Can I eat after whitening strips?

Can you eat after whitening strips?

Yes, after you remove them. The sources we read give no set waiting period. Healthline's page on brushing after strips says it is safe to brush and floss after using strips and that strips are typically worn for about 30 minutes once or twice a day, often for around 14 days, following the product's directions. The Leeds NHS whitening guidance, for dentist-supplied trays, likewise gives no set waiting period before eating or drinking after whitening, so use the label on your own product and ask your dentist if you are unsure.

Should you eat or drink while wearing strips?

No. Strips are designed to sit on the teeth for a set time, and eating or drinking with them in is not described as advisable in the sources we read. Remove them, rinse and wait until you are finished with the treatment time before eating. Follow the instructions in the box, which differ between products.

Which foods and drinks can stain after whitening?

Healthline's page on how long whitening lasts lists coffee, tea, red wine, grape juice and cola as common stain sources and smoking or vaping as a cause of discoloration, and advises brushing, flossing and rinsing after consuming these. Healthline's page on whitening strips suggests limiting staining foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, dark berries and soda, using a straw for staining beverages and brushing shortly after eating or drinking staining items. The Leeds NHS guidance advises avoiding strongly colored items such as curry, red wine and tomato-based foods during whitening, and the NHS says coffee, tea and red wine can stain teeth and smoking also causes staining.

What to eat after whitening

The sources we read do not describe a special diet. Pale foods such as chicken, rice, pasta, white fish and plain yogurt are less likely to stain than dark sauces, berries or curries, which follows from the stain advice above, but no source calls this a rule. Water is a safe drink.

Sensitivity after whitening strips

Healthline says sensitivity is usually mild, starts during treatment and lasts several days, and that gum irritation may begin within a day and typically lasts several days. The Leeds NHS guidance says some sensitivity is normal and usually fades a few days after you stop, to use sensitive toothpaste for brushing and avoid very cold food and drink during treatment, and, if teeth become very sensitive, to use the gel on alternate nights. Cleveland Clinic says to take a break, switch to a milder product or ask your dentist if sensitivity or gum irritation occurs.

When to brush

Healthline says brushing after strips does not reduce the whitening effect if you are gentle with a soft brush, and that if you brush before, wait at least 30 minutes before applying strips. Healthline's whitening page also suggests waiting about 30 minutes to brush after something acidic.

Making the result last

Healthline says whitening reduces stains but does not repel them, so staining drinks and tobacco can bring discoloration back, and that results from strips from superior brands can last about six months. The NHS says whitening is not permanent and, with a dentist's aftercare, the effect may last around three years for professional treatment.

Questions to ask your dentist

If you plan to use strips, ask before you start.

• Are strips suitable for my teeth, fillings and crowns?
• How should I time them with meals and brushing?
• What should I do if my teeth become sensitive?
• How long should I wait before repeating a course?
• Would professional whitening suit me better?

Frequently asked questions