Our Editors And Their Dentists Swear By These Teeth Whitening Strips

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If you love starting your day with coffee, then winding down with a big glass of red wine in the evening, chances are your teeth might be a bit stained. Don't freak—I can assure you that you're not alone. Besides, that's why teeth whitening kits and strips exist. They're the easiest way to a brighter and whiter smile.

If you're new to the at-home teeth whitening game, you may feel that it's a bit daunting to find something that's both effective, fast, comes dentist-recommended, and may also work well with sensitive teeth. That's why Women's Health consulted eight dentists to see which teeth whitening kits and strips they recommend to their patients.

Dentist Maria Ryan, DDS, says to start by looking for active ingredients, citing hydrogen peroxide as one she particularly recommends. "Hydrogen peroxide is used in oral care products to effectively whiten teeth," she says. "It serves as a bleaching agent that chemically breaks down stains by penetrating the teeth and removing compounds that may cause discoloration." (And you can find more tips at the bottom of this list).

Ready for a brighter smile? See below for the best dentist-recommended teeth whitening kits and strips in 2023. These have all been tested and approved by Women's Health editors.

3D Whitestrips

Cosmetic dentist (and founder/CEO of SymplBrush) Dr. Keith Arbeitman, DDS raves about Crest's bestselling Whitestrips. "I tend to recommend Crest Whitestrips simply because they led the way and actually invest considerably into research and development," he says. "The only reason we’re even having this discussion is because Crest put it into the market." Plus, they even have an option for sensitive teeth.

Editor Review: "They are very comfortable and I can still talk and do all my daily activities with them in. Forty-five minutes is not a big commitment. I didn't notice a huuuge difference in a week, but I imagine I will eventually." —Amanda Lucci, deputy editor, content strategy

Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit

If you're already a fan of the brand's no-fuss overnight whitening pen, this kit—which comes with the pen and an LED whitening light—will impress you even more. It whitens and removes stains in as little as ten days (with consistent use) and it won't even make your teeth feel sensitive. Bonus: you can plug it into your iPhone or Android, so there's no charging necessary.

Rave Review: "I didn’t expect much from this but it really did make a difference after two weeks or so, and I started noticing changes around a week. Easy to use, the liquid doesn’t taste bad, and plugs into the phone."

Teeth Whitening Kit

The Auraglow kit's LED light speeds up the whitening process, making it 10 times faster than just using the whitening gel alone, says the brand. It's also made with a built-in 30-minute timer, so that you know exactly when it's time to remove it.

Editor Review: "I like the easy-to-apply strips—no sensitivity/pain whatsoever—and pleasant/sweet taste of the whitening solution. My routine has been to get settled in bed, turn on a show, and stick these on for 30 minutes. I don't need a mirror to apply. I also don't end up with a mouth of goo and bubbles while they work. I unstick them and head to bed. Then, I wake up in the morning with brighter, whiter teeth each day (and I already have fairly white teeth, so seeing a difference is major.)" —Jennifer Nied, fitness editor

3D White Brilliance Two-Step Kit

Ok, so maybe you want to dip your toe in the teeth whitening pond rather than dive straight in with LED kits or strips. In that case, Lauren Becker, DDS recommends this budget-friendly kit from Crest. The first step removes plaque while helping prevent sensitivity, and then step two contains the bleaching agent, peroxide.

Expert Review: "My patients get noticeable results in under a week's time with this without breaking the bank. White strips can be bulky, annoying, and require consistency and time, while all this requires is the two minutes in which you should already be brushing your teeth." —Dr. Becker

Teeth Whitening Strip Kit

Let's be real—having what feels like plastic in your mouth for a while can feel funny. But these no-slip strips from Burst stay in place, so that you feel as least awkward as possible. They can also lead to results in as a little as seven days.

Editor Review: "As much as I love having bright white teeth, I enjoy my morning cup of chai too much to give it up. I love Burst's whitening strips because they don't slip like a lot of others I've tried—I can carry on a full conversation while wearing them. I also appreciate that they don't irritate my sensitive teeth. I use them for about a week every other month or so as a touch-up and I get compliments on how white my teeth are quite often!" —Neha Tandon, senior commerce editor

At-Home Whitening Kit

"I’ve always liked Laughland’s approach," says periodontist Dr. Peter TJ Kwon, DDS. "They’re among the only safe at-home whitening products to clearly state the bleaching agent they use, as well as the amount in each formula, giving patients the ability to choose the formula that best fits them." Simply push some gel on to the LED mouthpiece, plug it straight in to your phone, and watch Real Housewives for as long as you'd like to leave it in for (20 minutes is usually fine).

Editor Review: "My personal favorite, I love how easy Laughland is to use and that it gives me a lot of control over how strong of a whitening sesh I want to have depending on the results I'm looking for or how sensitive my teeth feel at the time." —Neha Tandon, senior commerce editor

Take Home Kit

For just over $30, Philips Zoom offers a fully customized whitening kit based upon a consultation you do with your dentist. Periodontist Timothy Donley, DDS highly recommends it to his patients. "You'll be fitted for a customized tray to perfectly fit your teeth and gum line, ensuring that the whitening solution penetrates teeth without creating any irritation to your gums," he says.

Expert Review: "No matter what formula you get, they're all packed with enamel-protecting ingredients that reduce sensitivity. Patients get noticeable results in days, whitening teeth up to eight shades lighter." —Dr. Donley

Home Teeth Whitening 35% Syringes

Biologic cosmetic dentist Gerry Curatola, DDS recommends Opalescene's no-frills carbamide peroxide gel-filled syringes to you minimalists out there. To use it, you need a custom dental tray from your dentist. Some people have used their night guards or Invisalign trays, but you should discuss it with a professional first.

Expert Review: "There are lots of other at-home whitening systems, but this remains one of the mainstays of the most researched and most used professional at-home teeth whitening products." —Dr. Curatola

Teeth Whitening Strips

If you're worried about how whitening may affect your enamel, Lumineux's whitening strips are your go-to pick, since they're free of hydrogen peroxide. They're also an Amazon top-rated find with almost 17,000 five-star reviews from people who love they're gentle, yet effective whitening approach.

Editor Reviews: "I liked their ease of use and it wasn't annoying to wear them (only 30 minutes for the treatment and I forgot they were there). They worked pretty well—I've never used whitening strips before so I can't compare it to anything, but I did notice improvement. My only complaint is they initially leave behind white blotches on your teeth that take a while to go away (the box warns this and says it could take 24 to 48 hours to disappear). Mine faded pretty quickly (but still worried me at first haha)." —Olivia Evans, editorial assistant

"I really liked how the kit included a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as a Bamboo toothbrush. It was a really easy and quick process, and I loved how many strips were included. I would totally recommend it to a friend who needed a quick treatment or gift it to someone (artfully and non-offensively), since it included more than just the strips." —Isabel McMahon, assistant social media editor

Teeth Whitening Kit

When in doubt, trust the reviews. These strips from VieBeauti have over 25,000 five-star reviews from fans of the product who saw results in just a week with little to no sensitivity. The kit also comes with two moldable whitening trays, so you can easily share this with a friend or family member.

Rave Review: "This is the best whitening kit! I’m a repeat buyer after such awesome results the first time. I drink A LOT of coffee every day and enjoy my red wine. On top of that, I have a bonded front tooth, so any discoloration on my teeth becomes noticeable. When I started to notice the difference between my tooth color and my bonded tooth, I quickly ordered this kit. Within three days, any discoloration was gone! I love using the gel and UV. It’s super easy—fool proof!"

Teeth Whitening Kit

If you want to see results without dealing with a bitter or plastic taste for a few days, reviewers recommend this kit from iSmile. Customers say you can barely taste the whitening gel unlike some other options, and if you do taste it, it isn't overwhelmingly bitter.

Rave Review: "These results are from using it for only two days. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The blue remineralizing gel tastes pretty good. I haven't had any tooth sensitivity yet, and I use it for the max time every time. I'm very impressed and would 10/10 recommend."

How Our Team Chose The Best Teeth Whitening Strips And Kits

For the past year, Women’s Health editors, including our commerce editor Jasmine Gomez and senior commerce editor Neha Tandon, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated teeth whitening strips and kits.

Our team consulted dentist Maria Ryan, DDS, cosmetic dentist (and founder/CEO of SymplBrush) Keith Arbeitman, DDS, Fatima Khan, dentist and co-founder at Riven Oral Care, biologic cosmetic dentist Gerry Curatola, DDS, Lauren Becker, DDS, periodontist Timothy Donley, DDS, and cosmetic celebrity dentist Sean Kutlay, DDS. Our team then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best teeth whitening treatments for a wide range of needs and preferences.

What should I look for in teeth whitening strips?

Your teeth are strong, but pretty sensitive at the same time. Here's what you should keep in mind when shopping for teeth whitening strips.

Ingredients

The best whitening strips will be made with carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, says Fatima Khan, dentist and co-founder at Riven Oral Care. "They both provide intrinsic whitening, which involves a chemical reaction that changes the color of the tooth." Peroxide, specifically, breaks down into oxygen molecules that can enter the tooth structure and react with the molecules causing discoloration," she explains.

It's also recommended to stick to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide when using teeth whitening strips, says Khan. "At-home trays at higher concentrations [can lead] to severe sensitivity."

Avoid chlorine

Some teeth whitening strips contain chlorine dioxide, which is the same chlorine you find in swimming pools, says Khan. Unfortunately, the chlorine can strip the enamel off of your teeth leading to tooth sensitivity and other issues. It's best to opt for ones that are both chlorine and alcohol-free.

If you're worried about tooth safety, Khan recommends shopping for strips with the ADA (American Dental Association) seal. "They take the highest quality and safety into account," says Khan.

Fit

Cosmetic celebrity dentist Sean Kutlay, DDS, says you should make sure the strips you do opt for fully cover your teeth. Misfit strips can lead to uneven whitening or gum irritation.

What are the benefits of using teeth whitening strips?

There are plenty, but the biggest reason people love them is that they're cost effective compared to in-office whitening treatments. "For reference, whitening strips can cost around $50-$150. At-home whitening trays can cost from $200-400. In-office whitening can cost $500 and up," says Khan. Plus, you can whiten right from the comfort of your own home—no trips to the dentist's office needed.

The concentration of peroxide is lower in at-home whitening treatments, which may mean it takes longer to actually see results, but this also means that the risk for sensitivity is lower, Khan adds.

A whiter smile can also make you more confident, Dr. Kutlay says. "Studies show that people with whiter, nicer teeth also have better job prospects, are higher earners, and advance further in their careers. Lots of this is external, but some of it has to do with the confidence you feel with a winning smile," he explains.

Are whitening strips good for your teeth?

Using teeth whitening strips has been found to be safe and not harmful if you follow the manufacturer's directions, says Dr. Kutlay. However, if you do misuse or overuse them that can lead to sensitivity, gingival irritation, and white streaks, adds Khan.

How often should you use whitening strips?

Always make sure you follow the directions that come with your whitening treatment. "How often you should use whitening strips depends on the brand. There are brands that recommend whitening once a day and others suggest twice a day," says Khan. The duration of wear for some brands can be 30 minutes and for others an hour.

Usually, the recommended period may be one to two weeks, and the results should last up to six months, says Khan. In general, Dr, Kutlay suggests going through an at-home whitening treatment once or twice a year.

Should I brush my teeth after using teeth whitening strips?

Whitening strips are usually very easy to use. "You just peel, stick, and forget them until the instructed time to take them off," says Dr. Kutlay. But you should remember to wash your teeth after use. "You don’t have to rinse with mouthwash or anything else—a water rinse right after you take them off will suffice."

How do I keep my teeth white?

if you're really serious about upping your teeth whitening game, cosmetic dentist Dr. Lauren Becker, DDS has the ultimate loophole to those of you foodies and lovers of wine.

"Since I'm a cool dentist and know how to have a good time, instead of cutting out alcohol all together, I suggest options that are lighter in color," she says. "Avoid acidic beverages like juices, sodas, or dark sauces like soy sauce and ketchup," she says. "Instead of whiskey or red wine, I recommend my patients enjoy white wine, vodka, or tequila.

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