensitivity. These whitening strips whiten teeth up to six shades and are peroxide free, making them especially suitable for sensitive teeth. These strips fit your teeth well and are comfortable and pleasant to use. Results are slightly less noticeable than peroxide formulas, but still visible after two weeks. If you’re looking to avoid peroxide, these strips offer a safe and effective alternative, and are also vegan friendly.
Boots’ peroxide-free soft whitening patches are designed to be applied twice a day for 15 minutes and dissolve in the mouth during treatment, reducing waste. Apply as usual, brushing, drying teeth and rinsing after use to remove light sticky residue. The effect is more subtle than some peroxide-based products on the market, but it’s a good option for gradual whitening or post-professional care.
Are you going to a party or a special event and urgently need teeth whitening? You need ultra-fast tooth extraction from Wisdom oral care specialists. Simply apply strips (brush and dry teeth, then apply over contour strips) for visible teeth whitening in as little as 30 minutes a day for three days. Affordable prices and fast results.
Main details – processing time: 30 minutes; number of sticks per pack: 6 sticks (3 days); the set also includes a whitening pen (100 ml)
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Post time: Jul-25-2023