Using teeth whitening strips can temporarily increase tooth sensitivity and irritation in the mouth. This means it’s best to avoid consuming foods and drinks that could further aggravate your teeth and gums in the hours immediately after whitening.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about eating after using whitening strips:
- Wait at least 60 minutes after whitening to eat or drink.
- Avoid hot, cold, acidic, or sticky foods and drinks for several hours.
- Soft, lukewarm foods are gentler on sensitive teeth.
- Rinse with water and brush gently after eating to remove debris.
- The tooth sensitivity caused by whitening strips usually goes away within 1-3 days.
What to Avoid Eating Right After Whitening
Here are some types of foods and drinks to avoid in the first 60 minutes after using whitening strips:
- Hot foods/drinks: Anything piping hot, like coffee, soup, or melted cheese, can cause pain if consumed too soon after whitening strips.
- Cold foods/drinks: Popsicles, slushies, iced drinks, and ice cream may irritate sensitive teeth.
- Acidic foods/drinks: Citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, vinegar, wine, and soda are acidic and can inflame the gums.
- Sticky/chewy foods: Candy, caramel, gum, dried fruit, and soft bread may stick to teeth and irritate the gums.
- Crunchy/hard foods: Foods like chips, nuts, popcorn, hard bread, and raw veggies require more chewing and may aggravate sensitivity.
- Spicy foods: Chile peppers and spicy sauces can burn sensitive mouths.
It’s best to rinse your mouth with water and wait 60 minutes after removing the whitening strips before consuming any food or drinks. This gives your teeth time to settle down after the whitening treatment.
What You Can Eat 60 Minutes After Whitening Strips
After waiting 60 minutes, you can try consuming soft, lukewarm foods that are gentle on sensitive teeth, such as:
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Applesauce
- Cottage cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Bananas
- Cooked pasta
- Broth-based soups
Avoid hot or cold temperatures. Allow foods and drinks to come closer to room temperature before consuming. Sip water slowly instead of drinking large amounts right away.
When Can I Resume My Normal Diet?
For most people, sensitivity from whitening strips begins improving within a few hours and largely subsides within 1-3 days. However, people with more pronounced tooth sensitivity may need to stick to soft foods for longer.
Here are some general timelines for when you can likely resume your regular eating habits after using whitening strips:
- After 3-4 hours: You can try slowly reintroducing soft, room temperature versions of the “avoid” foods listed above.
- After 24 hours: Most people’s sensitivity has improved enough to consume a normal diet, but avoid ice-cold and piping hot foods/drinks.
- After 48-72 hours: You should be able to eat and drink normally without discomfort.
Always discontinue whitening strips if you experience severe or prolonged tooth sensitivity and consult your dentist. Temporary sensitivity is normal, but extreme pain warrants medical attention.
Foods and Drinks That Help Soothe Sensitivity
Some foods and drinks may actually help calm and soothe teeth irritated by whitening strips. Here are a few options:
- Dairy: Milk, plain yogurt, and ice cream can coat and comfort sensitive teeth.
- Tea: Green tea contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation and black tea has tannins that relieve pain.
- Sugar-free gum: Chewing increases saliva flow, washing away irritants.
- Aloe vera juice: The cooling gel and anti-inflammatory properties can provide relief.
- Chocolate: Increases endorphin levels to block pain signals.
- Smoothies: Blended fruits/veggies are cooling and full of vitamins and minerals.
How to Care for Teeth After Eating
After eating anything after using whitening strips, it’s important to clean your teeth gently and thoroughly to prevent cavities, plaque buildup, and extended sensitivity:
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove food debris.
- Brush with a soft or extra soft bristle toothbrush.
- Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- Avoid abrasive brushing and harsh toothpastes.
- Floss very gently between teeth.
- Rinse with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash.
- Apply a desensitizing oral gel if needed.
This thorough but gentle oral hygiene routine can help keep your teeth and gums clean and prevent further irritation after eating.
When to Call the Dentist
Contact your dentist right away if you experience:
- Severe tooth sensitivity that lasts more than 3-4 days after discontinuing whitening strips
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Pain that worsens instead of improves
- Sensitivity accompanied by tooth or gum discoloration
- Sores, ulcers, or lesions develop in the mouth
These may be signs of a more serious dental issue and require professional treatment. Temporary sensitivity from whitening strips should fade within a few days. Seek help if the pain prevents normal eating or lingers for more than 3-4 days.
Preventing Sensitivity When Whitening
You can take proactive steps to minimize sensitivity from whitening strips:
- Use whitening strips no more than 1-2 times per year.
- Read and follow all product instructions carefully.
- Apply strips only to front teeth, not near gum lines.
- Rinse mouth thoroughly before applying strips.
- Use sensitivity-relief toothpaste for several days before and after whitening.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed prior to whitening.
- Avoid acidic and abrasive foods and brushing too hard after whitening.
- See your dentist to identify and treat causes of persistent sensitivity before whitening.
With proper oral care before, during, and after the whitening process, you can help minimize discomfort and resume normal eating as soon as possible.
Conclusion
It’s best to avoid eating or drinking for 60 minutes after removing whitening strips. Hot, cold, acidic, sticky, hard, crunchy, and spicy foods are most likely to irritate sensitive teeth. After an hour, you can try gentle, lukewarm soft foods. Within 24-48 hours, sensitivity usually subsides enough to eat normally again. Remember to rinse and brush carefully after meals. Seek dental treatment if sensitivity is severe or persists beyond 3-4 days. With some caution and temporary dietary adjustments, you can safely use whitening strips and resume normal eating once initial sensitivity resolves.
