Once you have committed to a teeth whitening treatment, one’s wish is to have the results of the procedure last as long as possible, regardless of whether you get a professional cleaning at the dentist or if you use at-home whitening products, such as a whitening toothpaste or whitening strips. The whole point of embarking on the whitening journey is that you would like to smile without being self-conscious. However, once you have newly whitened teeth, care must be taken so that you do not re-stain your pearly whites. A key factor in this is the foods and beverages you consume. When using teeth whitening strips, several questions arise: Should you wait before eating? How long should you wait? What can or can’t you eat? Can anything undo the whitening process? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are not available in one place until now. Here, in this guide, you will be able to find out the answers to all queries when it comes to teeth whitening strips and eating.
Of all the whitening products available in the market – the most effective, easy, and affordable whitening agent was found to the teeth whitening strip. Most whitening strips work on the same principle, and what’s best is that they let you get on with other things while whitening teeth; you are not restricted to a dentist’s chair, nor do you have to keep brushing continuously. This is probably what makes the strips excessively popular. They are easy to use and work (to a certain extent) to whiten teeth. However, like every other whitening procedure, there are certain measures that you must take to ensure that the strips work and work well. These measures range from the application of the strips (for even results and to avoid gum irritation) to what you eat. Any teeth whitening product will fail if you are not careful. Following are a few things you could keep in mind to help keep your teeth whiter than before.
What to Do Before Applying Whitening Strips?
The use of whitening strips is prevalent because it is formulated to fit your convenience. You are free to use the white strips at any time of the day as long as you use them every day for 2 to 3 weeks (depending on the brand you choose). Not many brands mention this, but it is advisable that you brush your teeth prior to the application of the strips. This is to ensure that there are no food particles lodged between the teeth that could cause uneven whitening results.
You could use toothpaste, but you must ensure that you do not use fluoride toothpaste, as this could nullify the effects of the whitening agents used in the strips. It is best that you simply brush with a wet toothbrush with soft bristles. Ensure that you rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing, as this cleans out the pores of the teeth, which bolsters the whitening effect.
Floss if you have had a meal recently, but avoid the use of mouthwashes right before using the strips. The strips contain a whitening gel, which is usually flavored, so your breath should be fine after use.
Applying the Teeth Strips
Regardless of which teeth whitening strips you choose, they all claim to provide noticeable results in a matter of weeks. Some can, most can’t. The better brands provide you with some form of coaching. Read the instructions carefully, as each brand could have slightly varying products and procedures.
Putting on teeth whitening strips requires some level of dexterity. Apply the strips with precision to avoid uneven whitening. Please ensure that you take your time during the application process, as the areas of the teeth that remain exposed will become noticeable once the treatment is finished.
Tooth whitening products usually state a time frame – how long the strips have to be left on. Ensure that you adhere to this. The main whitening ingredient in the strips is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These bleaching agents are included in safe doses, but excessive exposure could hurt the gum line, which could result in gum irritation or gum disease. Also, leaving the strips on for longer than suggested could cause damage to the tooth enamel.
Also, if at any point you experience tooth sensitivity, stop use immediately. This means that the whitening gel in the strip is too harsh or that you have sensitive teeth that do not take well to whitening procedures. It would be best to visit a dentist instead.
Once you have the strips on, you can do whatever it is you please – the laundry, get dinner on or finish a report. Only it is advised that you keep speaking to a minimum, as moving your mouth could shift the position of the strips.
What to Do After Removing the Strips?
It is normal if you experience some degree of tooth sensitivity after you have used the teeth whitening strips. This is a result of the peroxide penetrating through the enamel to bleach the teeth. This irritates the nerves, resulting in sensitive teeth. The condition is temporary, though, and you should feel like your old self in no time.
Since the strips smear whitening gel over your teeth, it is important that you rinse thoroughly once you have taken the strips off. A few mouthfuls of cold water should do the trick. After the strips, we, as experts, would also suggest that you do not use a whitening toothpaste or rinse to boost results. This could cause enamel damage or gum irritation.
There are quite a few guidelines when it comes to food. Let’s look at them now.
Eating After the Strip Treatment
This is possibly the most discussed factor about teeth whitening strips. Probably because, once you have been able to whiten teeth, the last thing you want to do is stain them again. Whether you used the strips or went to get your teeth professionally cleaned and lightened, you wish for the results to last as long as possible. Here are a few things you could do.
- The consensus is that you should not eat for at least an hour after your teeth have been bleached. This is to ensure that you do not accidentally swallow any residual bleach on your teeth and also to allow your teeth to recover from the procedure.
- Once the hour is up, you could eat gentle foods like yogurt, scrambled eggs, soft fruits, cooked vegetables, oatmeal, rice, or soup.
- You would have to use the teeth whitening strips every day for at least 14 days. During this time, avoid certain foods that are sticky, abrasive, or tough altogether. The strips contain agents that could weaken the teeth temporarily, and eating such foods could physically damage your teeth.
- Eating foods like chicken, tofu, fruits, and vegetables and drinking plenty of water should keep you sated, and at least for 48 hours after finishing the whitening procedure, stick to these foods.
Extrinsic stains that appear on teeth are the cumulative effect of staining foods and beverages like tomatoes, foods with artificial coloring, red wine, balsamic vinegar, coffee, tea, or dark-colored beverages. They stain teeth by leaving a residue on the tooth surface, which, over time, becomes visible.
At-home teeth whitening products are designed to remove surface stains, and they do so by using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, or baking soda. The teeth whitening process often leaves the tooth enamel porous, leaving the underlying dentin layer exposed. The exposure will close over time, so while that is happening, it is vital that you care for your teeth in the meantime. This is why eating anything for the first hour is advised against. Most foods have to be chewed, and since teeth would be weaker, eating anything could lead to breakage or further staining.
When the dentin layer is exposed, the risk of staining is a lot higher than before. Avoid all staining foods and beverages to keep this from happening, at least for the duration of the whitening process. Also, you must keep in mind that the use of whitening strips is not as effective as a professional sitting with the dentist. If you eat immediately after each teeth whitening strip session, there is a chance that you nullify the effects of the strips, as foods would stain the teeth almost immediately.
Oral Hygiene & Caring for Whitened Teeth
As we mentioned earlier, it is vital that you rinse your teeth immediately after removing the strips. In addition to that, upping your oral hygiene game would also help the whitening results to last longer.
Brushing your teeth regularly twice a day can help loads. The brushing would help keep your teeth clean, freshen your breath, and wash away any residue of staining foods on your teeth. Good oral hygiene would also entail that you floss regularly and that you do not eat or drink anything right before you go to bed for the day. These habits keep dental problems at bay and would also keep your bright smile safe.
Avoid smoking as much as you can. Tobacco stains teeth the most, and if you wish for your teeth to stay whiter for longer, reduce smoking. You could use this as an opportunity to quit or reduce your intake.
Keep a check on your eating and drinking habits, too. Avoid eating or drinking sugar-rich consumables. Your teeth are vulnerable right after the whitening procedure. Sugary foods encourage the activity of harmful bacteria in the mouth that feed on the sugar and release acids. These acids damage the tooth enamel and result not only in surface stains but also cavities and other dental issues.
In the event that brushing your teeth after every meal is not feasible, make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal to prevent the accumulation of food particles.
Speak to your dentist about using whitening rinses or toothpastes, in addition to the use of whitening strips. A lot would depend on the concentration of the bleaching agents in whitening strips. You would not want to over-expose your teeth to whitening ingredients as they do have corrosive properties.
A Summary
If you do plan on or are using teeth whitening strips, you must read the instructions carefully so that you know you are using the product properly. While the application of the strips is important, it is also equally vital that you care for your teeth after the removal of the strips. It is also imperative that you pay special attention to the foods that you consume after the process. Waiting at least an hour before eating and consuming soft foods that are not staining is vital to prevent staining and keep your white smile intact.
For the duration of the whitening procedure, it is strongly advised that you avoid smoking, eating, or drinking too much sugar and stay away from red wine, tea, coffee, or foods that contain artificial coloring. This would help the results of the whitening procedure to last longer and would also yield better results.
What We Recommend?
Before we go further, you must know that whitening strips only work on natural teeth and not on veneers or crowns. This is also true for whitening toothpastes, rinses, and gels. If you do have any dental fittings and you wish to have a whitening done, a dentist would be able to help you. At-home whitening options do not work for artificial fittings.
Of all the whitening options available, teeth whitening strips are the most popular. The strips come pre-prepared for application, leave you free to do what you please while you have them on, and can actually whiten your teeth. If you are looking for teeth whitening strips, allow us to introduce Nubeam Supersmile Teeth Whitening Strips.
This product is designed to be an enamel-safe formula that works on tough stains. With 60-minute applications for two weeks, you will not only have whiter teeth but also results that last longer than any other at-home whitening product. The strips include the use of Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVP K90), which help the strips adhere to the teeth. The use of ethanol ensures that germs are killed off, and glycerin helps the gel rinse off more easily. The methanol helps to freshen your breath while you whiten your teeth.
To access additional details, please click on the Official Link to the Nubeam website and take advantage of the available promotions and deals. The teeth whitening strip kit would cost you $49.
Additionally, Nubeam also includes an LED light-boosting device that boosts the effect of the whitening strips. The kit with the light would cost you $79. Nubeam is also one of the few whitening products that offers a return guarantee on your purchase.
If you are looking for an easy, convenient, and effective at-home teeth whitening option, Nubeam is what we would recommend.
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