Use whitening strips before after brushing
Use whitening strips on clean teeth according to their label, but avoid brushing immediately beforehand if brushing makes your gums tender.
The short answer
Use whitening strips on clean teeth according to their label, but avoid brushing immediately beforehand if brushing makes your gums tender. Whitening strips are thin plastic carriers coated with a peroxide gel that contacts the front surfaces of teeth.
How do whitening strips contact the teeth?
Whitening strips are thin plastic carriers coated with a peroxide gel that contacts the front surfaces of teeth. Brush at your usual time with a soft brush, then let saliva and any gum irritation settle before applying a strip. Keep gel off the gum margin, follow the stated wear time, and do not sleep in strips unless the product specifically directs it.
What should you do before applying a whitening strip?
Brush at your usual time with a soft brush, then let saliva and any gum irritation settle before applying a strip. Keep gel off the gum margin, follow the stated wear time, and do not sleep in strips unless the product specifically directs it. Ask whether the product fits your teeth, whether existing fillings or crowns will match afterward, and how to manage sensitivity or uneven discoloration.
When should a dentist check your teeth before whitening?
See a dentist before using strips if you have cavities, cracks, gum disease, exposed roots, or unexplained sensitivity. Remove the strips and seek advice if burning, ulceration, or significant tooth pain occurs.
What should you ask about safe whitening strip use?
Ask whether the product fits your teeth, whether existing fillings or crowns will match afterward, and how to manage sensitivity or uneven discoloration.
Frequently asked questions
Should I brush after removing strips?
Rinse away remaining gel and return to your normal gentle brushing routine rather than scrubbing the teeth.
Can strips whiten fillings?
No. Composite fillings and ceramic restorations keep their existing shade while natural enamel changes.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.