Teeth whitening strips and kits: are they safe?

Dental & oral care ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Teeth whitening strips and kits sold for home use in Australia are limited to lower peroxide strengths, but that doesn’t make them risk-free. Side effects can include tooth sensitivity and irritation or burns to the gums, lips and tongue. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) says it’s best to have whitening done under a dentist’s supervision, and healthdirect says whitening isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have sensitive teeth, gum disease, cracks or holes in your teeth, or other untreated dental problems.

If you’d like a brighter smile for Christmas parties and holiday photos, the safest plan is to check that whitening suits you, choose a product with a clearly labelled strength and start early. Here’s what to know before you buy.

What are the rules on teeth whitening products in Australia?

There are limits on how strong whitening products can be when they’re sold to consumers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) advises that consumers “should not use kits that contain more than 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide and/or more than 18 per cent carbamide peroxide”. It adds: “If the concentration of the bleaching agents is not clearly labelled, consumers are advised not to use the product.”

These limits are reflected in the Poisons Standard. The ADA’s policy on teeth whitening, most recently amended in April 2026, explains that the Poisons Standard “recognises hydrogen peroxide 3-6% and carbamide peroxide 9-18% as Schedule 5 substances”, so products up to those strengths can be sold directly to consumers if they’re labelled with the required safety warnings. Stronger products fall under Schedule 10: the ADA explains that whitening products above 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide may only be sold, supplied and used by registered dental practitioners. The Dental Board of Australia also says that “only registered dental practitioners can use or supply high-concentration teeth whitening products”.

The ADA notes that 18% carbamide peroxide is roughly equivalent to 6% hydrogen peroxide. It also lists a third whitening ingredient, phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), which some products use instead.

Be careful buying online. The Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA) advises consumers to avoid buying whitening products online “as they may exceed these safe limits”, and the ACCC has previously negotiated recalls of kits that went over them.

What are the side effects of whitening strips and kits?

• Sensitive teeth. The ADA says whitening “can cause teeth to become sensitive to cold temperatures”, and that this can sometimes be very severe, to the point where breathing air can be painful. healthdirect notes that teeth may be sensitive to cold straight after treatment.
• Irritated or burnt gums, lips and tongue. If whitening gel touches the soft tissues of your mouth it can cause chemical burns, and the ADA says these burns “will often turn into ulcers before they heal”. Our guide to mouth ulcer treatment covers how to ease a sore mouth.
• Bigger risks with stronger products. The ACCC has linked high peroxide concentrations to injuries including chemical burns to the gums and mouth, and blistering.

To lower your risk, follow the directions exactly, keep the gel off your gums and stop if your teeth or gums become painful.

Who should see a dentist before whitening?

healthdirect says teeth whitening is not recommended if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have sensitive teeth
• have gum disease
• have cracks or holes in your teeth
• have untreated dental problems

On pregnancy, the ADA explains that there isn’t any evidence that whitening is dangerous for pregnant women, “but there also isn’t any evidence that it is safe”. It’s another reason to wait.

It’s also worth checking with your dentist first if:

• You have crowns, veneers or white fillings. The ADA says whitening “will not change the colour of porcelain crowns, veneers or composite resin (white) fillings”. If your natural teeth get lighter, these may no longer match, and your dentist might need to replace them.
• You’re under 18. The ADOHTA says whitening is generally “not recommended in children under the age of 16”, so teenagers should get a dentist’s advice before trying any product.

The ADA’s advice is to talk to your dentist to see if whitening is suitable for you. Your dentist can also explain how to prevent or treat sensitivity before you start.

Do whitening toothpastes and LED kits work?

Whitening toothpastes work on the surface. The ADA says they help reduce stains on the outside surfaces of your teeth but “do not tend to make a large difference to the colour of the teeth”, and they can make teeth sensitive too. healthdirect suggests using a soft toothbrush with your toothpaste to avoid damaging your tooth enamel. For more on brushing technique, see our guide to electric vs manual toothbrushes.

LED and blue-light kits pair a whitening gel with a light. In a dental clinic, a light is often placed over your teeth during in-chair whitening (healthdirect), and the ADOHTA notes that professionals may use heat, laser or a blue light to speed up the process, but that “there are differing opinions on a light’s benefits”. Whatever the gadget, the safety question stays the same: what’s in the gel, and how strong is it? If the label doesn’t clearly say, the ACCC’s advice is not to use it.

What results can you expect in time for Christmas?

• Give it time. healthdirect says take-home whitening takes longer to achieve results than in-chair treatment, so if you’re aiming for the Christmas party season, start well ahead rather than the week before.
• Restorations stay the same. Crowns, veneers and white fillings won’t change colour (ADA).
• Toothpaste won’t do the heavy lifting. Whitening toothpastes reduce surface stains but don’t tend to change your tooth colour much (ADA).
• Leave room to stop. If your teeth become sensitive, you’ll want time to pause before the big night.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding? Whitening isn’t recommended, so it can wait until later.

How can our team help?

Ask one of our pharmacists to check the active ingredient and its strength before you use a whitening product, especially one you’ve bought online. Our beauty team can also help you find your way around our dental and personal care range. You can browse the teeth whitening range on priceline.com.au or ask our team in store. We’re open 7 days at Pacific Fair, and late on Thursdays if you’re shopping after work.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Your dentist is the right person for most whitening questions, but here’s a quick guide:

• See your dentist before whitening if any of the healthdirect points above apply, or you have crowns, veneers or white fillings.
• Stop and see your dentist if your teeth become very sensitive or painful.
• Stop and get advice if gel has burned or irritated your gums, lips or tongue. Our pharmacists can suggest something to ease a sore mouth while it heals.
• Ask a pharmacist if a product’s ingredients or strength aren’t clear, and don’t use it until you know.
• See a dentist or GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if a mouth sore isn’t healing.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.