Misuse can cause damage to your teeth, gums, and health. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Instructions can vary between brands, always fully read the instructions before use.
Brush your teeth at least a half-hour before you apply the strips to let saliva clean away any excess fluoride and get the enamel ready for whitening.
Apply the side with any gel to your teeth. This gel is the whitening agent and must contact the entire surface of your teeth except the gums to work properly. The smooth side of the strip will have no whitening gel and is there only to help you apply the strip.
Try drying the surface of your teeth with a napkin or towel before applying the strips. This will help increase the whitening effect. You can also use a cheek retractor to spread your lips and control the flow of saliva during the whitening treatment. Less moisture in your mouth will give you a better result. A tooth brush can be used to smooth the strip out if needed. Completely covering your teeth without any irregular areas will help evenly whiten your teeth. Avoid allowing the strips to reach up and cover your gums, as this can cause irritation or even slight burns that will make your gums look white.
In general, you will wait for around 30 minutes, before removing the strips. In order to keep your teeth dry during the whitening procedure you can try lying in bed on our back, keeping your mouth a little bit open. This will reduce the quantity of saliva, which may interfere in the whitening process. Try breathing through your mouth for a while as well to help dry out your mouth.
Don’t leave them on longer than specified as this can cause irritation and sensitivity in the teeth and gums. Leaving the strips on for a longer amount of time won’t increase the whitening results. Clean your mouth after using the strips. Try rinsing with water or brushing your teeth to ensure that all the whitening gel is out of your mouth. Try not to swallow too much of the gel as it can be toxic.
Use twice daily for 30 minutes at a time. Sustained results can be expected at around four months, but they also work well after a professional teeth whitening in a dental office.
Don’t worry if you accidentally swallow a small amount of gel. Small amounts will likely not produce any symptoms.
Take a break from whitening strips if you notice your teeth or gums becoming sensitive. [7] X Research source Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Dentist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020. Ask your dentist if you are able to use whitening strips safely.
Brush twice daily, for around two minutes each time. [9] X Research source Don’t brush too hard as this can remove enamel or damage the gums. Also try to avoid using a toothbrush that is too hard (always use soft) and do not use a new toothbrush immediately after the treatment or after drinking a soda as the enamel is weakened and very sensitive to abrasion. You can try using whitening toothpaste in addition to your whitening strips but make sure you are also using toothpaste with over 1100 ppm of fluoride, which may help with any sensitivity. Try using strips and whitening toothpaste for two weeks to start, but alternate the whitening toothpaste with the fluoride toothpaste (best used before bed). [10] X Research source
Try to swish your mouthwash for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out. If the mouthwash is too strong, you can water it down, or dilute it with water from the start using a 50:50 dilution. You may want to use whitening mouthwashes in addition to your whitening strips.
Start with a long piece of floss, about arms length. Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, spanning the gap between your hands. Work the floss down in between teeth on both sides of each gum papilla (the gum triangle which is located between teeth). Pull the floss to one side of the tooth, forming a “c” shape. Move the floss up and down the length of the tooth to clean it.
Coffee, tea and wine can cause your teeth to become stained. Sugary foods or highly acidic drinks, like orange juice or soda, can wear the enamel away on your teeth. This can cause cavities or other dental issues. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Your dentist may be able to provide whitening services for you and help you to track their progress.
