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Teeth-whiteningstrips work bytargeting extrinsic discolorationon the outside of your teeth due to food and beverage consumption.
Courtesy of brands / Gabrielle Langdon
Ive been using these drugstore strips once a year since high school whenever I want a brighter smile.
Sometimes Ill even split the packs to get two (or even four!)
treatment cycles out of them.
Glamourcommerce editorMalia Griggshas been using theseAmazon bestellersfor close to a decade now.
However, they can cause tooth sensitivity due to extra ingredients.
As with most whitening strips, Crest3D Whitestrips cost a pretty penny or, well, $45.
These hydrogen peroxide strips require just two 1-hour treatments to give you a radiant smile.
However, as with the original Crest3D Whitestrips, I found the tacky residue left behind tasted awful.
They also have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than most over-the-counter options.
Originally found it at my dentists office.
This is the same stuff for slightly cheaper, wrote one reviewer.
My friendDanainfluenced me to buy the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips last year.
But best of all is that they never hurt my gums or teeth like other brands I tried.
Im actually so glad to be writing this right now because it reminded me to order a refill.
If you have sensitive teeth in need of some whitening, your search stops now.
(And Dana.)
Keep in mind that dentists generally recommend using the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide for long-lasting effects.
It also contains chamomile and lavender for a better taste than traditional whitening products.
At $25, Moon also happens to be the most affordable whitening treatment on our list.
(Me, its me.)
Most importantly, though, Ive seen a little improvement after just one use.
Of course, its easy to brush off.
Some reviewers also noted they didnt appreciate the flavor these strips left behind.
But whitening treatments in general arent exactly known for their 10/10 flavor.
How do teeth-whitening strips work?
As we age, these stains accumulate, making teeth appear more yellow.
At-home whitening strips differ from professional whitening treatments in a few key ways, according to Dr. Kahng.
Teeth-whitening strips and in-office treatments use the same main ingredient, hydrogen peroxide.
Professional whitening treatments also protect the gums by using retractors and a material designed to prevent chemical burns.
Avoid products that dont have this ingredient, as they wont be effective.
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide matters too; higher concentrations are usually more efficient.
She recommends choosing a product that contains 6% to 10% hydrogen peroxide.
These stabilizers are often acidic, says Dr. Kahng.
If sensitivity occurs, skip a day and resume the next day.
As long as you stay within the recommended limits, frequency is not usually an issue.
