Whitening strips have become a popular way to whiten teeth at home. They are convenient, easy to use, and can produce good results in a relatively short period of time. However, many people wonder if it’s okay to eat immediately after using whitening strips, or if they need to wait a while before consuming food and drinks.
Can you eat after using whitening strips?
The short answer is yes, you can eat and drink after using whitening strips. However, it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before consuming anything. Here’s why:
- Whitening strips contain peroxide-based whitening gel that needs time to be fully absorbed into the enamel.
- Eating or drinking too soon can wash away some of the gel and reduce effectiveness.
- Food and drinks, especially dark-colored ones, can cause staining right after whitening.
Waiting 30-60 minutes allows the active whitening ingredients to fully penetrate the teeth and lets saliva help rinse away residual gel. This helps optimize results.
How long should you wait before eating after whitening strips?
Most dentists and experts recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after using whitening strips before consuming anything. Here are some more specific timelines:
- 30 minutes: Wait at least 30 minutes before having water, clear beverages, or very light snacks.
- 1 hour: Wait 1 full hour before having heavier meals, dark-colored foods and drinks.
- 2 hours: Waiting 2 hours is ideal, as this gives the whitening gel the most time to fully set.
- Overnight: For maximum results, apply whitening strips before bed and wait until morning to eat or drink.
Following these guidelines allows the peroxide gel to penetrate and lifts stains from the teeth without interference from food and drinks. The longer you can refrain from eating and drinking after whitening, the better the results will be.
What happens if you eat or drink right after using strips?
While it won’t harm you, consuming food and drinks too soon after whitening strips can reduce their effectiveness. Here’s why:
- Food residue left on teeth can stain them again quickly after whitening.
- Dark pigments from foods/drinks can be absorbed into enamel before peroxide gel is set.
- Acids from food and drinks weaken enamel, making it stain more easily.
- Beverages wash away gel that needs time to lift stains.
This doesn’t mean you have to go hungry or thirsty for hours after whitening. Just take precautions like rinsing with water, choosing light snacks and clear beverages, and avoiding dark staining foods for at least 30-60 minutes. This prevents undoing the work of the whitening strips.
What foods should you avoid after using whitening strips?
Here are some foods and drinks to avoid in the first 1-2 hours after using whitening strips:
- Coffee: The dark pigments can restain teeth.
- Red wine: Strongly colored and acidic, causing stains.
- Tomato sauce: Acidic with staining potential.
- Dark berries: Pigments may stain newly whitened teeth.
- Soy sauce: Salty and acidic, prone to restaining.
- Cola: Dark, acidic soda that can restain fast.
Lighter snacks like bananas, white bread, crackers, plain yogurt, cheese, milk, and water are better choices immediately after whitening. Avoid anything that could possibly stain until the peroxide gel is fully set.
Tips for eating after using whitening strips
Here are some tips to follow when eating and drinking after using whitening strips:
- Rinse mouth thoroughly with water after whitening.
- Avoid dark foods and beverages for 1-2 hours.
- Choose light, bland foods less likely to stain.
- Use a straw to prevent food/drink contacting teeth.
- Chew on back teeth rather than front teeth.
- Swish water after eating to rinse away food residue.
- Brush gently no sooner than 30 minutes after whitening.
Taking these precautions will help preserve the results of your whitening session. With some care, you can still eat comfortably without erasing the whitening effects.
Can you drink coffee after using whitening strips?
Drinking coffee immediately after using whitening strips is not recommended. Coffee is very staining, as it contains dark pigments that can penetrate the enamel and dentin. Waiting at least an hour after whitening allows the peroxide gel to fully set so teeth are less prone to restaining.
If you must drink coffee soon after whitening, try these tips:
- Use a straw to bypass teeth with the coffee.
- Add milk to coffee, which helps block some staining.
- Rinse mouth with water immediately after drinking coffee.
- Wait as long as possible before consuming coffee.
While a cup of coffee won’t completely reverse the whitening process, it’s best to wait 60-90 minutes or more before drinking coffee to get the full effects from the whitening strips.
Can you drink water after whitening strips?
Drinking plain water after using whitening strips is fine. Water will help rinse away residual gel and buffer acids that weaken enamel. There are just a couple precautions with drinking water after whitening:
- Wait at least 30 minutes to give the whitening gel time to set.
- Avoid extremely cold water, which can shock teeth.
- Don’t drink dark juices, teas, or other beverages for 1-2 hours.
- Swish water around teeth to help wash away food debris.
Drinking water immediately after eating will help prevent stains from setting into the enamel. Water also stimulates saliva flow, which neutralizes mouth acids that can damage freshly whitened teeth.
Can you brush your teeth after whitening strips?
Yes, you can brush your teeth after using whitening strips. However, it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes to allow the gel to fully penetrate the teeth first.
Brushing too vigorously or too soon after whitening can damage enamel softened by the peroxide gel. When you do brush, use gentle motions and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Unless advised otherwise by your dentist, stick to your normal twice-daily brushing routine. Just be extra gentle on those first few brushes after whitening strips to avoid sensitivity or damage to whitened teeth.
Can you use mouthwash after whitening strips?
Using mouthwash immediately after whitening strips is not recommended. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol and other antimicrobial ingredients that could irritate soft, whitened teeth.
For the first few hours after whitening, it’s best to avoid any oral care products beyond gentle brushing. After a day or two, you can resume using mouthwash as normal.
If you want to freshen breath after whitening, swish with plain water or chew sugar-free gum. Wait to use mouthwash until the next day when teeth are no longer sensitive from the peroxide gel.
How long do you have to wait to eat after using whitening strips?
Here’s a quick summary of how long you should wait before eating after using whitening strips:
- 30 minutes: Wait at least 30 minutes before having anything other than water.
- 1 hour: Hold off on heavier foods/drinks for 1 hour. Light snacks are okay.
- 2 hours: Waiting 2 full hours is optimal for the whitening gel to fully set.
- Overnight: Applying strips before bed yields best results. Don’t eat until morning.
You don’t need to go hungry or avoid all food/drink for half a day. But following these timelines will prevent stains and let the whitening ingredients work most effectively after use.
Can you drink alcohol after using whitening strips?
It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol soon after using whitening strips. Here’s why:
- Alcohol dehydrates the mouth, causing dryness that can irritate sensitive teeth.
- Darker alcohols like red wine can stain teeth quickly after whitening.
- Sugary mixers like juice or soda also have staining potential.
- Acids in alcohol soften enamel, making teeth stain more easily.
If you do consume alcohol after whitening, limit intake and avoid dark varieties like red wine. Rinse with water afterwards. Wait at least an hour after whitening to drink alcohol for best results.
Does eating or drinking impact how well whitening strips work?
Yes, eating and drinking too soon after using whitening strips can reduce their effectiveness. Food residue and stains from beverages can diminish results if teeth aren’t given time to fully absorb the whitening gel.
However, this impact is temporary. Once you complete the full whitening strip regimen over a few days, the overall lightening effect remains intact. Just avoid heavy staining for the first 1-2 hours after each session.
As long as you briefly postpone eating/drinking after each use, whitening strips will whiten teeth effectively. Be patient and let the gel set fully before consuming foods and beverages.
Should you brush your teeth before or after whitening strips?
It’s best to brush your teeth before applying whitening strips. Brushing cleans the surface so the bleaching gel can penetrate better for maximum effect.
However, avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes after using strips, as the peroxide makes teeth sensitive. Let the gel set before brushing to prevent damaging enamel.
Here are some tips for optimal brushing with whitening strips:
- Brush thoroughly before applying strips at night.
- Don’t brush again until the morning after whitening.
- Use a soft brush and gentle motions when you do brush.
- Avoid abrasive toothpastes, which may scratch softened enamel.
Proper brushing before and after whitening is important for the best results and healthiest teeth.
Can you use other oral care products after whitening strips?
It’s best to avoid most other oral care products like mouthwash or floss immediately after using whitening strips. The peroxide gel temporarily increases tooth sensitivity.
Using additional abrasive, alcohol-based, or strong-flavored products right after whitening could irritate teeth and gums. Hold off until the next day to resume other oral hygiene practices.
However, you can use protective products after whitening that help teeth remineralize. Examples include fluoride rinses, tooth mousse, or sensitivity toothpaste.
Talk to your dentist about recommended products to use in conjunction with whitening strips to strengthen and protect enamel.
Do whitening strips work if you eat or drink afterwards?
Whitening strips will still work even if you eat or drink soon afterwards. However, waiting at least 30-60 minutes allows maximum whitening:
- Food and drink residue left on teeth can stain quickly after whitening.
- Pigments may absorb into enamel before whitening gel sets.
- Beverages can rinse away gel before it finishes working.
Over the full course of strip treatment, you’ll still get noticeable whitening results even if you eat/drink in between. But waiting before consuming anything will optimize each session.
Conclusion
It’s fine to eat and drink after using whitening strips, but waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour is ideal. This allows time for the active whitening gel to fully penetrate into the teeth enamel without interference.
Be cautious the first 1-2 hours after whitening about what foods and drinks are consumed. Avoid anything likely to stain, and rinse with water after eating. With some simple precautions, you can eat comfortably after whitening strips without reducing their effectiveness.