Whitening strips hit the market over two decades ago, but for a long time, there was just one reputable manufacturer: Crest. In recent years, competitors have come along, each one looking to set themselves apart and challenge the champ.
Enter BURST Whitening Strips. They’re cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, and claim to deliver results in just 15 minutes a day. But how well do they keep these promises? We investigated. We researched. And we’ve assembled everything you need to know about them right here.
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BURST Whitening Strips at a Glance
In their own words, BURST’s goal is to “transform oral care as we know it.” More specifically, they’re aiming to make simple but high-quality dental care and cosmetic dental products available to the masses. Their product line is carefully tailored to customers’ most practical needs, without any fluff.
Central to their business model are BURST Ambassadors — licensed dental professionals located across the United States. Each ambassador provides feedback on their patients’ needs, and BURST uses it to develop product proposals. If the ambassadors report a clear and overarching demand for a particular product, they move it into production.
This is a unique model among dental product manufacturers, but it doesn’t drive up prices. In fact, BURST is more laser-focused on affordability than most other whitening strip producers. The BURST website has a subscription feature, which ensures you never run out of the products you need and discounts the price even further!
On top of this, they stay environmentally conscious every step of the way. They use recyclable packaging and ethical manufacturing, plus create durable products. They also opt for cruelty-free research and development and keep their products gluten-free and vegan.
Pros & Cons of BURST Whitening Strips
All of BURST’s products are high-quality and effective, especially their whitening strips. But no whitening strip is perfect. Here are the biggest pros and cons of choosing BURST Whitening Strips for your smile.
Pros of BURST Whitening Strips:
- You only need to wear them for 15 minutes per day.
- The design of the strips is tailored to the needs of actual dental patients just like you.
- BURST Whitening Strips are among the most affordable strips on the market.
- They combine traditional whitening agents with more natural ones for a well-rounded approach to brightening your smile.
Cons of BURST Whitening Strips:
- Some customers complain that they don’t stick to the teeth very well.
- If the gel gets on your gums, it will burn them.
Should You Get BURST Whitening Strips?
If you want whitening strips that fit a tight budget, but you don’t want to sacrifice effectiveness and high-quality, natural ingredients, BURST could be a perfect option.
Effectiveness
Even if a whitening product measures well in every other category, if it doesn’t actually whiten your teeth, it’s a waste of money. Fortunately, BURST whitening strips work quite well.
A full course of treatment takes just seven days. And unlike other whitening strips, you don’t have to wear them for 30-60 minutes each day. Instead, you only wear them for 15 minutes at a time.
BURST Whitening Strips can achieve results in that short time frame thanks to their formula. They utilize a 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide, a pretty standard ingredient for whitening teeth, and one that’s been proven effective. But they enhance it with coconut oil. Over the last few years, research has shown that oil pulling can promote oral health, and the same principles apply here — you just don’t need to swish viscous oil around in your mouth.
Most customers say that their teeth are significantly whiter after just seven days, and many report deeper and more uniform results than they’ve seen with other strips. For those who didn’t see results, it’s hard to say what went wrong. These customers may have had cosmetic dental work, which no whitening product can lighten.
To extend the lifespan of your results, BURST suggests using some of their other products, like their toothpaste. That said, the company says it’s safe to complete a seven-day course of treatment up to four times a year.
Affordability
Get a whitening treatment from your dentist and you’ll see amazing results right away. Yet most adults still opt for at-home whitening products. Why? The price. And BURST makes some of the most affordable whitening strips available.
In-office whitening starts at around $300 and can hit four figures depending on the treatment you select and the cost of living in your area. So, while your at-home whitening might fall a few shades short of professional results, the trade-off is almost always worth it.
BURST Whitening Strips’ price doesn’t just blow in-office treatments out of the water — it’s also more affordable than many other at-home whitening products. On the BURST website, you’ll pay just $29.99 for ten days worth of strips. If you use their subscription feature, you get one set of whitening strips delivered every 12 weeks for a discounted price.
There are no fancy extras with BURST Whitening Strips. Even the packaging is minimal due to their focus on sustainability. However, you get everything you need at one of the lowest price points of any whitening strip we’ve found.
Quality of Ingredients
Knowing that BURST Whitening Strips can effectively whiten your smile is important, but understanding how they do it is just as crucial.
These strips use two different whitening agents — whereas most others have just one. The hydrogen peroxide is a 6% concentration, which is pretty similar to most other whitening strips on the market. It is an enamel-safe formula, opening the pores of the teeth to reach the stains within. Then, it oxidizes the tooth’s organic matrix and breaks apart the stain’s molecules.
Then there is the coconut oil. While the ADA says there isn’t enough evidence to confirm its efficacy in teeth whitening, some research has shown that it has oral health benefits, like reducing plaque-related gingivitis.
In addition to hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil, BURST Whitening Strips also include the following ingredients:
- PVP
- Glycerin
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose
- Water
- Alcohol
- Xylitol
- Stevioside
- Menthol
- Aloe vera
These ingredients are responsible for everything from how the strips adhere to the teeth to the way the gel tastes. All of them are vegan and gluten-free, making these strips accessible even for people with dietary restrictions.
Convenience
Whitening your teeth will boost your confidence — but it can also complicate your schedule. On the whole, strips are some of the most convenient whitening products you can buy. You don’t have to measure out gel, wear bulky trays, or spend 30-60 minutes unable to speak. But some whitening strips are more convenient than others.
BURST Whitening Strips are the most convenient out of all the strips we researched. They don’t require you to use a light or add special serum to your gums. Plus, you only need to wear them for 15 minutes, compared to the 30–60 minutes other strips require. Some customers say that they even wear them while they shower.
Applying the strips is pretty simple too. You start by going through your normal oral hygiene routine: brush your teeth (with fluoride-free toothpaste to help the strips stick to your teeth) and floss. Then, dry them using a washcloth or just by sucking in air between your teeth and open a packet of whitening strips.
You’ll find a larger strip for the top teeth and a smaller one for the bottom. Using dry hands, peel the backing off the upper strip, then place the gel side against your teeth, making sure it does not overlap the gums. Apply pressure to the strip, folding it over the edges of the teeth and ensuring it sticks correctly. Repeat with the lower strip.
Keep the strips on for 15 minutes. You can talk, complete chores, and do pretty much anything you’d like besides eat, drink, or sleep. Then, when the time is up, pull off the strips and toss them in the trash. For best results, wait about 20-30 minutes after removing the strips before eating or drinking.
And that’s it! While it seems like a lot of steps, they are all fast and easy, making BURST Whitening Strips incredibly convenient to use.
Comfort
Whitening your teeth can do amazing things for your confidence. However, the process itself can be uncomfortable. No matter which system you choose, you will have a foreign object in your mouth and whitening gel, which can both feel a little funny.
Still, we found that BURST Whitening Strips were a little more uncomfortable for customers than most. The company says they use a no-slip formula that holds the strips firmly in place for the full treatment duration. However, customers stated that they really struggled to keep them in place. They tend to slip and slide around on the teeth and the part that folds over the back of the teeth often pops up. As a result, sometimes the gel gets on the gums and irritates them.
Some people use retainers to hold them on, while others have found success by pressing down longer. And for these people, the BURST Whitening Strips experience is pretty pleasant. The coconut oil may help reduce tooth sensitivity, so people who find other strips painful typically can use BURST without issue. The coconut oil also helps to improve the gel’s flavor, which is usually one of the worst aspects of using a whitening product.
While the improved flavor and limited issues with sensitivity are great, we can’t help but feel that the issues with the strips staying in place outweigh these benefits.
What Are BURST Customers Saying?
The majority of BURST Whitening Strips customers love the product and the results it delivers. We found numerous customers who were shocked at how well the strips whitened their teeth, even after a single use. Despite using more natural ingredients than most, BURST does not sacrifice results.
Another thing that customers love about BURST Whitening Strips is the taste. Many whitening strips have a chemical taste, but BURST tastes pleasant and has a mild aftertaste. Customers with a strong gag reflex found that BURST strips were some of the only ones they could comfortably wear.
Not every review is a positive one, though, and the top complaints are all related to how the strips can fail to stick. Many people found that they slide around on the teeth and don’t stay folded over the edges. Since this is part of how the strips work, it’s certainly a notable problem.
Final Thoughts
BURST Whitening Strips are effective, taste great, incorporate natural ingredients, and work for people who are vegan and sensitive to gluten. If you purchase them, we think you’ll be happy with the results. Just keep in mind that getting them to stay in place can be a little tricky.
Not quite sold on BURST? Take a look at our review of the 6 best teeth whitening strips to compare your other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BURST Whitening Strips improve the color of cosmetic or restorative dentistry?
No. The company states that you should never apply their strips to anything but your natural teeth because the formula can potentially damage restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
How do BURST whitening strips work?
The strips have a mixture of whitening agents, flavor, and adhesive on the side that goes against the teeth. The whitening agents — hydrogen peroxide and coconut oil — open up pores, break up stains, and remove plaque from the teeth. The flavor makes the experience more pleasant and the adhesive holds the strips in place.
Should I whiten before or after my regular dental cleaning?
After is better, if possible. This is because your cleaning will eliminate plaque and tartar, which might stop your strips from evenly whitening your teeth.
Do whitening strips damage enamel?
They shouldn’t, but if you use them too often or for too long, they can harm your teeth.
What are the different types of teeth stains?
External, internal, and age-related stains. External stains are on the surface of the teeth while internal stains are within the enamel. Age-related stains usually aren’t actually stains, but rather the naturally yellow dentin showing through.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have braces?
Technically, you can, but it’s best to wait. While whitening strips, in theory, won’t damage your braces (though the adhesive might cause problems), they can’t whiten underneath your brackets. So when you get your braces removed, you’ll have stains in the shape of the brackets on your teeth.
If I end up with white spots on my teeth after using BURST strips, does this mean I damaged my enamel?
No, white spots are simply the product of the teeth becoming dehydrated, which is pretty normal with hydrogen peroxide treatment. After you finish whitening your teeth, they will rehydrate and the color will even out.
My mouth is foaming while wearing my whitening strips. Is this normal?
It doesn’t always happen, but it’s fairly common. This is due to a reaction between your saliva and the peroxide, and it’s nothing to worry about.
Which strategies should I use after BURST Whitening Strips to keep my smile bright?
The following are good steps to take to preserve your results:
- Use straws to drink staining beverages so they don’t touch the fronts of the teeth.
- Cut back on teeth-staining foods, like berries.
- Rinse with water after every meal.
- Stay hydrated and make plain water your primary beverage.
- Brush twice a day and floss once a day.
- Use whitening toothpaste.
- Don’t smoke.
What time of day is best for teeth whitening?
For most people, before bed is best. After whitening, the pores of the teeth remain open, and drinking and eating can stain them. If you whiten before bed and don’t eat or drink anything besides water until morning, you’ll see the best possible results.
