Whitening Strip Tips: 5 Dos and 5 Mistakes to Avoid

We’d all love to have a gleaming white smile, and that’s why loads of people are buying at-home teeth whitening kits. But how are you going to use them and get the best results? Here are some essential tips to maximise their effectiveness and avoid any issues.

1. Seriously clean your teeth

We don’t just mean a good old brush. We’re talking flossing and rinsing out every bit of debris and plaque. Why is this so important?

✓Even whitening across your teeth

Whitening agents work best on clean surfaces. Plaque, food and tartar can lead to uneven whitening as they block the whitening agent from reaching your teeth.

✓Helps reduce sensitivity

Clean teeth are less susceptible to sensitivity, and it’s just good oral hygiene.

✓Better adhesion

Strips like Crest Whitestrips adhere better to clean teeth and a drier tooth surface, so make sure to pat your teeth dry first, with a towel for example.

Lastly, use a gentle, non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging your enamel before whitening.

2. Follow the instructions

Don’t go and overdo the treatment length. A bit of give here and there is OK, but if you ignore the instructions you could get unwanted side effects.

✕Over-whitening

Leaving strips on for longer than suggested can make your teeth look so white they are almost fake. You want it to look natural.

✕Increased sensitivity

This is a big one. If you leave them on for ages you can get temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

✕Enamel damage

In absolutely extreme cases, misuse can weaken enamel. That’s if you really go all out!

Set your phone timer and don’t stray too far from the recommended time. It’s just not worth it.

3. Place them accurately

Really focus on getting them aligned perfectly to get uniform results.

✓Align with your gum line

Align the strips with your gum line and don’t place a large section over your gums. You’re not whitening the gums, and this can cause excessive irritation.

✓Press firmly on the strips

Fold them onto your teeth, hold them in place and fold them around. Keep patting them down and making sure they are secure. You want as much contact as possible.

If you have crooked teeth, bear this in mind, as you may need to target a particular tooth more. Remember: no contact, no whitening.

4. Post-whitening care

After removing the strips, rinse your mouth with water to remove any whitening gel, and try not to swallow it.

✕Avoid tannin-rich food and drink

For one to two hours after whitening, avoid dark-coloured foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. They can undo the whitening work you’ve just put in!

✓Keep your mouth clean

Continue brushing and flossing regularly. You don’t want plaque and food hiding the whiteness.

✓Use a whitening toothpaste

This is a good one. Use a whitening toothpaste after whitening and it’ll keep your teeth whiter for longer.

Using a straw for dark drinks can also help to avoid direct contact with your teeth.

5. Listen to your body

Tooth sensitivity can be a common side effect of whitening your teeth, but it is usually temporary. If you are getting sensitivity, do the following:

✓Use a sensitive toothpaste

Sensodyne is a great one. Try this; it can immediately block your sensitivity.

✓Reduce frequency

If sensitivity persists, reduce the frequency of your whitening treatments. Give your teeth more days to recover and go again.

✓Try a different whitening treatment

Crest Glamorous White strips are perfect for this, as they offer a more gentle whitening process but still stellar results.

Don’t ignore persistent sensitivity. It could be a sign of a more serious dental issue.

5 mistakes to avoid

1Ignoring the directions

Although it may seem simple, many people apply the strips without even reading the directions. Different brands give different instructions on how long to wear the strips, how often to use them, and whether to brush your teeth before or after applying them. Tooth sensitivity or poor results may follow if you disregard these guidelines. For the best results, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

2Excessive use of strips

Long-term daily use of whitening strips is not advised. Too much use can cause gum irritation, enamel erosion, and tooth sensitivity. In reality, using the strips more frequently can harm your oral health, despite the common misconception that doing so will produce quicker results. Don’t go over the suggested treatment time, and follow the recommended frequency, which for Crest 3D White LUXE is once a day for 20 days.

3Improper teeth preparation

Applying whitening strips to unclean teeth is a frequent error. The strips won’t stick or whiten as well if there is plaque, food residue, or surface stains. Rinsing your mouth and gently flossing your teeth before using strips will help ensure that the strips make proper contact with your enamel, even if brushing your teeth right before using them isn’t always advised because it might cause irritation.

4Eating or drinking straight after use

Your teeth are temporarily more porous after taking off the whitening strips, which makes them more prone to staining. The effects can be undone by eating dark foods or drinking coffee, tea, or red wine right after whitening. Avoid strongly coloured food and drink for at least one to two hours after each treatment to maintain your results, and if necessary, brush with a whitening-friendly toothpaste.

5Ignoring gum irritation and tooth sensitivity

While some sensitivity is common during or after teeth whitening, it’s crucial to take a break if you feel burning or acute pain in your gums. Serious harm may result from using the strips in spite of discomfort. If the issue continues, choose a milder whitening solution or speak with your dentist about other options.

Get the best results

By following these steps and using a reputable whitening strip brand like Crest, you’ll get amazing results! Consistency is key, oral hygiene is a must, and if you experience sensitivity, give it a rest for a bit. It’s usually just temporary.