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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
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- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
Make sure the white strips fit snug on your teeth and don't touch the gums.
Make sure the teeth whitening strips cover the majority of your teeth.
Whitening strips should be easy to apply.
Those with sensitive teeth should look out for products without hydrogen peroxide.
Decide what length of time you're comfortable wearing white strips. Sensitive teeth should avoid prolonged wear.
Best whitening strips for sensitive teeth
Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips
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A good oral health routine requires more than just brushing your teeth twice a day. Of course, brushing helps and you should brush and floss, but that's not always enough. Over time, your teeth can still lose their bright white color. To overcome this -- and get a whiter smile -- teeth whitening is a solution worth considering. The best option is to use at-home teeth whitening solutions instead of professional whitening because the former is more affordable and can yield excellent results when maintained consistently. That's why we set out to find the best teeth-whitening strips to brighten your smile.
There are plenty of teeth whitening products available over the counter. However, I have sensitive gums, so for me, a good teeth whitening product is effective but doesn't sear my gum tissue. I know not everyone has tooth sensitivity, so to help you find the best ones for your teeth, I've put together this list of the best whitening strips on the market below.
A note before you get started: Wanting a brighter smile is valid, but maintaining healthy teeth is important. It's a good idea to consult with your dentist before you try any at-home whitening kit. This may be especially important if your dentist has told you in the past that you have some enamel erosion (enamel is the protective layer on your teeth) or if you know you need dental work, like a cavity filled. Also, whitening strips won't work on existing dental work like veneers, filings, crowns or caps.
What is the best teeth whitening strip overall?
Crest 3D Whitestrips are our pick as the best teeth whitening strips overall because our tests determined that they had the best results with the most effective active ingredients. If you have surface stains from years and years of tea, coffee and wine, the whitening agent in Crest 3D Whitestrips can effectively whiten teeth by as much as 23 levels.
Crest 3D Whitestrips are truly a classic. They're easy to find and easy to use, and I've used them many times in the past. Each Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects box contains 48 strips for 24 treatments. Wear one strip a day for 30 minutes, and Crest claims that you can remove up to 14 years of stains by the end of your last treatment.
One thing to keep in mind is the coverage is a little less than other brands on this list (such as the Rembrandt strips). I found that the cover was OK, I just wished the strips would reach over my canines more. Despite that, Crest 3D is still my No. 1 on this list, because time and time again they're effective.
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If you don’t like the feeling of whitening strips sitting on your teeth for up to 30 minutes, you can try dissolving strips, instead. Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips are applied just like any other strips, but after 15 minutes, they completely dissolve. There’s no unnecessary waste or mess and no need to rinse. The strips are also peppermint flavored.
Moon states that in two weeks or less, you can whiten your teeth up to seven shades lighter. In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, these dissolving whitening strips are free from SLS/SLES (which can irritate skin), triclosan, parabens and artificial flavors.
Anyone who has sensitive teeth should check out Lumineux Oral Essentials. Lumineux products don't include hydrogen peroxide and instead use a combination of dead sea salt, essential oils, coconut oil and aloe vera. The fit and coverage were great, although they did slip around a bit. Lumineux products are also cruelty-free.
I tested these for three consecutive days, so I can't speak to the long-term efficacy compared with other brands, but Lumineux did conduct a clinical trial that concluded Crest 3D Whitestrips were no more effective than Lumineux natural whitening strips. (The study was funded in part by Lumineux, so keep that in mind.) Still, I think they're worth a shot for people with sensitive teeth and gums.
- Price: $$
- Number of pieces: 42
- Active ingredient: Coconut oil
- Cruelty-free: Yes
- Results in: 3 weeks or less
- Level of whitening: Up to 14 shades
Zimba whitening strips are both affordable and effective at lightening the shade of your teeth. One pack comes with 28 strips for results in 14 days or less. Wear one strip for 30 minutes a day.
This cruelty-free brand has found a way to combat one of the negatives of whitening strips -- the strong, bitter taste. Zimba offers 10 different flavors to choose from, like watermelon or spearmint. On top of that, the strips have a nonslip design that grip the teeth during each treatment.
Best Teeth Whitening Strips of 2024
| Teeth Whitening Strips | Number of Strips | Results in... | Level of whitening | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crest 3D Whitestrips | 48 | About 24 days | 23 shades | $46 |
| Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips | 56 | 14 days or less | 7 shades | $40 |
| Lumineux Oral Essentials Whitening Strips | 42 | 3 weeks or less | 14 shades | $45 |
| Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips | 28 | 14 days or less | Not listed | $20 |
I began this list of teeth whitening strips with teeth whitening products that could potentially make it into this roundup, looking at things like brand reputation, buyer reviews on Amazon and full reviews by other writers. After narrowing the lengthy list of teeth whitening strips, I started testing.
It would be impossible to test the long-term efficacy of all of these whitening strips without annihilating my enamel and gum tissue or distinguishing results with back-to-back testing on my own teeth, so I judged each product against a few criteria that I think will help you make a buying decision.
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Before buying your next box of teeth whitening strips, consider these factors.
Fit
You want your strips to fully cover your teeth and not go up over your gums, which can cause gum sensitivity. Additionally, their fit should be snug. While you go about your day, waiting for it to be time to take the strips off, they should not slip and slide around your mouth.
Coverage
While whitening your molars is not necessary (since you hardly see them anyway), your teeth whitening strips should still cover a good percentage of your teeth. After you apply the strip, smile and look in the mirror. Is the strip touching all of the teeth you can see in your normal smile? If not, time to try another brand.
Ease of use
Whitening strips should be simple. Apply the product, wait a specified amount of time and take them off. If the teeth whitening strips require other steps or seem difficult to use, try another brand.
Sensations
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for products that will give you the least amount of sensitivity. Oftentimes, hydrogen peroxide is too strong for sensitive teeth, so try coconut oil, instead. Don’t suffer through a product if it burns your gums or hurts your teeth.
Length of wear
Most strips require at least 30 minutes of wear in order to get the best results. If you have sensitive teeth or not enough time for teeth whitening strips, look for products that don’t require much wear.
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Do dentists recommend white strips?
According to the American Dental Association, it is recommended to use only over-the-counter bleaching kits with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These include Crest White Strips.
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Should I brush before using teeth whitening strips?
You can brush before applying teeth whitening strips. Brushing and flossing before doing so will remove plaque and create a cleaner canvas. It's advised to wait 30 minutes after brushing to use whitening strips.
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Are teeth whitening strips OK for your teeth?
If you have healthy teeth and good oral health, using a reputable teeth whitening kit should be fine when used as directed. Teeth whitening products are only meant to be used occasionally and in moderation, and it's always a better idea to speak with your dentist first about finding the best option for you. Additionally, steer clear of teeth whitening strips that contain chlorine dioxide.
People who need dental work or have tooth pain should consult with their dentist to find out if teeth whitening is right for them.
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Do whitening strips work on really yellow teeth?
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products may not be powerful enough for very stained teeth. If you're looking for exceptional results for yellow teeth, consult your dentist.
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What are the negatives of teeth whitening strips?
The negatives of teeth whitening strips include possible tooth and gum sensitivity. If you use teeth whitening strips too often, it can damage your enamel, and some of the results might not be the exact shade you imagine.
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