Should I do anything after using whitening strips?

Author: Dr. Monserrat Ondricka DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, May 1, 2025

It's generally recommended to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after using whitening strips. This waiting period allows your tooth enamel to recover from the peroxide exposure, as it can temporarily soften the enamel. Brushing too soon may lead to enamel erosion or damage.

What should I do after I take whitening strips off?

Post-Whitening Care: After using whitening strips, it's crucial to rinse your mouth, stay hydrated, and manage any sensitivity. Avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth for at least 48 hours to maintain the whitening effect.

Am I supposed to rinse my mouth after teeth whitening strips?

Rinsing your mouth after using whitening strips can help remove excess whitening gel. However, avoiding immediate use of mouthwash containing certain ingredients that may affect the whitening process is advisable. Brushing remains the recommended practice for comprehensive cleaning.

How soon 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 long do teeth pores stay open after whitening strips?

Also, avoid acidic foods such as fermented items, vinegar, pickles, and citrus fruits. Although the pores should return to normal size after 48 hours, you can be cautious for a full week to make the most out of your teeth whitening treatment.

The Right and Wrong Way to use Teeth Whitening Strips - A Dentist Explains

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.

Is it better to use whitening strips at night or in the morning?

Nighttime Application Works Best: Applying whitening strips at night aligns with your body's natural healing processes and helps avoid foods or drinks that could restain your teeth after treatment.

Is it okay to use mouthwash after teeth whitening?

You will also want to avoid colored dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash after the whitening treatment. Avoid colors like red, orange, and purple that can re-stain your teeth. Teeth-whitening procedures can sometimes make your teeth a little sensitive, but it will eventually fade away.

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.

Can I swallow my saliva with whitening strips?

Can I swallow saliva during teeth whitening? Yes, the teeth whitening gel is safe. The by-products when peroxide is broken down is largely oxygen (the byproduct that allows for the whitening process) and water.

Why are my teeth more yellow after 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.

How often should you whiten your teeth?

Most People Can Whiten Their Teeth Once a Year

Dentists monitor the risks and only recommend whitening to eligible candidates. Most people can get a full bleaching system every 12-18 months with touch-ups throughout the year.

How to get the best results from whitening strips?

6 Tips to Make the Most Out of Teeth Whitening Strips
  1. Daily Use is Good, BUT Never Wear Whitening Strips in Excess. ...
  2. Avoid Touching Your Gums During Wear. ...
  3. Wait Before Eating These Foods. ...
  4. Even Application Leads to the Best Results. ...
  5. Avoid Whitening If You Have Tooth Decay. ...
  6. Be Honest With the Results You Want.

What to do if you slept with whitening strips on?

What If I Accidentally Fall Asleep With Strips On Overnight? If this happens, remove the strips as soon as you wake up and rinse your mouth thoroughly.

Is it normal to have white spots on teeth after whitening?

Don't worry! The white, patchy, streaky, or lined look of teeth after whitening is normal – it's called enamel demineralization.

What are the don'ts after teeth whitening?

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks

To avoid staining your teeth after getting them whitened, it is important to avoid foods and drinks that are likely to cause staining. These include coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables.

How long do teeth pores stay open after whitening?

The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.

What should I do 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.

Why not brush teeth before white strips?

Wait before applying Whitestrips: It's essential to wait 30 minutes after brushing before applying Whitestrips. Brushing can temporarily weaken your enamel, making it more sensitive. Waiting allows your teeth to recover and minimizes the risk of sensitivity.

Do whitening strips work better wet or dry?

The general rule of thumb is that your teeth should be dry when applying whitening strips. Moisture can interfere with the adhesion of the strips to your teeth, reducing their effectiveness. Before applying the strips, it's crucial to ensure your teeth are clean and completely dry.

What is the disadvantage of whitening strips?

Frequent application of the whitening strips may even cause the discoloration to be permanent. Spotting on the teeth is also possible. White spots could appear on the surface of the teeth due to the hydrogen peroxide. It can make the teeth look bad and unhygienic.

Why keep teeth whitening in the fridge?

Constant refrigeration virtually stops breakdown of whitening gels. More importantly, refrigeration protects whitening gels against the potency-robbing damage of heat during storage and shipping.

How long after crest whitestrips can I eat?

After using whitening strips, you should always rinse your mouth with water. You should also do this after eating or drinking. A minimum of 30 minutes must pass after using whitening strips before consuming any acidic or sugary foods or beverages as they may discolor teeth.

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