These are the best teeth whitening strips for a dazzling smile without the hassle

If you are in pursuit of whiter teeth and need an extra boost alongside a comprehensive oral health regime, teeth whitening strips can come in handy as a cost effective, at-home treatment. Think of it in the same was as your skin. If you’re applying a hardworking serum on top of a dirty face, it won’t be as effective. Likewise, if you keep your teeth squeaky clean, top-up tooth whiteners can make a big difference.

It’s worth the investment. It’s been shown that being self-conscious about your teeth can have a negative impact on your mental health, because it inhibits the impulse to smile, meaning you end up smiling less. Smiling has been shown to kickstart dopamine and serotonin production in the brain, both of which help promote feelings of overall happiness and reduced stress. The connection between our teeth and our mood goes the other way, too. If we’re stressed, we’re more likely to grind our teeth, causing the enamel to wear down and break, muscle tightness and even migraines.

The first step to a healthy smile is getting the fundamentals of your oral health routine in order. Brush your teeth twice a day (minimum – ideally you should brush after every meal), floss at the end of the day (and after heavy meals), drink through a straw if you’re having coffee, tea, wine and anything that might stain teeth, use mouthwash daily and visit the dentist once a year, and the oral hygienist every six months. Unless you’re brushing, flossing and mouth-washing regularly, chances are your teeth will be showing signs of oral ill health, including a build up of plaque, stains, receding gums and bad breath.

However, even if you’re a star player in terms of your oral health routine, some people’s teeth are naturally less white than others. It’s all to do with how thick the layer of enamel on your teeth is. Underneath the enamel is a layer of dentin, which is yellow, so if your enamel is thin, the yellow can show through. As well as lifestyle habits like teeth grinding, enamel thickness can be determined by genetics, leaving little to be done to resolve the issue.

What are teeth whitening strips?

Teeth whitening strips are thin sheets of plastic that are coated in teeth whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, as well as an adhesive to make them stick to your teeth. Usually, they come in kits with enough strips to use on both the top and bottom teeth for two weeks.

Do teeth whitening strips work?

Yes, although it depends on the concentration of the whitening ingredients. Professional whitening kits administered by dentists will have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, so will have a more noticeable effect after a shorter period of time.

According to top dentist, Dr Richard Marques at Wimpole Street Dental, you’ll want to check the ingredients to make sure you’re using the most effective strips. Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the safest and most effective chemicals to whiten teeth when formulated properly. “Some methods do use other agents such as sodium perborate but these are generally considered less effective,” he says.

It’s important to carry on with your strips even if you don’t notice any improvement after a couple of days – they are designed to be used as a complete course and you should only assess the difference at the end. Try taking a photo of your teeth before starting the strips to make comparison easier.

Can whitening strips ruin your teeth?

While the majority of whitening strips are safe, using them too often can damage the enamel on your teeth as well as the dentin underneath.

The ingredients used can also cause gum irritation and teeth sensitivity, which should subside as soon as you stop using the strips.

It’s crucial that you do your research first and pick them up from a reputable source. Many internet sites are not regulated, therefore you won’t really know what you’re getting. Remember, you’re effectively putting bleach in your mouth, so make sure you’re choosing strips that meet EU regulations and won’t cause more problems (like tooth damage and gum irritation) than they solve.

What about whitening toothpaste?

Whitening toothpaste works mainly by removing stains on the teeth, rather than changing the colour of the enamel and dentin. If you have stains then it’s well worth trying a whitening toothpaste before turning to strips as you could achieve the look you’re aiming for just by brushing your teeth.

Can I get Crest White Strips in the UK?

Crest Strips are the most popular teeth whitening strips in the USA and while there are some websites than claim to stock Crest White Strips in the UK, the level of hydrogen peroxide used in Crest Strips is above the UK legal limit. This means any UK stockist is either breaking the law by supplying a controlled substance, or selling a knock-off.

See below for a selection of the best teeth whitening strips that pass UK regulations…