All toothpastes help remove surface stains because they have mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents professional teeth whitening that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains far in the tooth.
Whitening strips are especial thin, virtually invisible strips that are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. The strips are applied twice once daily for 30 minutes for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about 4 months. The retail bottom dollar for this confection ranges from $10 to $55 for a 14-day treatment.