When it comes to whitening your teeth at home, you would have questions—quite a few. There is the internet to turn to but you would find answers scattered everywhere and contradicting ones, at that. We have you covered. You want to use teeth whitening strips but want to know if it’s okay to get a drink or have a snack while the strips are on. We are going to answer all such queries for you.
Why Water?
Water is important for a lot of things, dental upkeep being one of them. Water hydrates and rehydrates the body, and this process keeps the body in perfect working condition. The same applies to all things dental, too. For starters, when the body is hydrated, there is an abundance of saliva in the mouth.
- As crucial as saliva is to digestion, it also ensures that you do not have a cotton mouth or dry mouth.
- Saliva is your first line of defense against tooth decay as it discourages the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
- It also washes away any food debris left over from meals and even assists in swallowing and chewing the food.
Keeping water levels up means that the mouth has saliva in plenty of supply. Drinking water throughout the day fights bad breath, too. Dehydration causes the swarming of bacteria in the mouth, and this results in bad breath. Nobody wants that.
Consuming water on its own is beneficial but if you were to add fluoride to it, you are on your way to healthy teeth. Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. Adding the mineral to water does nothing to change the taste but would make a world of difference to keep your teeth strong, white, and healthy. For best results, drink at least two glasses of fluoride water a day.
If you are undergoing professional whitening treatments, it would be wise to keep yourself hydrated. The in-office whitening agents can cause some desiccation to the tooth surface, and keeping your water levels up could speed the recovery process along. The water also helps to soothe tooth sensitivity which accompanies such treatments. The desiccation occurs as professional methods use a high dose of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide–based bleaching agents. It is the high levels of bleach that also result in whiter teeth.
- Professionals use 25-30% bleaching gel per treatment, whereas at-home treatments work at lower levels.
- The most potent of whitening products is the take-home custom trays with 10-22% bleach. However, these treatments are overseen by a dentist so it is relatively safe to use.
- A whitening toothpaste has about 10% bleach.
- While teeth whitening strips contain anywhere from 5-15% of the whitening agents. The amounts vary from one brand to the next.
You will understand in a bit why we mention these dosages.
Among all the whitening treatments, the most effective is whitening strips for a variety of reasons. The reasons for this are pretty straightforward – you don’t need to visit a dentist, you can buy them online or at any local drugstore, they are not as expensive as other treatments, and they have the most vivid results – provided that you use them as instructed.
The Basics of Using Teeth Whitening Strips
Before we launch into the dos and don’ts of using tooth whitening strips, you must first have a clear understanding of how to apply them, what to do before, and what must be done after. While the act of applying whitening strips may seem easy, there is always room for slip-ups. There are a few steps you could take so that you can whiten your teeth like an expert.
- Since your teeth are primarily used to chew food, you can bet that there is some food left behind after a meal. Brushing before applying the whitening strips is a great idea. You need not use toothpaste; a wet toothbrush should suffice.
- Strips adhere better to dry teeth. You could use a cloth or paper napkin to rub down the surface of the teeth before you actually apply the strips.
- When it comes to actually applying the strips, try to align them so that they cover as much of the tooth surface as possible. Follow the gum line to the back teeth, and you are all set.
- Each brand of whitening strips would recommend the duration the strips have to be on for – keep to it. Leaving them on for longer would not ensure more whitening, and taking them off too early would not have very good whitening results.
- Once you take the strips off, ensure that you rinse your mouth thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any product left behind by the strips.
A standard at-home treatment could last between 2 to 3 weeks. Within this whitening cycle, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that you do not damage your teeth or cause further staining. Discoloration and stains are caused by a multiplicity of reasons, but mostly because of two reasons –
1. The absence of good oral hygiene
or
2. Bad lifestyle habits.
Stains caused by tooth decay, infections, or bacterial damage are harder to remove and can be done only by professionals. This is because stains like these penetrate the deeper layers of the tooth, which cannot be removed with at-home whitening products or any amount of brushing.
Stains caused by foods and drinks. Foods that use artificial coloring or have high sugar content stains teeth after an extended period of time. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine cause stains too. Another discoloring agent is tobacco. Smoking causes yellow surface stains that are hard to remove. But can be treated with teeth whitening strips. While you whiten your teeth, it would be wise to keep staining foods off your dietary plan for the time. While treatment, your teeth are susceptible to further staining, so the more you avoid such foods, the better.
Another factor you should keep in mind is the kind of food you consume. You must ensure that you wash your mouth properly every time you eat and rinse after every drink – anything except water. Also, while you are whitening your teeth, avoid eating coarse and hard foods that would put pressure on the teeth while chewing – especially on the front teeth. Even though the whitening procedure may contain a lower concentration of bleach, nevertheless, any amount of the whitening agent can leave the teeth sensitive and slightly weak. Just to be safe, use a soft toothbrush to brush and regular toothpaste during the treatment.
Also, some brands would recommend the use of whitening toothpastes, whitening gel, and other products from the brand to improve whitening results. In more cases than not, these recommendations are marketing gimmicks and have little to do with the whitening and maintenance of your teeth. Before you use several whitening treatments at once, we would suggest that you speak to your dentist.
That being said, let’s address the query at hand – can you drink water with the strips on?
Water & Whitening Strip: Do They Mix?
Whitening strips are designed such that one side of the strip contains the peroxide gel, adhesives, and, in some cases, freshening agents. And on the other side – the surface that faces outward is just plastics. From a scientific standpoint, it is permissible to consume water while wearing the strips, as the water will easily slide off the exterior of the strips. However, there are a lot of factors in play because different brands use varying ingredients that may give rise to problems.
In truth, it would be safe to drink water while you have whitening strips on. Provided that you stick to a glass or two. Water and the adhesive ingredients used by some brands may not mix at all. When drinking water, you do run a serious risk of swallowing the strips themselves as the adhesives may wash off with the water. Most whitening strips can stay on but water may affect the quality of whitening you get as the strips may move or fall off completely.
There is also the risk of uneven whitening. Ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, or silicon bits could wash away with the water. This is a problem with natural whitening strips where bleach is avoided. Adhesive agents in natural strips are relatively weaker, which may cause the strips to move, causing uneven cleaning.
This may apply to regular bleach whitening strips, too. There is a chance that the water you drink may wash off the bleaching agents. The strips may shift and cause irritation to the gums, or they may no longer effectively cover the tooth stain you are attempting to whiten. And even if you have some water, go back and check the alignment of the strips in the mirror.
Another important consideration is the amount of bleach present in the strips themselves. It would be wise to check the bleaching agent quality and quantity in the strips you use prior to starting the treatment. Because if and when drinking water, you may also consume some degree of the bleaching agents. Manufacturers do consider this possibility, but it would be best to avoid drinking water at all if the bleaching concentrations are too high.
You must understand that drinking water while you have the strips on is not a necessity but should be done only if you are absolutely parched. The same stands true for urges to drink coffee, tea, hot beverages, and red wine. As much as you can, you should avoid drinking, eating, or smoking while you have the strips on. Simply drink and eat your fill before you apply white strips. And you should be alright.
Or you could consider using a tooth whitening treatment that is safe and sticky so that you don’t have to worry about eating the strips or bleach—a product like Nubeam Supersmile.
So, let’s find out what is the Nubeam Supersmile Teeth Whitening Kit including its safety compared to other products and its effectiveness, especially when used alongside drinking water.
Nubeam Supersmile Teeth Whitening Kit: A Hassle-Free Brighter Smile
Nubeam is a tooth whitening strip brand that can deliver professional effects of whitening within the privacy of your home and for a fraction of the cost. This dentist-recommended product uses clinically proven ingredients and methods so that you have a whiter smile, and it is also a safer way to get the results you want. Nubeam is different because instead of using hydrogen peroxide directly onto the tooth surface, it uses PVP – polyvinylpyrrolidone-hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide becomes weak when exposed to air or too much light, and this can affect its ability to remove surface stains. This is where PVP comes into play. When applied to the teeth, PVP releases hydrogen peroxide which goes to work on the teeth. In addition to the PVP, the Nubeam kit also includes the use of an LED light to further aid the whitening process. However, the use of this light is not a necessity, but it definitely helps.
The how-to’s of the product is simple enough. Apply strips to freshly brushed, clean, and dry teeth, leave the strips on for 60 minutes, use the LED light for the last 5 minutes to boost whitening, remove strips, and rinse your mouth thoroughly after the treatment. Continue the process once a day for 2 weeks, and you should see a marked difference in the shade of your teeth. Just to check progress, you are also provided with a shade card. Many users claim that they can see a difference after just the first treatment.
Drinking Water & Nubeam
As we mentioned earlier, you should drink water when the strips are on only in cases of dire need. Otherwise, the instruction to avoid drinks, food, and tobacco still stands.
The whitening strips from Nubeam Supersmile are a relatively safer option when compared to other whitening strips. The use of PVP means that there is a lower concentration of bleach comparatively. The total bleach amounts to 5%.
The PVP also helps the strips adhere to your teeth and the strips stay on. Technically, the PVP helps the strips to stay on even when you drink water or have a lot of saliva in your mouth. Most whitening strips do not take saliva into account when creating the strips, which causes the strips to move about. Nubeam makes sure that when the strips are on for 60 minutes, it works to whiten teeth regardless of the presence of water or saliva.
Other Reasons to Choose Nubeam Supersmile Teeth Whitening Strip & Kit
Apart from being able to drink water while the strips are on your teeth, Nubeam is a superior product by several standards.
- The whitening strips can not only remove surface stains present on the tooth surface but also prevent further staining of the teeth.
- The PVP acts as a shield that protects the tooth enamel while whitening and also for a while afterward. So, unlike other brands that leave the teeth exposed, sensitive, and porous, Nubeam protects the teeth.
- You get to see noticeable results even after the first use of the product. However, depending on the extent of staining present on your teeth, you should see a marked difference in the 2-week treatment.
In addition to the strips, by brushing twice a day, avoiding staining food, drink, and tobacco, and adding oral hygiene to your regular routine, you should be able to experience positive results in tooth color and health. - Nubeam is also designed to remove plaque, kill off harmful bacteria, and freshen your breath, along with giving you a white smile. All you have to do is make certain that you remove food particles prior to treatment and that you avoid staining factors for the 2-week treatment.
- Another factor is the cost. While professional cleanings could cost between $300 and $100, a pack of Nubeam strips that has 14 days supply costs $49 only, and $79 for the kit that has Strips and the LED light.
Consequently, you get the same professional results at home for a fraction of the cost.
For more details on the science and working of Nubeam Supersmile visit the link!
Summary
As easy as teeth whitening strips may seem, there are a certain number of tips you should keep in mind while using them. You must use them on clean and dry teeth, avoid staining foods for a few hours after removing the strips, and be careful of how and what you consume.
In the case of whether you can drink water while you have the strips on your teeth, the short answer is yes (as long as you are using Nubeam). However, it depends on the quality of the brands, bleaching concentration, and whether the strips have used a sturdy adhesive agent. A product we can vouch for is Nubeam Supersmile, which uses PVP for better adherence to the teeth and safer bleaching techniques.With Nubeam, you can drink water, even if you have the strips on, as the product uses only 5% hydrogen peroxide and also protects the teeth from damage.Hence, it is safe to drink water if you use Nubeam Supersmile.
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