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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tooth Brushing: Before or After Breakfast
By brushing before breakfast, you don't allow the bacteria from breakfast add to the plaque already formed. Brushing your teeth before breakfast also lowers the risk that the enamel will be damaged.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If teeth are overexposed to the hydrogen peroxide agent in whitening gel, the outer layers of enamel may begin to wear away, exposing the dentin and soft inner tissues. This results in lasting sensitivity and discoloration, as dentin is a naturally darker color than enamel.
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.
After removing the whitening strips, it's crucial to rinse your mouth thoroughly to remove any residual gel. Take a moment to examine your teeth in the mirror, appreciating the initial results. It's common to notice an immediate improvement in the shade of your teeth, which can be quite satisfying.
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.
Yes, after using Whitestrips, you can brush gently.
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.
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.
To protect your teeth, don't brush them right after having food or drinks that contain a lot of acids.
Drinking water immediately after you wake up without brushing your teeth does not harm you in any way. Doctors always recommend drinking two full glass or at least one, on an empty stomach. There are several benefits your body receives when you consume water every morning after you wake up.
Regular flossing may also reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line. It's best to floss before brushing your teeth.