For best results with any product that promotes white teeth, be sure to follow a routine of good oral hygiene, including twice-daily toothbrushing and daily flossing. Make sure to read the instructions on your products for white teeth—some suggest that you don't brush your teeth immediately before applying the product.
Teeth Are Not Clean
The chemicals break down the stain molecules that cause teeth to darken. Plaque buildup can block these whitening chemicals from reaching the stained teeth. Schedule a dental cleaning appointment first before using teeth whitening strips. This can prepare your teeth well for the whitening process.
Brushing too soon could potentially damage this delicate layer and lead to tooth sensitivity or even enamel erosion over time. To strike a balance between these perspectives, dentists often recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after using whitening strips.
Too much plaque and tartar
Plaque is a sticky substance created by the bacteria in your mouth. Brushing and flossing removes plaque from your teeth. If you don't brush your teeth before applying the whitening strips, the sticky plaque may block the stain-fighting chemicals from reaching your teeth.
Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel.
You might be tempted to leave whitening strips on your teeth for a little longer, but this will increase the risk and severity of side effects like sensitivity and gum irritation. In some cases, overuse of whitening strips has even led to chemical burns on the gums.
Should You Use Whitening Strips In The Morning Or Night? Whether you choose to use whitening strips in the morning or at night depends on your personal preference and lifestyle. There is no strict rule regarding the time of day you should use them.
Instead of immediately brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after removing the strips. This helps remove any residual gel left on your teeth while also allowing time for your saliva to neutralize and remineralize your tooth enamel.
Do not touch your gums with the whitening strips. The whitening agent in whitening strips can be harmful to your gums. Particularly, this agent can damage the soft tissue in your gums, which can lead to a wide array of oral health issues down the road. Apply whitening strips evenly.
The best and fastest way to whiten teeth is through professional teeth whitening treatments at your dentist's office. These treatments offer quick results, whitening teeth from the inside out in just 1-3 sessions of 30-60 minutes each.
Preparation: Brush your teeth with a wet toothbrush (without toothpaste or with a non-fluoridated one) before applying the strips. This helps open the pores in your teeth, making them more receptive to the whitening agent. Application: Ensure your teeth are clean and dry.
Avoid touching the Whitestrips excessively with your tongue; this may cause the strips to loosen. If you still are having trouble getting a strip to stick, try gently tucking it into the spaces between your teeth with your fingernail, then folding it behind the teeth.
Factors Affecting the Longevity of Whitening
Several factors determine how long your teeth stay white, including the type of treatment, your lifestyle, and your oral care routine. Foods and drinks like coffee, wine, and berries can cause staining, while smoking can lead to yellowing of the teeth.
Pause Before Brushing: It's typically advised to wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth following the use of strips. This timeframe allows the enamel to remineralize and restore its strength.
How To Apply At Home Teeth Whitening. The strips are applied to upper and lower teeth, once a day, for up to 30 minutes. Depending on the specific Crest 3D White Whitestrips product chosen, strips should be applied daily for anywhere from 10 to 20 consecutive days.
With time, these tannins cling to your teeth's enamel and create yellowish stains. Similar to this, frequent use of tobacco products or cigarette smoking might cause your teeth to remain yellow even after whitening procedures. A yellow coating on your tongue could also be noticed.
Extensive clinical and consumer testing was done to establish the safety and efficacy of Crest 3D White Whitestrips. However, based on the results of that work we do not recommend using more than 2 upper strips and 2 lower strips in a day.
It is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes after using whitening strips before consuming any kind of beverage, including water. This is because drinking water after whitening can dilute the bleaching agent and reduce its effectiveness.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.
Risk of Gum Irritation: If you brush too vigorously before applying the strips, you might irritate your gums. When the whitening gel comes into contact with irritated gums, it can cause discomfort or a burning sensation.