Teeth whitening strips are a tried-and-true way of brightening your smile without undergoing expensive dental work. But if you are new to them, understanding the nuances, such as, “Should you brush your teeth before or after whitening strips?”, can feel daunting.
A quick Google may help you out, but the internet is rife with misinformation and people stating their own opinions without speaking the facts. So, allow us to be the light at the end of the brushing-before-or-after-whitening-strips tunnel.
Throughout the following sections, we’ll walk you through the pros and the cons of both brushing times before diving into what the experts recommend.
Should You Brush Before Whitening Strips?
Firstly, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of brushing before whitening strips:
The Pros of Brushing Before Using Whitening Strips
Naturally, brushing before you put on whitening strips removes plaque and food particles, reducing the likelihood of trapping them under the strips and potentially reducing the dazzling effects of the strips.
On top of that, it will let the strips make better contact with your teeth, improving your whitening efforts.
The Cons of Brushing Before Using Whitening Strips
Despite the upsides, brushing before putting whitening strips on can cause sensitivity, especially if you accidentally brush too hard. Plus, the toothpaste you use may contain fluoride or abrasives, which won’t react positively with the whitening agent on the strips.
| Expert Tip: If you want to brush your teeth before putting whitening strips on, wait half an hour after brushing before applying them and try to avoid toothpastes with fluoride or abrasive particles. This “rest” period should ensure the strips have a clean surface to adhere to without causing gum sensitivity upon application. |
Should You Brush After Teeth Whitening Strips?
Despite the above, there are positives and negatives to brushing after whitening strips, too:
The Pros of Brushing After Teeth Whitening Strips
Brushing your teeth after whitening strips won’t impact the whitening effects of the treatment, so you’re safe to brush gently to remove the leftover gel and freshen your breath.
The Cons of Brushing After Teeth Whitening Strips
Even though it’s safe to brush after whitening strips, it’s worth noting that doing so can irritate your gums if they’re already sensitive from the strips.
| Expert Tip: If you want to brush your teeth immediately after using whitening strips, make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a gentle toothpaste. Hard-bristled toothbrushes and/or abrasive toothpastes will be too harsh, potentially damaging the enamel and increasing tooth/gum sensitivity. |
Best Practice: What the Experts Recommend
You may have formulated your own idea as to whether you want to brush before or after whitening strips, but the experts actually recommend brushing beforehand. Their suggested routine is as follows:
- Brush before applying whitening strips. Brush gently without abrasive toothpaste for best results. This will ensure the strip has adequate contact to your teeth.
- Wait between 20 and 30 minutes after brushing before applying the strips. This will reduce any undue sensitivity you may experience.
- Apply the strips and leave on for the duration stated on the packaging.
- Remove the strips and avoid brushing immediately after. Rinse your mouth out with water instead.
- If you want to brush your teeth half an hour after the treatment, you can do so with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
Extra Tips for Using Whitening Strips Effectively
While you know precisely how and when to brush your teeth when using whitening strips, it takes more than that knowledge to maximise the brightness of your pearly whites. Here are a few tips for ensuring best results:
- Don’t overuse whitening strips — Whitening strips contain bleaching agents that can make your teeth incredibly sensitive and irritate your gums. While some people experience this with normal use, avoiding overuse is the main way to prevent these side effects. Always follow the instructions on the packaging and never leave them on for longer than directed.
- Avoid staining foods or drinks for one to two hours after use — Foods and drinks like red wine, berries, fruit juices, tea, and coffee cause yellowed teeth. So, it’s important to avoid these foods/beverages for one or two hours after whitening to avoid undoing their effects.
- Try sensitive formula strips — Do you have sensitive teeth? Try sensitive formula strips. While they still contain bleaching agents, the concentration is much lower, hopefully preventing any extra tooth or gum pain.
- Pair with whitening toothpaste — Don’t just use whitening strips and leave it at that. Pair your treatment with a whitening toothpaste for long-lasting, brighter results. Just make sure it isn’t too abrasive if you plan to brush shortly after the strips!
Should You Brush Your Teeth Before Or After Whitening Strips?
There are ups and downs to brushing before and after whitening strips. But our advice is to follow the experts — brush gently beforehand and wait a while before brushing after treatment. That way, you’ll avoid an unnecessary sensitivity and irritation.
