Whitening Strips: Do They Work And How To Use Them

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHuman BiologyWhat to know about teeth whitening strips

Medically reviewed by Olivia Sugimoto, D.M.D. — Written by Steph Coelho, CPT — Updated on February 27, 2026

Do they work?
What to look for
How to use
Pros and cons
Alternatives
Stain prevention
Summary

Key takeaways

Whitening strips are a popular dental product that may help remove stains from and whiten the teeth.
While they are not as effective as treatments from a dentist’s office, they can be a more simple and cheap alternative. They work more slowly and with less intensity than professional dental treatments.
People should take care to check the ingredients of the strips and apply them carefully. Some people may experience side effects such as temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.

Teeth whitening strips are available for purchase over the counter (OTC). They can help remove stains and whiten teeth.

People apply whitening strips directly to their teeth. Although the strips contain chemicals, such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, they are generally safe and effective if they bear the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

However, people may experience adverse effects when using any whitening products. It can be a good idea to speak with a dentist before trying whitening strips. The dentist can recommend products based on individual circumstances, as well as advising on remedies for any side effects.

Read on to learn more about whether whitening strips work, what to look for when buying them, how to use them, their pros and cons, and how to avoid teeth staining.

Do teeth whitening strips work?

A person applying a whitening strip to their teeth. — chameleonseye/Getty Images

According to the ADA, teeth whitening products, including strips, can help effectively remove both internal and external stains on teeth. However, they do not work on dentures.

A 2020 review also states that teeth whitening strips are an effective OTC agent that typically works better than other OTC whitening agents, such as whitening toothpaste.

However, it is important to note that at-home whitening strips contain lower concentrations of whitening ingredients than dentist-supplied products. OTC whitening strips may not be as effective for heavy staining on teeth.

Additionally, the effectiveness of the strips may rely on the strength of the chemicals and how long people keep them on the teeth. However, using teeth whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide can cause damage to the teeth.

Therefore, it may be advisable to discuss the use of these products with a dentist before use.

What to look for when buying teeth whitening strips

When shopping for whitening strips, people may wish to consider the following:

Ingredients: People should opt for products that contain proven effective ingredients, including carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. However, some whitening strips contain more hydrogen peroxide than legal limits. It is best to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Dentist approval: It is advisable to look for products with approval from dental organizations, including the ADA Seal of Acceptance, as well as recommendations from a person’s own dentist.
Customer reviews: People can also check online reviews to see what others have to say about a product. A comparison of before and after photos can provide an accurate view of what to expect from a particular brand of whitening strip. Additionally, a person can ask their dentist for specific advice. Be mindful of sponsored reviews, as these are more likely to be biased in favor of the company marketing the product.

How to use teeth whitening strips

People should carefully read any information on the product’s packaging and instructions before using whitening strips.

In general, using teeth whitening strips usually involves applying the strips directly to the teeth.

Manufacturers may recommend avoiding brushing the teeth shortly before applying the strips. A person will then leave the strips on their teeth for the recommended length of time. This duration may vary among products.

The manufacturer instructions should also advise on how frequently you should apply the strips. These instructions may vary depending on the product.

Therefore, a person should follow the guidelines on the packaging and never wear the strips for longer than the manufacturer suggests.

Pros and cons of teeth whitening strips

The pros of using whitening strips may include:

effective whitening
ease of use
no need to visit the dentist
affordability

While there are advantages to using whitening strips, there are also some downsides. These include the following:

The strips can cause side effects, such as tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
As whitening strips use bleaching agents to achieve their effects, the overuse of these products can damage the teeth.
Some people might not get the results they want with at-home whitening strips, which may not have dramatic effects. A person may have to do several sessions to get noticeable results.
It may be difficult to keep the strips in place, so using them might be fiddly.

Following the manufacturer instructions can help reduce the likelihood of side effects.

If a person has gum disease or another dental disease, they should consult a dentist before trying OTC whitening strips.

Alternatives to teeth whitening strips

There are two categories of dental whitening products: those available through a dentist and those for sale OTC.

Aside from whitening strips, other products available OTC include:

whitening toothpaste
whitening mouthwash
whitening gels
whitening trays
whitening powder

A person can also get whitening products or services through their dentist. Dentist-supplied whitening products are usually more concentrated. The options available directly from dentists include:

custom dental trays with bleaching gels, for either at-home or in-office application
light-activated bleaching, which is an in-office procedure
power bleaching

Some people prefer to use natural products to remove stains, but most reports of effectiveness are anecdotal at best.

Similar to the possible risks of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, it is important to apply caution if using certain products that people sometimes recommend, such as fruit juices, vinegar, or scrubs. These may instead cause damage to the teeth or make staining even worse.

»Learn more:Natural ways to whiten teeth

How to prevent teeth staining

Avoiding potential causes of teeth staining is the best way to help prevent staining as much as possible. There are various reasons why teeth may stain over time. These include:

high intake of certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine, and tea
use of tobacco products
medications, such as certain antibiotics and asthma medications
wear and tear due to aging

People can attempt to avoid staining by limiting their consumption of foods and drinks that are known to discolor teeth. They can also try to stop smoking or chewing tobacco, if applicable.

If medications are the culprit, a healthcare professional may be able to recommend alternatives if they are available.

Summary

Teeth whitening strips are generally safe to use and can be a beneficial and cost effective way to remove stains from the teeth. However, it is important that people use them correctly to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects.

Some people may experience gum irritation and tooth sensitivity after using whitening products. In some cases, these products may damage enamel on the teeth.

People considering the use of teeth whitening products may wish to first discuss them with their dentist. It is also important to check user reviews, dentists’ recommendations, and ingredient lists. It can be beneficial to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Although at-home bleaching products work, they may not produce results equal to those of in-office bleaching procedures.

Dentistry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dentists and Which? warn of risks from buying teeth whitening products online. (2021).https://www.bda.org/media-centre/dentists-and-which-warn-of-risks-from-buying-teeth-whitening-products-online/
Naidu AS, et al. (2020). Over-the-counter tooth whitening agents: A review of literature.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342912426_Over-the-Counter_Tooth_Whitening_Agents_A_Review_of_Literature
Vilhena KFB, et al. (2019). Dental enamel bleached for a prolonged and excessive time: Morphological changes. .https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214948
Wang J, et al. (2023). Drug-induced tooth discoloration: An analysis of the US Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10133538/
Whitening. (2022).https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/whitening

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Medically reviewed by Olivia Sugimoto, D.M.D. — Written by Steph Coelho, CPT — Updated on February 27, 2026

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Tag » When Should You Use Whitening Strips

Whitening Strips: Do They Work And How To Use Them

Key takeaways

Do teeth whitening strips work?

What to look for when buying teeth whitening strips

How to use teeth whitening strips

Pros and cons of teeth whitening strips

Alternatives to teeth whitening strips

How to prevent teeth staining

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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