Where to Put Teeth Whitening Strips (So They Actually Work)

When people buy teeth whitening strips, they usually get two things in the box:

1. A dream of whiter teeth.
   
   
2. A tiny instruction card nobody really reads.
   
   

And the main confusion is always:

• “Do I put them on all my teeth?”
  
  
• “Do they go on the gums?”
  
  
• “Front only or also back?”
  
  
• “Top only? Bottom too?”
  
  

Let’s clear this once and for all, with real, practical guidance.

Short Answer: Where Do You Put Teeth Whitening Strips?

You put teeth whitening strips on the front (outer) surface of your upper and lower front teeth, aligned with the gum line, touching your teeth only, not your gums.

Think of it like this:

Target area: The part of your teeth that shows when you smile.
Avoid area: Gums and soft tissue.

No, you don’t need to wrap them around every tooth in your mouth like cling film.
You’re targeting the aesthetic zone, the teeth people actually see.

Step-by-Step: How to Place Whitening Strips Correctly

I’ll break this down into very simple steps you can turn into visuals later.

1. Start With Clean, Dry Teeth

• Brush your teeth gently (preferably 30 minutes before, not immediately before, to avoid extra sensitivity).
  
  
• Dry the front of your teeth with a tissue or a clean towel before applying.
  
  

Why dry?

Strips stick better to dry enamel. If your teeth are too wet, the strip can slide or lift, which means uneven whitening.

2. Upper Strip: Place on the Front Surface of Your Top Teeth

Take the longer strip (for most brands) – that’s usually for the upper teeth.

• Hold it in front of a mirror.
  
  
• Line the straight edge of the strip with your gum line, but don’t let it sit on the gums.
  
  
• Press the strip onto the front of your upper teeth (the part facing your lips).
  
  
• Smooth it down with your finger to remove air bubbles.
  
  
• If there’s extra length, fold the remaining strip behind your teeth—but only if it feels comfortable and doesn’t cut into your gums.
  
  

The goal: Full contact with the front surface of the teeth you show when you smile, usually from canine to canine or premolar.

3. Lower Strip: Repeat for the Bottom Teeth

Take the shorter strip (for most brands, that’s for the lower teeth).

• Again, align with the gum line on the lower front teeth.
  
  
• Press gently and smooth it across.
  
  
• Fold any extra behind the teeth if the strip is long enough and it feels okay.
  
  

Most people only need to cover the front 6–8 lower teeth because that’s what shows when you talk or smile.

4. Where Not to Put the Strips

This is as important as where to put them:

• ❌ Not on your gums – this can cause irritation and discomfort.
  
  
• ❌ Not on broken, decayed or heavily chipped teeth without a dentist’s advice.
  
  
• ❌ Not on fillings, crowns, veneers expecting them to magically whiten (they won’t change shade like natural enamel).
  
  
• ❌ Not on the backside of your teeth unless the product specifically says so (most don’t require this).
  
  

Whitening strips are designed for front, visible enamel, not as a full-mouth wrap.

Where to Put Them in Your Daily Routine (Timing Matters Too)

“Where” isn’t just about location on your teeth, it’s also about where in your day you place the habit.

Most people get the best results when they:

• Use strips once a day, consistently.
  
  
• Pick a time where they won’t be eating, drinking, or talking too much, for example:
  
  
  • In the evening after dinner
    
    
  • Or at night before bed
    
    

For PureSmile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Strips, for example, the sweet spot is:

• Apply once a day
  
  
• Leave on for the recommended time
  
  
• Avoid eating/drinking during that period
  
  

You can adapt this section to your exact usage instructions.

How Your Placement Affects Your Results (Founder’s Perspective)

From my experience (and from what UAE dentists have shared):

• People who place strips too low or too high (partly on gums) often complain of:
  
  

  • Mild burning
    
    
  • Redness along the gum line
    
    
  • Wanting to remove the strip early
    
    

• People who place strips only on the middle 4 teeth and ignore the sides often end up with:
  
  

  • Whiter front teeth
    
    
  • Slightly darker canines → uneven smile
    
    

So:

✔️ Align with the gum line, but don’t cover it.
✔️ Cover all visible teeth when you smile – not just the two in the center.

That’s where good whitening turns into good-looking whitening.

Common Placement Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Here’s what I’ve seen again and again:

1. “I accidentally put them on my gums.”

If the strip touches your gums a little, it’s not the end of the world. But if it sits on your gums:

• You might feel irritation or a burning sensation.
  
  
• Over time, this area can become sensitive.
  
  

Fix:
 Gently peel back the strip and re-position it slightly lower (for upper teeth) or higher (for lower teeth), so it only touches enamel.

2. “They keep sliding or lifting at the edges.”

This usually means:

• Teeth weren’t dry enough when you applied
  
  
• You’re talking or moving your lips a lot
  
  

Fix:

• Dry your teeth properly next time before application.
  
  
• After placing the strip, press firmly with a finger or nail and smooth it along each tooth, especially at the corners.
  
  
• Try to use strips at a time when you’re not doing a full Ted Talk.
  
  

3. “Only my front two teeth are white now.”

That’s a placement & coverage issue.

If you only placed the strip over the very center, the edges of your smile stay darker.

Fix:

• When applying, make sure the strip covers all the teeth you show when you smile, not just the middle.
  
  
• If your strip is wide enough, gently stretch and smooth it sideways.
  
  

Founder’s Insight: Why Placement Matters More With Safe Formulas

With harsh whitening systems, you can sometimes slap them on carelessly and still see dramatic (but risky) results.

With safer, enamel-friendly formulas like PAP+ (what we use in PureSmile), you’re playing a long, smart game:

• No burning.
  
  
• No crazy sensitivity.
  
  
• Gradual, comfortable whitening.
  
  

But for that to work, contact needs to be consistent:

• Full contact with the enamel
  
  
• Even distribution across the visible teeth
  
  
• Proper time-on-teeth, as recommended
  
  

So where you put the strips is what turns a safe formula into visible, even results.

Quick Visual Script You Can Turn Into a Graphic

You can literally make this into a 3-step graphic in your blog:

1. Target Zone:
   Front surface of upper & lower teeth.
   ➝ “The part of your teeth that shows when you smile.”
   
   
2. Placement Line:
   Strips aligned with the gum line.
   ➝ “Teeth only, not gums.”
   
   
3. Coverage Range:
   Front 6–8 teeth on top and bottom.
   ➝ “Smile zone, not full mouth wrap.”
   
   

FAQs – On “Where” Exactly to Put Whitening Strips

1. Do I put strips on both top and bottom teeth?

Yes, if your kit includes both. Most whitening systems come with:

• 1 strip for the upper teeth
  
• 1 strip for the lower teeth
  
  

Use both in each session, unless your instructions say differently.

2. Should I put them on the inside (tongue side) of my teeth?

No. You don’t need to whiten the back surface of your teeth. It doesn’t affect how your smile looks. Focus on the front, outward-facing side of your teeth.

3. How close to the gums should I place them?

As close as you can without touching the gums.
Think: borderline, not overlapping.

4. Can I cut the strips and only use them on a few teeth?

You can, but:

• You risk uneven whitening if you only do a few teeth long-term.
  
  
• It makes more sense if you’re targeting one tooth that’s darker after a full course, but for most people, applying to all visible teeth is best.
  
  

5. Where should I store the strips between uses?

Not on your teeth. 😄

• Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and sunlight.
  
  
• Don’t leave them in a hot car or near a window.
  
  
• Just a closed drawer, cabinet, or bathroom shelf (not directly under hot steam) is fine.
  
  

Final Word: Put Them Where the Smile Lives

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this line:

Put whitening strips on the teeth people see when you smile , close to the gum line, but never on the gums.

That’s the difference between:

• “I tried whitening strips once, didn’t really work, felt weird.”
  
  
• And:
  
  
• “I used them correctly, got even results, and my enamel still loves me.”
  
  

Now you know exactly where to put whitening strips for the best results. The next step? Choosing strips that are actually worth placing correctly.

At PureSmile, we've obsessed over every detail,  from the strip shape that naturally fits your smile zone to the PAP+ formula that won't punish you for minor placement mistakes.

Explore PureSmile PAP+ Whitening Strips 

Halal-certified. Zero sensitivity reported. Placement guide included.