What to Do If You Left Your Teeth Whitening Strips on Too Long (2024)

FAQs

What to Do If You Left Your Teeth Whitening Strips on Too Long? ›

If you've accidentally left your whitening strips on longer than recommended, the first step is to remove them gently. Rinse your mouth with water, and monitor for any increased sensitivity or irritation. If discomfort persists, consult your dentist.

Overextending the application time can lead to increased tooth sensitivity without delivering significant additional benefits. The recommended duration is typically mentioned in the product instructions, but it's essential to understand the factors that influence this timeframe.

While Carbamide peroxide itself can break down stains on the enamel, the byproducts of this ingredient can cause irritation and sensitivity on root surfaces. When left for too long on the teeth, these side effects can be increased.

Moreover, wearing whitening strips for prolonged periods, such as overnight, increases the likelihood of gum irritation and even tooth damage. The peroxide may cause demineralization and erosion if used excessively. Therefore, it's crucial to adhere to the recommended usage times provided by the manufacturer.

The level of whitening obtained depends on the bleaching agent's concentration in the gel and how often you use the strips. Results can last for several months, but over time, factors like diet and oral hygiene may cause teeth to regain some of their original color gradually.

For example, whitening strips that contain the ingredient chlorine dioxide can absolutely destroy tooth enamel and cause more harm than good. Once tooth enamel is worn down, it can't be restored. This may result in an increased risk of decay and other problems.

Also, if you have poor oral health or an underlying medical condition that affects the teeth, the teeth whitening procedure may make the teeth yellow. This is because the dentin has a yellowish hue under the enamel. So, when the enamel thins, your teeth become translucent and may look yellow.

Although strips are safe to use in moderation, overdoing it can cause sensitivity and even permanent damage to your teeth. If the layer of enamel is eroded through excessive application of whitening agent, you will not only suffer pains, but risk decay and other problems which in the worst case could end in tooth loss.

Teeth whitening strips should be applied to the teeth on a daily basis. Do not skip a day! Continue to apply your teeth whitening strips across the entire period of time noted in the instructions. In most cases, teeth whitening strips are meant to be applied every day for at least two full weeks.

Why do Crest White Strips hurt my teeth so bad? ›

Teeth sensitivity happens because the tooth enamel becomes thinner and less protective after the whitening process. To reduce teeth sensitivity while using whitening strips, you must use a desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash. You will also need to avoid acidic foods with high sugar content.

As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can help with tooth sensitivity after whitening, so feel free to take these drugs as directed by the label to help with sensitivity.

You can skip or miss a couple of applications without affecting your whitening benefit.

Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips? The answer is yes – brushing your teeth after using teeth whitening strips is an essential part of the process. Brushing teeth after using teeth whitening strips helps to remove any excess whitening agent and also helps to reduce teeth sensitivity.

To get the best results, you must use your teeth whitening strips daily, however, using them more often or for a longer period of time than specified in the instructions can ultimately result in erosion of your teeth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity and other damage.

You may wear your trays overnight if you have no sensitivities with 4 hours. General manufacturers recommended wearing times are: For Carbamide Peroxide Bleaching Gels (Pola Night): 10% Carbamide Peroxide (3.6% Hydrogen Peroxide) = use 1 x 2hours/day to overnight, while sleeping, if no sensitivity arises.