Do I Rinse After Whitening Strips: Here’s Everything To Know!
Teeth whitening strips are a quick and affordable solution for yellowish teeth, providing a whiter look to your teeth in no time.
If you are planning to use them soon or have just used them, you might have a common question: Do I rinse after whitening strips?
Because the strips must adhere to your teeth like clear tape, they leave behind a bit of chemical, which causes irritation and prompts people to try to remove the chemical with tap water or toothpaste.
Let’s investigate the important and essential details about teeth-whitening strips.
Do I Rinse After Whitening Strips
It is, in fact, vital to rinse after using teeth whitening strips. Wash your teeth with lukewarm tap water to remove the sticky substances. To quickly remove the chemical, try rinsing in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions.
Rinse immediately after removing the strip. Wait at least 30 minutes for the whitening gel to take effect.
If you rinse early enough, the gel may become detached from your teeth, and you may not receive the expected whitening results.
How long do I rinse after using whitening strips?
There is no limit to how many times you can rinse your mouth. You can rinse your teeth multiple times until the taste and chemical are no longer there.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you rinse for at least 30 seconds after using the whitening strips.
Can I drink water while using whitening strips?
When using whitening strips, it is safe to drink fresh water.
This is because the gel is not exposed or covered by the strips. Water cannot disrupt the gel when the strips are being applied.
However, it is better to drink gently and in little sips to avoid any strong movements that may displace the whitening strips from the teeth.
Can I drink water after whitening strips?
Whether it’s drinking water or tap water to rinse with, after removing the whitening strips, it is best to keep your teeth away from moisture for 30 minutes.
In fact, hydrating yourself for a few minutes before using the whitening strips is recommended.
How long after whitening strips can I drink coffee?
Coffee is a dark-colored beverage that can discolor your teeth. Worse, it can harm your newly whitened teeth.
It is preferable to wait at least two days before beginning to consume coffee.
How long after whitening strips can I smoke?
Smoking can discolor your teeth in any way, whether you use whitening strips or not. Furthermore, even a dentist would take a long time to remove the stubborn stains.
To avoid ruining your whitening treatment, take a break from smoking for at least 24 – 48 hours.
Should I brush my teeth after using whitening strips?
After 30 minutes, you can begin brushing your teeth if you use whitening strips.
For a professional teeth whitening procedure performed by a dentist, it is recommended that you refrain from brushing your teeth for 6 – 24 hours.
You may look at some of the tips to follow for brushing after teeth whitening.
- Don’t brush vigorously. Use slow and light movements
- Brush in clockwise and anticlockwise directions
- Flossing is also helpful after teeth whitening
- Rinse your mouth properly after brushing
- Use lukewarm water for rinsing
- Optionally, you may use a tongue cleaner to remove the whitening gel taste.
Do you brush your teeth before whitening gel?
Brush your teeth thoroughly before undergoing a teeth whitening procedure. This is useful in removing transient food colour, dirt, and plaque, allowing the teeth whitening gel to function effectively.
Brush your teeth 30 minutes before undergoing any teeth whitening procedure. Brushing right before using the whitening strips may make your gums more vulnerable to the whitening chemicals.
Can I swallow saliva with whitening strips?
Whitening strips take several minutes to work. We usually swallow our saliva at that time, and that is safe.
The gel of the strips is made with hydrogen peroxide, which dissolves into water and oxygen when swallowed. Therefore, gulping a small amount of gel is not harmful to us.
However, it is not recommended to swallow a large amount of whitening gel, as this may induce nausea and stomach distress. If you mistakenly did so, drink plenty of water to let the chemical fully dissolve in your stomach.
Moreover, suppose you experience dry mouth or dehydration while using whitening strips. In that case, it is best to drink plenty of water early.
How much time do whitening strips take to result?
Whitening strips generally show their result within a few days. More specifically, the maximum time for the output can be around two weeks.
However, the whitening result depends individually on the type of strips used.
Always check the instructions before use. The more carefully you apply the whitening strips, the better and faster the results will be.
The Bottom Line
Rinsing your mouth is always a good habit. It helps remove recently stuck food substances.
And if you have just used the teeth whitening strips, you can use them without concern. It helps remove the chemical gel usually stuck to the teeth after removing strips.
However, it is advised to rinse your teeth for at least 30 minutes after removing the strips.
You should also clean your teeth after 30 minutes of using the whitening strips.
Keeping these fundamental factors in mind might help you achieve the best whitening outcomes and a clean, whiter smile at home.