How to help teeth after whitening strips?

Author: Roslyn Swaniawski DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, March 30, 2025

How Do You Treat Teeth Sensitivity After Whitening?
  1. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ...
  2. Ask your dentist about potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel. ...
  3. Try a desensitizing toothpaste. ...
  4. Switch to a soft-bristled brush. ...
  5. Avoid cold beverages—or drink through a straw.

How to make your teeth stop hurting after whitening strips?

Desensitizing gels and fluoride varnish can give you quick relief from the sensitivity caused by teeth whitening. Fluoride varnish contains high concentrations of sodium fluoride, up to 5%. It's painted directly onto your teeth in a thin layer by your dental care provider.

How do you rehydrate teeth after whitening strips?

Saliva is the Best Hydration

Your saliva contains the minerals your tooth enamel needs to resurface and restore itself after whitening. Avoid smoking, extreme exercise, excess caffeine, mouth rinses with alcohol in them, and any other foods or activities that will leave your mouth dry.

How do you take care of teeth after whitening strips?

Avoid consuming hot and cold beverages immediately after whitening to prevent discomfort and potential damage to the enamel. E. Don't Neglect Regular Brushing and Flossing: Even after whitening, maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is paramount.

Are you supposed to brush your teeth after taking off Whitestrips?

While it may be tempting to brush immediately after using whitening strips for a fresh feeling in your mouth, it's best to wait at least 30 minutes before doing so.

How to do Teeth Whitening

How long after whitening strips can I eat?

Wait for about 30 minutes after removing the whitening strips before brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste to ensure the effectiveness of the whitening agents. Once the strips are removed, avoid eating or drinking anything that will cause staining to the teeth for at least an hour.

How to get the most out of whitening strips?

How To Properly Use Teeth Whitening Strips
  1. 1) Don't Brush. Floss Instead! ...
  2. 2) Place On Dry Teeth. Don't put your strips on yet. ...
  3. 3) Wear Them 10-15 Minutes. ...
  4. 4) Brush Your Teeth After Whitening Strips. ...
  5. 5) Repeat!

Can I mouthwash after whitening strips?

Can I Use Mouthwash After Using Whitestrips? It's OK to rinse with an over the counter mouthwash after using Crest 3D White Whitestrips. We recommend using Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse to help maintain your whiter teeth.

Why do my teeth go back to yellow after using whitening strips?

Whitening strips often contain peroxide-based chemicals to eliminate enamel stains, which may lead to temporary irritation and redness of the gums. This redness creates a visual contrast that can make the teeth seem more yellow.

What not to do when using whitening strips?

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.

Why do my teeth hurt so bad after whitening?

When whitening treatments cause sensitivity, it is because of the bleaching agent in the treatment. All forms of tooth bleaching may cause inflammation to the pulp, which results from exposure to peroxide.

How to close teeth pores after whitening?

By gently coating your teeth with a product like MI Paste or Colgate's Pro-Argin Toothpaste, you will plug up open pores on your teeth and reduce sensitivity. Additionally, the remineralizing effects of these pastes help to improve whitening.

What happens if I accidentally drink coffee after teeth whitening?

Many people accidentally drink coffee out of habit right after their teeth whitening, and if you did as well — that is okay. Coffee may not have noticeable effects if you have it once or twice, and it might not interfere with the overall results.

How to rehydrate teeth after whitening?

How To Rehydrate Teeth After Whitening
  1. Chew sugar-free gum that won't cause tooth decay.
  2. Stop all tobacco use.
  3. Limit your caffeine intake.
  4. Avoid sugary or acidic drinks.
  5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  6. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

Do whitening strips damage enamel?

However, if directions aren't followed and strips are left on for too long or used too often, they can be bad for teeth. Why? The active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide can not only whiten teeth, but it can also damage enamel if not used correctly.

How long do teeth stay sensitive after whitening?

You may experience sensitive teeth after whitening for around 24-48 hours. Fortunately, sensitivity rarely lasts longer than this.

How long will my teeth stay white after whitening strips?

Generally, the effects of a whitening treatment like whitening strips can last from 3 to 6 months. Professional dental whitening treatments might have longer-lasting effects, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years, provided good oral hygiene is maintained and staining substances are avoided.

Why do my teeth look weird after whitening?

Post-Whitening Dehydration

As these agents work to eliminate stains, they also extract moisture from the enamel, causing a temporary loss of water content. This dehydration leaves behind a porous and less mineralized surface, causing white spots on teeth after whitening.

Why are my teeth so transparent after whitening strips?

If you experience teeth translucency after teeth whitening, don't panic! This relatively common side effect usually subsides within a few weeks. To prevent this, use safe and gentle teeth whitening solutions or discuss options with your dentist to ensure a lasting result without the risk of enamel damage.

What happens if you leave whitening strips on longer than 30 minutes?

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.

How to remove whitening strips from teeth?

Remove The Strips Carefully: Gently peel away the whitening strips from your teeth, starting from the back and working your way to the front. Avoid tugging or pulling too hard to prevent irritating your gums.

Why are my teeth still yellow after whitening strips?

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.

Do whitening strips lose effectiveness?

Whitening strips can provide noticeable results in just a few days, and the effects can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. However, the longevity of your results depends on several factors, such as your diet, oral hygiene habits, and lifestyle choices.

Why do whitening strips feel so weird?

Most professional and over-the-counter whitening products feature hydrogen peroxide as their active ingredient. Some people may have teeth that are sensitive to peroxide. Your teeth may start to ache during the whitening procedure, and you may feel discomfort when drinking or eating hot or cold products.

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