Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Whitening Strips?

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 rather than the facts. So, allow us to be the light at the end of the brushing-before-or-after-whitening-strips tunnel.

In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the pros and 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

Naturally, brushing before you put on whitening strips removes plaque and food particles, reducing the likelihood of trapping them under the strips and reducing the dazzling effects of the strips.

On top of that, it lets the strips make better contact with your teeth, improving your whitening efforts.

✕The cons of brushing before

Despite the upsides, brushing before putting whitening strips on can cause sensitivity, especially if you accidentally brush too hard. Plus, abrasive toothpastes can leave your enamel more sensitive to the whitening gel.

Expert tip: If you want to brush your teeth before putting whitening strips on, wait about 30 minutes after brushing before applying them, and avoid abrasive toothpastes. This “rest” period should ensure the strips have a clean surface to adhere to without causing gum sensitivity on application.

Should you brush after teeth whitening strips?

There are also positives and negatives to brushing after whitening strips.

✓The pros of brushing after

Brushing your teeth after whitening strips won’t affect the whitening results, so you’re safe to brush gently to remove the leftover gel and freshen your breath.

✕The cons of brushing after

Even though it’s safe to brush after whitening strips, 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 abrasive toothpastes will be too harsh, potentially damaging the enamel and increasing tooth and gum sensitivity.

Best practice: what the experts recommend

You may have formed your own idea of whether to brush before or after whitening strips, but the experts actually recommend brushing beforehand. Their suggested routine is as follows:

1. Brush gently before applying whitening strips, without abrasive toothpaste. This will ensure the strip has good contact with your teeth.
2. Wait about 30 minutes after brushing before applying the strips. This will reduce any undue sensitivity.
3. Apply the strips and leave them on for 30 minutes, as stated on the packaging.
4. Remove the strips and avoid brushing immediately after. Rinse your mouth out with water instead.
5. If you want to brush half an hour after the treatment, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

Extra tips for using whitening strips effectively

Now you know how and when to brush when using whitening strips, here are a few more tips for the best results:

✕Don’t overuse whitening strips

Whitening strips contain bleaching agents that can make your teeth very 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 strips on for longer than directed.

✕Avoid staining food and drink for one to two hours

Foods and drinks like red wine, berries, fruit juices, tea, and coffee cause yellowed teeth. So, it’s important to avoid them for one or two hours after whitening so you don’t undo the results.

✓Try sensitive formula strips

Do you have sensitive teeth? Try sensitive formula strips. While they still contain bleaching agents, the concentration is much lower, which can help prevent 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 longer-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 unnecessary sensitivity and irritation.