The best teeth whitening strips can offer you a whiter smile without having to fork out for professional treatment you can’t afford. If you are looking for whiter teeth or need an extra boost in your oral health routine, trying teeth whitening products like strips is an easy, less expensive, and more effective short-term solution.
Yellowing teeth are a natural part of ageing, and over periods of time, certain foods and drinks can cause teeth staining, but did you know that genetics and medication such as chemotherapy can affect the colour of your teeth in the long term too?
The best teeth whitening strips at a glance:
• Best for quick results: Wisdom Intense White – 3 Day Express Teeth Whitening Strips - Buy now on Superdrug
• Best value: Professional Teeth Whitening Strips - 21 Sessions - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best for discolouration: Billion Dollar Teeth Whitening Strips x 28 - Buy now on Superdrug
• Best for sensitive teeth: Premium Teeth Whitening Strips - 14 Whitening Sessions - Buy now on Amazon UK
If you're in search of that gleaming white smile but don’t want to fork out on professional dental treatment at your dentist, here are the best teeth whitening strips available on the market to help remove stains, including the best for sensitive teeth and tea and coffee stains.
Best teeth whitening strips
Best for quick results
www.superdrug.com
These Wisdom Intense White Teeth Whitening Strips are peroxide free and claim to offer results in just three days. However, it does depend on how white your teeth are in the first place. Use them for 30 mins, once per day for three days. For best results, the strips should be applied to dry teeth.
Customer review: "This product whitened my teeth by three shades in 3 days which I was really impressed with. However, the strips are kind of difficult to apply which is why I’m only giving 4 stars."
Pros
- Wrap over design for maximum coverage
- Quick
Cons
- Some reviews say it doesn't stick very well
Best viral teeth whitening strips
www.smiletimeteeth.com
If you've seen Dragon's Den before, you may recognise the brand Smile Time Teeth from their appearance on the hit BBC show. Back by 30 years of dental expertise, the seven-day course of teeth whitening strips has been designed with the ultimate convenience in mind, to deliver results after just one use, with no sensitivity, and a fresh minty taste that leaves your mouth feeling clean.
The strips stand out from the rest and are Vegan and Peroxide Free.
Customer review: "I like these. I have very sensitive teeth and low enamel. I haven't been able to find a whitening system that doesn't hurt my teeth until I came across these. I use the strips once or twice a week (just cause my teeth will eventually become sensitive) but even so, I have yet to experience that. My teeth are 3 shades whiter and I've only used 4 strips thus far. I am very happy with my current result and can't wait to see the final."
Pros
- Great for sensitivity
- Backed by dental experts
Cons
- Some reviews say they didn't make much of a difference
Best value
If you're looking for Teeth Whitening Strips that come in larger packs, these Whitening Laboratory Teeth Whitening promise to make it easy to achieve a brighter, more confident smile in as little as 30 per day. Contains a three-week supply at a great price. The Peroxide-free formula uses naturally derived ingredients and a PAP (phthalimide peroxy caproic acid) formula to gently lift away years of tough set-in stains, without causing sensitivity or damaging enamel.
Customer review: "Visible difference even after first use. Doesn't make teeth sensitive which happened with me before with other whitening strips. The taste is not too bad actually. I was using it for more than 30-40 mins each time and my teeth were never sensitive, really good product. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Great value
- Peroxide free
- Quick results
Cons
- Some reviewers say teeth areas end up whiter than others
Best for discolouration
www.superdrug.com
Billon Dollar Smile Strips are coated with a minty fresh non-peroxide whitening gel to make home whitening easy, safe and effective. These thin yet sturdy strips promise to leave you with a whiter smile and are great at tackling tough stains. You use them every day for 30 minutes for two weeks.
Customer review: "In the past I have used various teeth whitening products. Then I tried billion dollar teeth whitening strips and WOW. I couldn't believe it. After 2 weeks my teeth looked amazing so much whiter. Some teeth whitening strips hurt and make your teeth extremely sensitive after use, but these don't at all. Such a brilliant product 5*** i won't use any other product from now on."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for sensitive teeth
- Worth the money
Cons
- Some reviews say that results can be a bit patchy and the strips can be difficult to keep stuck in place
Best for sensitive teeth
These Premium Teeth Whitening Strips by Pro Teeth Whitening contain charcoal, which is a highly beneficial ingredient that help to whiten and brighten your teeth. Super easy to use, simply place on your teeth for 30 minutes and brush away any leftover residue. The gentle activated charcoal formula is ideal for those with sensitive teeth and protects against damage to the tooth enamel.
Customer review: "I’ve used a lot of different whitening strips and these are definitely one of the better ones. They are messy as charcoal but they work well."
Pros
- Notice huge differences
- Teeth feel clean afterward
Cons
- Messy because of the charcoal
Best for coffee and wine staining
www.boots.com
Coffee and wine can have detrimental effects on your teeth, especially over a period of time. Start your teeth whitening journey with the Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening System; a combination of whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening strips that are designed by dentists and contain peroxide. The strips help to break down stains accumulated over time due to coffee, red wine and other lifestyle factors.
Customer review: "Only on day 4 and my teeth are already looking white. I drink a lot of coffee which stains my teeth I’ve tried so many different brands and usually have to have a scale and polish at the dentist.. this has lifted all the stains I’m so pleased with the results so far."
Pros
- Easy to use in conjunction with each other
- Lifts stains
Cons
- Some reviews say the strips feel uncomfortable
Best for peroxide-free formula
uk.hismileteeth.com
Traditional whitening strips use a peroxide-based formula which can trigger tooth sensitivity. hismile has designed its products to ensure that there is no gum irritation or no tooth sensitivity and so you can still see fast results after a couple of weeks. The PAP+ Whitening Strips firmly adhere to the tooth's surface, releasing the PAP+ formula, a form of chemical bleaching that oxidises stains without the release of free radicals that usually result in sensitivity.
Our review: "The results were instant, making them ideal for special occasions such as a wedding where smiling for photos would be essential."
Read our full hismile review for our thoughts on the strips, mouthwash, and serum.
Pros
- Comes with a whiteness scale to see the results
- Good for teeth sensitivity
Cons
- Always advise checking with your dentist before using, to ensure it is a suitable product for you
Best teeth whitening strips FAQs
What are teeth whitening strips?
Teeth whitening strips contain peroxide or bleach and work to whiten your teeth at home in the same way bleach works to whiten hair. The strips are made of a thin and elastic fabric that is coated with peroxide and certain brands contain more than others. Some brands have even evolved to be peroxide-free. You simply apply the strips to your teeth so that the peroxide or formula comes into contact with your tooth enamel. Applying them straight to your teeth helps the peroxide remove teeth stains and discoloration. Some strips are incredibly strong and have to be removed after a certain period of time, while others can be left on longer.
Usually, teeth whitening kits come in packs with enough strips to use on both the top and bottom teeth for two weeks. They are typically the easiest and cheapest method for teeth whitening, these days strips are readily available at most beauty stores, including Boots UK, and even most supermarkets.
Are teeth whitening strips safe?
You should always seek advice from your dentist if you’re planning to start using teeth whitening strips, especially if you suffer from sensitivity problems. If you're nervous about using teeth whitening strips, make sure to check user reviews, dentists’ recommendations, and ingredient lists. You should also limit your expectations when it comes to seeing results, as sometimes it takes time to see results and they won't happen overnight.
Dr Ahmed Hussain, leading dental expert from Harrow on the Hill Dentistry has shared his expert advice and concerns about home teeth whitening to help reassure you.
"Professional tooth whitening products contain six percent hydrogen peroxide to give us the whiter teeth we desire, but over-the-counter treatments only have 0.1 percent bleach, which is not effective.
"Peroxide products can burn the gums, make your teeth sensitive to hot and cold, leave them patchy in colour, or even damage the protective enamel permanently if they’re not administered properly.
"Effective teeth whitening can only be prescribed by a dentist, after examining the health of your teeth and gums, and then ensure you receive a safe and effective dose by either whitening your teeth in practice or giving you a special professional bespoke kit to use at home with individualised instructions."
Do teeth whitening strips damage teeth?
According to the NHS, as with any teeth whitening product, there’s a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals in the treatment. You should always aim to keep bleaching gels off your gums as this can cause blistering, sensitivity, and damage to tooth enamel. If you have sensitive teeth and are after a teeth-whitening agent to use at home, teeth-whitening toothpaste is the most natural and gentle way to help brighten your smile.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's rennovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle, three cats and a tortoise called Bobby.
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