What not to do after using crest whitening strips?

Author: Romaine Lang DDS  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Stay Away from Hot and Cold Beverages: Extreme temperatures can exacerbate tooth sensitivity, especially after teeth whitening. Avoid consuming hot and cold beverages immediately after whitening to prevent discomfort and potential damage to the enamel.

Am I supposed to brush my teeth after using crest Whitestrips?

Wait Before Brushing: If you choose to brush your teeth after using whitening strips, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. This gives your enamel time to re-harden and reduces the risk of sensitivity and irritation.

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.

What to do after using dissolving whitening strips?

After your whitening, brush off the remaining whitening residue and rinse with warm water or a mouthwash. A desensitizer toothpaste can also be used if your teeth get cold sensitive.

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 To Prevent Sensitive Teeth After Whitening

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.

Why are my teeth still yellow after whitening?

Damaged Enamel

If your teeth continue to turn yellow despite having them whitened, enamel degradation could be the culprit.

What not to do after using crest Whitestrips?

A. Avoid Acidic and Staining Foods: Acidic and staining foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and berries can compromise the results of teeth whitening and increase the risk of enamel erosion and staining. Limit consumption or rinse your mouth immediately after consuming such foods.

How do you rehydrate teeth after whitening strips?

A primary way to ensure that your teeth remain hydrated is to drink enough water throughout the day. Most health professionals recommend around 8 to 9 glasses of water a day.

What to do after 30 minutes of whitening strips?

The general advice is to wait at least 30 minutes, allowing the whitening agents time to set fully. However, brushing gently afterward—using a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste—can help you avoid any potential side effects like irritation or enamel wear.

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

Tips to Get the Best Results

While teeth whitening strips can be used any time in the day, we recommend that you use them at night before bedtime to help whiten teeth. Brushing teeth after use can help remove any potential leftover residue.

Why are Crest whitening strips not working?

Too much plaque and tartar

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. If you don't properly brush, sticky plaque hardens into tartar, trapping the stains on the surface of the teeth.

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.

Can I drink coffee after crest white strips?

These pores will be open for a couple hours after the strips are applied, making the teeth that much more likely to stain if contacted with foods and beverages of dark hues. Do not consume any dark-colored food or beverages such as chocolate, coffee, soda, berries and wine until later in the day or evening.

Why not brush teeth before whitening?

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.

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 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 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 are the zingers in teeth whitening?

Zingers that arise during or after teeth whitening treatments result from the active ingredients used to remove surface stains. This particular solution (hydrogen peroxide) can remove minerals from the enamel, resulting in a temporary porosity of the teeth.

Should I brush my teeth right after using Crest Whitestrips?

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.

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.

Why don't whitening strips cover all teeth?

Most whitening strips are not big enough to cover every tooth. They may stop just before your molars. Sometimes, people don't apply them correctly, leaving some areas untouched by the whitening agents. When that happens, some teeth can end up looking whiter than others.

Do teeth go back to normal after whitening strips?

Yes, teeth can gradually return to their original color after using whitening strips. This is because the whitening effect is not permanent. The rate at which teeth revert to their original color can depend on dietary habits, oral hygiene, and the natural tendency of the teeth to stain over time.

Can yellow teeth be permanently whitened?

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

Can you over whiten your teeth?

The problem is that many people tend to overdo it in an attempt to get the most out of the treatment. It's bad to overdo teeth whitening because you can not only discolor your teeth in an unflattering way, but you can end up causing tons of oral problems and degradation.

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