Yes, whitening strips work on surface stains for most people with healthy, natural teeth. A thin, flexible strip holds whitening gel against the front of your teeth, where it lifts staining from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. How much whiter you get depends on your starting shade, the type of staining and finishing the full course.
Strips are not the same as whitening at the dentist, and they will not suit everyone. healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association both say the safest, most effective whitening is given or supervised by a dental professional. This guide explains what strips can and cannot do, so you can decide.
How do teeth whitening strips work?
Each strip is coated on one side with whitening gel. You press it onto clean, dry teeth and fold the edge behind them, so the gel stays in close contact with the tooth surface for the treatment time. The gel helps break down stain build-up across the surface, so teeth look gradually brighter as the course goes on.
The strip itself does two jobs: it keeps the gel where it is needed, and it keeps it off your gums as far as possible. That is why fit matters. Strips that sit flat and stay put give a more even result than strips that slip.
In SmilePro strips sold in Australia, the whitening ingredient is hydrogen peroxide (6%), with potassium nitrate in the formula. The full ingredient list is on the teeth whitening strips page.
How long do whitening strips take to work?
Many people notice a visible difference after the first few applications. SmilePro strips whiten teeth by up to 5 shades. The course is one 30-minute treatment a day for 7 days; after that, the other 7 treatments in the pack are top-ups, one every 2 weeks (or once a week if you drink a lot of coffee, tea or red wine), to help stop stains setting in again. At once every 2 weeks that is about three months of top-ups from one pack. Stopping the course halfway usually means a smaller change.
Check your shade in daylight before your first strip and again at the end, so you can see the difference for yourself. A photo taken in the same spot and light each time works well.
What results can you expect?
Strips work best on surface staining from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. healthdirect explains that teeth can also be discoloured on the inside, after an injury, a root canal treatment or certain antibiotics taken as a young child, and that a whitening gel applied to the outside of the teeth will not change that. Fillings, crowns and veneers will not go whiter than their original colour, although surface stains that have built up on them can be lifted.
Results also depend on where you start. Teeth can look yellower with age as the enamel wears and the darker layer underneath shows through, and long-standing staining takes longer to lift than recent staining. If you have visible dental work at the front of your mouth, ask your dentist before whitening, because natural teeth can lighten while crowns and veneers stay the same shade. More in Does teeth whitening work on crowns and veneers?
Who should not use whitening strips?
SmilePro strips are not for anyone under 18, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. healthdirect likewise says whitening is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have sensitive teeth, gum disease, cracks or holes in your teeth, or other untreated dental problems. Do not use them if you have gum disease, an oral infection or recent dental surgery, or amalgam fillings without consulting a dentist first. If you have sensitive teeth or unhealthy gums, see a dentist first. If you wear braces, wait until they are off, as the result can be uneven.
Do not use strips for more than 14 consecutive days without a dentist's supervision, stop and see a dentist if your gums or mouth become irritated (redness, swelling or soreness), and do not swallow the gel. Avoid direct contact of the whitening gel with your gums, and avoid contact with your eyes.
How to get the best results from whitening strips
Brush with water and pat your teeth dry, press the gel side on firmly and fold the edge behind your teeth, then leave the strips on for the full 30 minutes, and no longer. Peel them off and wipe or rinse away any leftover gel. After each treatment, wait 1 hour before eating or drinking anything except water. Follow the instructions for the whole course.
A few habits help the result last:
- Cut back on coffee, tea, red wine and smoking during and after the course; healthdirect lists them among the things that stain the outside of your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with water after food or drink that can stain your teeth, as healthdirect suggests.
- Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush. A whitening toothpaste helps lift everyday surface stains between treatments.
- Keep up regular dental check-ups and cleans.
How long do whitening strip results last?
Whitening is not permanent. How long your result lasts depends on how quickly new stains build up, which comes down mostly to what you eat and drink, whether you smoke, and your daily oral care. The 7 top-ups in every SmilePro pack, one every 2 weeks after the course, help stop stains setting in again. More in How long does teeth whitening last?
Strips or an LED whitening kit?
Choose strips for simplicity and travel, and an LED kit for a bigger change in shorter sessions. Both are used once a day for a 7-day course. SmilePro strips take 30 minutes, need no light and whiten up to 5 shades. The SmilePro Advanced Kit takes 10 minutes a day with a blue and red LED light and whitens up to 8 shades in 7 days.
| SmilePro Whitening Strips | SmilePro Advanced Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Time per treatment | 30 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Course | One treatment a day for 7 days, plus 7 top-ups in the pack (one every 2 weeks) | One treatment a day for 7 days |
| Light | None | Blue and red LED; the gel is always used with the light |
| Result | Up to 5 shades whiter | Up to 8 shades in 7 days |
| Money-back guarantee | No | 30 days, conditions apply |
| Price | See the Strips price | See the Kit price |
| Best for | Travel and top-ups | Your first course |
Many people use both: the kit for the first course, then strips or refill pens to keep their shade. If you move between the kit and strips, wait 2 weeks between finishing a course with one and starting a course with the other. The full comparison is in Whitening strips vs LED kit.
Are whitening strips safe?
Whitening strips are generally safe for adults with healthy teeth and gums when used exactly as directed, but healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association both advise that whitening is safest with a dental professional's advice or supervision. The most common side effects are sensitivity to cold and gum irritation straight after treatment; healthdirect says to see your dental professional if they last more than 1 or 2 days. SmilePro strips are enamel safe and formulated to help prevent sensitivity in healthy teeth.
If your teeth are already sensitive, speak to a dentist before you start. More detail in Is teeth whitening safe? and Teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.
Do dentists recommend whitening strips?
healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association recommend whitening that is done or supervised by a dental professional, who can check first that your teeth and gums are suitable. SmilePro whitening strips were developed with dental professionals and are enamel safe when used as directed. If your teeth are sensitive or your gums are unhealthy, check with your dentist before you start.
Shop SmilePro teeth whitening strips, 14 treatments (a 7-day course plus 7 top-ups), or the LED teeth whitening kit, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee (conditions apply).
Read next: Whitening strips vs LED kit, Is teeth whitening safe? and Teeth whitening before and after.
Sources
This guide is general information, not dental advice. If you have any concerns about your teeth or gums, speak to a dentist.
- healthdirect Australia, Teeth whitening, last reviewed February 2025.
- Australian Dental Association, Teeth whitening (teeth.org.au), read 7 October 2026.
- SmilePro, Terms and Conditions, section 4, "Product Use and Cautions" (who should not use SmilePro products).
- SmilePro product information: Teeth Whitening Strips and Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit.
Last updated: 7 October 2026.
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