Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips?

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Kirsten Nunez on December 21, 2020

Brushing after whitening
Brushing before whitening
About whitening strips
Side effects
Talk with a dentist
Takeaway

Whitening strips are an over-the-counter treatment for lightening the color of your teeth. The strips contain ingredients that remove the stains on your teeth.

If you’re new to using the strips you may wonder how to include them into your routine. Do you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

It’s OK to brush your teeth after using the strips, but there are several things to keep in mind. Whitening strips can be harsh on your teeth and gums, so it’s important to be careful.

In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for brushing your teeth and using whitening strips. We’ll also explain how the strips work and their potential side effects.

Should you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

It’s safe to brush and floss your teeth after using whitening strips. It won’t reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing so gently. This will help you avoid gum irritation and discomfort.

You may also want to use a soft-bristled brush. A hard-bristled brush may be too abrasive and increase your risk of gum irritation.

Should you brush your teeth before using whitening strips?

You can also brush and floss before applying whitening strips. This will remove plaque and food debris that may get stuck beneath the strips.

Additionally, the strips should fully adhere to your clean teeth, which should improve your 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 might cause gum irritation.

How do whitening strips work on your teeth?

Typically, whitening strips use peroxide to whiten your teeth. Peroxide is a type of bleach. Most strips contain hydrogen peroxide, but some manufacturers may use carbamide peroxide.

The strips, which are made of plastic, have a thin layer of peroxide gel. When you apply the strips on your teeth, the bleach breaks apart the stains on your teeth. This reduces the concentration of stains, which makes your teeth look whiter.

Depending on the product, you’ll likely have to wear the strips for 30 minutes once or twice a day. You may also need to repeat the process for 14 days.

How to keep teeth stain-free

Limit tooth-staining foods like coffee, red wine, tea, and fruit juice.
Limit acidic foods and beverages.
Use a straw when drinking tooth-staining beverages.
Avoid smoking cigarettes and other tobacco.
Regularly brush and floss twice a day.
Brush your teeth immediately after eating foods that cause staining.
Chew sugarless gum to neutralize acids.
Visit your dentist twice a year for a deep cleaning.

Side effects of whitening strips

Though whitening strips are convenient, the ingredients can be harsh on your teeth and gums.

The side effects, as well as their severity, depend on several factors:

concentration of peroxide bleach
other ingredients in the product
how long you use the whitening strips
your history of tooth sensitivity

It’s important to follow the instructions on the packaging and avoid wearing the strips longer than recommended.

This will help you avoid side effects, such as:

Tooth sensitivity

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

The dentin is the soft layer of tissue underneath the enamel. It consists of tubules, which communicate with the nerves in the tooth. If the peroxide enters the dentin, it can irritate the nerves and cause tooth sensitivity.

Having sensitive teeth involves pain and discomfort caused by various triggers, including:

acidic foods and drinks
hot or cold liquids
cold air
brushing
flossing

Tooth sensitivity due to whitening strips may continue for several days. However, it’s usually temporary. If you develop this side effect, take a break from the strips before using them again.

Gum irritation

The peroxide in whitening strips might also irritate your gums. Often, this happens if you use the strips for too long or wear them incorrectly.

Like tooth sensitivity, gum irritation can last a few days but is also temporary.

Tooth damage

In some cases, whitening strips can cause tooth damage. The peroxide may destroy the layers of your teeth, causing demineralization and erosion.

This is more likely to happen if you overuse whitening strips. Again, it’s best to avoid wearing whitening strips for too long.

Talk with a dental professional

If you’re interested in using over-the-counter teeth whitening products like strips, talk to a dentist.

This is especially important if you have:

cavities
gum disease
tooth sensitivity
thrush
canker sores
cold sores

If you have any of these conditions, the ingredients in whitening products may cause discomfort.

Your dentist can determine if whitening strips are safe for you. If so, they can recommend the best options and explain how to use them. They may also suggest toothpastes and toothbrushes that are safe to use with whitening strips.

Takeaway

It’s safe to brush your teeth after applying whitening strips. Just be sure to do it gently to avoid irritating your gums.

Another option is to brush your teeth before using whitening strips. This is ideal for removing plaque, which can get stuck beneath the strips. Wait at least 30 minutes before applying the strips to avoid gum irritation.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using whitening products. Leaving them on for too long can cause tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and tooth damage. Your dentist can recommend the best whitening strips for your situation.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Carey CM. (2014). Tooth whitening: What we now know. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006
Sensitive teeth. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sensitive-teeth
Whitening. (2020).https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/whitening
Whitening: 5 things to know about getting a brighter smile. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Kirsten Nunez on December 21, 2020

Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips?

Skin Care

Should you brush your teeth after using whitening strips?

Should you brush your teeth before using whitening strips?

How do whitening strips work on your teeth?

How to keep teeth stain-free

Side effects of whitening strips

Tooth sensitivity

Gum irritation

Tooth damage

Talk with a dental professional

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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