In this article
Whitening strips can be an effective short term solution to discolored or stained teeth. When you consider teeth whitening strips before and after pictures, you can see the benefits.
Here, we explain what you need to do before and after whitening your teeth. We also look at the evidence behind whitening strips and look at the factors that can affect teeth whitening before and after results, before answering some FAQs.
What you need to do before and after whitening your teeth with strips
To give whitening strips the best chance of working as they should, it's helpful to perform some simple steps before and after the treatment. Here's what you need to think about:
Before
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Do your research and find whitening strips that are ADA-approved. You should also check verified reviews to see what other people make of the product before buying.
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Make sure you have enough time to use the strips. Most whitening strips need to be applied for 10-30 minutes for the best results.
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Clean your teeth thoroughly before using the strips.
After
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After removing the strips, brush your teeth after about thirty minutes. This gives enough time for the bleach to work without removing it.
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Most of the time, you need to use strips more than once to see results. If this is the case, make sure you use the strips consistently over a few days or weeks.
The evidence: Do whitening strips work?
When it comes to before and after teeth whitening strips, you can reasonably expect to see an improvement in the brightness of your teeth.
Remember, studies show that teeth whitening strips can have a positive impact on the brightness of your teeth, but they should be regarded as a short-term solution*.
*Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
The good news is that peroxide-based strips are safe and effective, but you need to be aware of the risks and use the strips correctly, following the instructions and any dental advice before, during, and after application. In other words, if you apply ADA-approved strips correctly, within a few hours or a few days, you can expect to see notable improvements in how white your teeth are.
The results will vary from person to person and will depend on numerous factors (explained below), but at the very least, you should see some improvements after using teeth whitening strips.
Factors affecting teeth whitening strips before and after
When planning for whitening strips before and after, you need to take into account various factors that are likely to affect the results that you see. For instance:
1. The level of discoloration
Naturally, one of the most important factors to consider is the level of discoloration of your teeth before using strips. If your teeth are particularly stained or discolored, you won't see incredible results overnight.
Rather, the bleach will take longer to work its magic. However, if your teeth are only slightly yellow or a light brown, you can reasonably expect to see better results in the short-term.
2. The quality of the products
Not every teeth whitening product is created equal, so you need to consider the quality of the strips that you're using. Crest whitening strips before and after tend to deliver good results, so this is worth thinking about.
You should avoid the cheapest whitening products and always check that the strips you use our ADA-approved. If you use inferior-quality whitening strips, you can't expect to see positive results.
3. Your dental hygiene
The way you look after your teeth will have a big impact on the success of whitening strips. For instance, if you use whitening strips and don't plan on brushing your teeth regularly, the results will only last for a few days.
However, if you invest in a high-quality automatic toothbrush - like the Laifen Wave - and use a whitening toothpaste, you can expect to see much better results.
Also, improving the way that you brush and look after your teeth in the long run will have a positive impact on the brightness of your teeth and will mean that you don't necessarily need to use whitening strips going forwards.
Recap: Whitening strips before and after
The results of whitening strips before and after depend on various factors. But if you use a quality product and follow the instructions, you are likely to see results. Check out our whitening strips FAQs below for more information.
FAQ
Q1: How long does it take to see results from whitening strips?
Some people see results from whitening strips in a few hours, while some people need to wait a few days. The quality of the product you use will influence how quickly you see results.
Q2: Should I brush my teeth before and after whitening strips?
We recommend brushing your teeth before using whitening strips. Then, wait at least 30 minutes until brushing your teeth after whitening to let the bleach work properly.
Q3: Do whitening strips work permanently?
Not usually. Whitening strips are best seen as a short-term solution. If you want to achieve much whiter teeth in the long term, book an appointment with your dentist and improve your long-term dental hygiene.
Q4: What not to do after using whitening strips?
You should avoid brushing your teeth too soon after using whitening strips. Also, avoid alcohol and tobacco immediately after using the strips, as these things can have a negative impact on the bleach.
