It goes without saying that staining your teeth is easier than it should be. Between multiple cups of coffee and tea, glasses of red wine, and deep pigmented foods (like berries, beets, and sauces), it can feel like it’s nearly impossible to doge. Sure, you can go to your dentist for professional whitening or other treatments, but if we’re being honest, it’s not always the most affordable option. That’s where whitening strips come in.

If you’re skeptical, you might be wondering if dentists actually approve of whitening strips. Short answer: yes (for the most part). “Everyone’s teeth are different and some people are better candidates for teeth whitening than others,” says New York-based dentist Lauren Becker. “Especially if you have porous or sensitive teeth, whitening strips can cause ‘zingers’ or sharp, quick jolts of tooth pain from usage, but there are also more natural products that have been developed over the past few years that offer better options for sensitive teeth.”