Do you brush your teeth before or after whitening strips

You brush twice—sometimes three—times a day, you've slapped on a few Crest Whitestrips, and you opt for white wine instead of red at parties. And yet, your teeth are still not nearly as white and bright as they could be. That's probably because you're making one of these three common mistakes. Don't worry, though, we got you covered. Here's how to fix them.

1. You rely on a whitening toothpaste. Toothpastes can claim to be whitening without actually containing any bleaching ingredients. That's because they often just contain silica, a scrubby ingredient that removes the stains on the surface of your teeth but not the ones in the enamel. Meaning you won't do any damage to those decade-old coffee stains. One exception? The new Luster Premium Power White Deep Stain Eraser Toothpaste, which contains 2 percent stabilized hydrogen peroxide. "It should work better than other whitening toothpastes," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson.

2. You always brush your teeth with toothpaste before using whitening strips. We get it: Bleach strips don't exactly taste good, and you don't want to walk around with an unbrushed mouth. But brushing your teeth before you whiten can do more harm than good (heck, they even tell you not to on the box). If you insist: "Don't use fluoride toothpaste, since it sticks to teeth and blocks peroxide from getting in," says Michael Apa, a dentist in New York City. Instead, get that minty freshness with an all-natural, fluoride-free toothpaste. You should, however, floss before whitening. It dislodges plaque, which also prevents bleach from penetrating.

3. You bleach right before a boozy party. You've got some downtime before a boozy wine-and-grub party, so it's the perfect time to slap on a whitening strip, right? Wrong: "Be careful with wine, coffee, tea, and berries while you're whitening, since peroxide makes teeth more porous and prone to stains for 72 hours," says Kevin B. Sands, a dentist in Los Angeles. And while we're at it, you're not entirely in the clear drinking white wine, either. It's super-acidic and removes a microlayer of your teeth, making them more susceptible to staining. The best move? Chase each glass of wine with a glass of water, and only whiten when you know you can avoid potential stains for a few days.

Find more teeth-whitening tricks in our September issue, on newsstands August 26.

RELATED LINKS:

• 3 Easy Ways to Get Whiter Teeth

• Insiders' Guide: How to Get Really Clean Teeth

• [The Truth About Teeth: How to Get a Brighter, Whiter Smile

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Many people want to improve the appearance of their smile. This can include a variety of treatments, from straightening crooked teeth, replacing missing teeth, reconstructing broken teeth and whitening dark teeth.

It is also popular when people want to find ways to do this without going to the dentist or, at least, reducing visits to the dentist. In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at tooth whitening strips and answer some of the questions you may have about this homemade tooth whitening option.

1. What are the teeth whitening options?

There are several ways to whiten dark teeth. Some of them can be done at home, while others require a visit to the dentist. When we understand this, we can make the best decision about whitening strips.

2. Tooth whitening without dentist

a. The following items can usually be purchased without a prescription

1. Teeth whitening toothpastes – can start the process at home, there is very little active whitening agent in toothpaste, as this is restricted by law. These toothpastes usually use a slightly more abrasive compound. This is most effective at removing superficial stains.
2. Tooth whitening sticks – can usually be purchased at pharmacies and similar stores. It is usually just a slightly translucent white color that temporarily covers the front of the tooth. Often, they can be good at whitening teeth for a single occasion, but the results are very temporary. Other whitening pens contain an active whitening agent. Therefore, it is important to check the type of offer before buying.
3. Teeth whitening strips – whitening strips contain an active ingredient that allows you to whiten your teeth actively. However, it is important to know that for safety reasons, the amount of this active ingredient is significantly reduced compared to the amount that you can ingest if prescribed by a professional.
   Tooth whitening with dentist

b. The following options can whiten your teeth more than without a visit to the dentist

1. Homemade tooth whitening kit – Includes a visit to the dentist to obtain a dental impression. A highly accurate bleaching shell with individual adjustment is made from this impression. This tray fits exactly on the surface of the teeth. This will help keep the whitening gel in place and prevent it from touching delicate gums. The whitening gel is placed in the bowl and then used for a few hours each day or possibly overnight. The whitening gel contains hydrogen peroxide bleach to whiten the teeth.
2. When whitening in the office – involves the dentist in the office / practice of applying the whitening gel on the surface of the teeth and then applying a powerful light to speed up the whitening process. The dentist will ensure that an insulating agent is applied to the gums to prevent the gel from coming into contact with them.

3. Should I brush my teeth before whitening trays?

It is advisable to wait 20 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. This gives the tooth’s surface time to recover from any acid attack that occurs every time something is eaten or drunk. This is especially true when it comes to acidic foods and drinks.

The same applies to teeth whitening. We recommend adding a 20 minute delay after eating before brushing your teeth and starting the whitening process. It is important that any food residue or surface coating is removed from the teeth before whitening. For this reason, we recommend brushing your teeth before starting your daily home whitening routine.

4. Do whitening strips work well on yellow teeth?

You can. Whitening strips typically have a content of hydrogen peroxide (the active ingredient in whitening) of about 6.5%, while tooth whitening prescribed by a dentist can use concentrations of up to 40% in certain circumstances. This usually means that teeth whitening at the dentist is faster and can whiten your teeth more than whitening strips.

One of the reasons why the concentration in the whitening strips is lower is that hydrogen peroxide can burn the delicate soft tissue / gum area. The concentration is therefore lower for domestic use. However, if the dentist is involved, he will take steps (such as providing a well-adjusted whitening tray or isolating the gums during the whitening operation) to ensure that the hydrogen peroxide is well away from the gums.

5. Can I eat after light?

In fact, it is consumed after any form of whitening. However, it is noticed that there is some sensitivity a few hours after the removal of the whitening trays. It may be advisable to avoid foods that are too hot or too cold. This sensitivity should calm down quickly. With the whitening strips, some people notice that the sensitivity is lower due to the lower concentration of the active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide.

6. Do you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

We recommend brushing your teeth beforehand for any type of whitening. This is to ensure that the plaque (the sticky surface layer of the teeth) is removed and that any whitening agents contained in the strips or gel are in close contact with the teeth.

We do not recommend brushing immediately after whitening, as your teeth may be a little more sensitive for a few hours. Whitening strips are generally less sensitive than any other form of whitening, but the whitening process takes longer due to the lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide active ingredient.

7. Are there any negative side effects of teeth whitening?

The most common side effect of teeth whitening is sensitivity. Some people think that using a toothpaste with sensitive teeth can help to alleviate this. It may be advisable to start using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth a few weeks before starting whitening so that the teeth have time to build up resistance and prevent tooth sensitivity.

Another serious side effect of teeth whitening can be burning gums. Teeth whitening at the dentist is carefully controlled to ensure that the whitener does not touch the gums. This is done with a very tight tray, made just for you. Without this shell, the gel would come into contact with the teeth.

Another side effect may be that your teeth don’t turn white, but the tartar that forms between your teeth turns white. This happens when the tartar is not removed between the teeth before whitening starts, so the whitener cannot really touch the teeth and just whiten the tartar.

Therefore, visiting a dentist for whitening is the only legal way to ensure that you are getting the brightest smile. A dentist will ensure that all oral health requirements are met before starting any whitening. That includes:

1. Gingival retraction, which can worsen dentin hypersensitivity
2. Gum disease, which can cause bleeding and damage to the gums
3. Cracked teeth control, cracked teeth can become sensitive to ultrasound if bleaching is performed.

They will do a thorough evaluation to make sure that the gums are not bleeding (which can then be mixed with the whitening gel) and that there is no tartar between the teeth that would completely prevent teeth whitening.

B. Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips?

Whitening strips are an over-the-counter treatment to whiten your teeth. The strips contain ingredients that will remove stains from the teeth. If you are new to using the straps, you may be wondering how to incorporate them into your routine.

1. Do you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

It is okay to brush your teeth after using the strips, but there are some aspects to consider. Whitening strips can overload your teeth and gums. Therefore, it is important to be careful. This article explains best practices for brushing your teeth and using whitening strips. We will also explain how the strips work and what side effects they can have.

2. Should you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

It is safe to brush your teeth and floss after using the whitening strips. This does not reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing this carefully. This will help you avoid irritation and gum discomfort. You can also use a soft bristle brush. A hard bristle brush can be very abrasive and increase the risk of gum irritation.

3. Should you brush your teeth before using whitening strips?

You can also brush and floss before applying the bleach strips. This will remove plaque and food residues that can get trapped under the strips. In addition, the strips must adhere completely to clean teeth, which should improve teeth whitening efforts. If you want to brush your teeth first, wait at least 30 minutes before applying the strips. Using whitening strips right after brushing can cause gum irritation.

4. How do whitening strips work on your teeth?

Typically, whitening strips use peroxide to whiten teeth. Peroxide is a type of bleach. Most strips contain hydrogen peroxide, but some manufacturers may use carbamide peroxide. The plastic strips have a thin layer of peroxide gel. When you apply the strips to the teeth, the bleach removes the stains on the teeth. This will reduce the concentration of stains, making your teeth whiter. Depending on the product, you will probably need to use the strips for 30 minutes once or twice a day. It may also be necessary to repeat the process for 14 days.

1. How to keep your teeth free from stains
2. Limit tooth-stained foods, such as coffee, red wine, tea, and fruit juice.
3. Limit acidic foods and drinks.
4. Use a straw when drinking tooth-stained drinks.
5. Avoid smoking cigarettes and other types of tobacco.
6. Brush and floss twice a day.
7. Brush your teeth immediately after consuming foods that cause stains.
8. Chew sugarless chewing gum to neutralize acids.
9. Visit your dentist twice a year for thorough cleaning.

5. Side effects of whitening strips

Although whitening strips are useful, the ingredients can overwhelm your teeth and gums.

Side effects and their severity depend on several factors:

1. Concentration of peroxide-based bleach
2. Other ingredients in the product
3. How long have you been using the whitening strips?
4. Your history of tooth sensitivity

It is important to follow the instructions on the packaging and avoid using the strips for longer than recommended.

6. This will help you to avoid side effects such as

a. Tooth sensitivity

The bleaching agents on the whitening strips can make your teeth more sensitive. This occurs when the peroxide passes through the tooth enamel and reaches the dentin.

Dentin is the soft layer of tissue under the tooth enamel. It is composed of tubules that communicate with the nerves of the tooth. If peroxide enters the dentin, it can irritate the nerves and cause tooth sensitivity.

Sensitive teeth are associated with pain and discomfort caused by a variety of triggering factors, including:

1. Sour food and drinks
2. Hot or cold liquids
3. Cold air
4. To brush
5. Floss

Tooth sensitivity due to whitening strips can last for several days. However, it is usually only temporary. If you develop this side effect, pause the strips before using them again.

b. Gum irritation

The peroxide in the whitening strips can also irritate the gums. This usually happens if you use the strips for a long time or if you use them incorrectly. Like tooth sensitivity, gingival irritation can last for a few days, but it is also temporary.

c. Dental damage

In some cases, whitening strips can damage your teeth. Peroxide can destroy dental layers and cause demineralization and erosion. This is more likely if you use the whitening strips too much. Again, it is best to avoid using whitening strips for a long time.

d. Talk to a dentist

If you want to use over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as strips, see a dentist.

This is especially important if you:

1. Caries
2. Inflammation of the gums
3. Tooth sensitivity
4. Thrush
5. Canker sores
6. Lip herpes

If you suffer from any of these conditions, the ingredients in the whitening products can cause discomfort. Your dentist can determine if the whitening strips are safe for you. In that case, they can recommend the best options and explain how to use them. They can also suggest toothpastes and toothbrushes that are safe to use with whitening strips.

7. Summary

It is safe to brush your teeth after applying the whitening strips. Just be careful to avoid gum irritation. Another option is to brush your teeth before using whitening strips. This is great for removing the plate that can get stuck under the strips. Wait at least 30 minutes before applying the strips to avoid gum irritation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using whitening products. Leaving them too long can cause tooth sensitivity, gum irritation and damage to teeth. Your dentist can recommend the best whitening strips for your situation.

Do I use whitening strips before or after I brush my teeth?

How long should I wait after brushing my teeth to put on whitening strips?