Using whitening trays is an effective way to whiten your teeth at home. Whitening trays fit over your teeth and hold whitening gel against them to remove stains. For best results, it’s essential to properly prepare your teeth before applying the trays. So, should you brush your teeth first? Here’s what dentists recommend.
Brushing Before Whitening Helps Remove Debris
Yes, it would help if you brushed your teeth before using whitening trays. Brushing removes plaque and food debris from your teeth. This debris can get stuck under the trays and irritate your gums. Brushing ensures your teeth and gums are clean before applying the trays.
Dentists recommend brushing at least twice daily—once in the morning and once before bed. Make sure to brush for a full two minutes, hitting all surfaces of your teeth. Pay extra attention to the front surfaces since these are what show when you smile.
Brushing before whitening also helps the whitening gel work better. By removing plaque, there is less between your teeth for the gel to penetrate. This allows the active ingredients to reach better and whiten the tooth’s surface.
Use a Soft Bristle Toothbrush
When brushing before whitening, use a soft bristle toothbrush. Hard-bristled brushes can wear down enamel over time. Enamel is the protective outer layer of your teeth. Damaged enamel is more prone to cavities and sensitivity.
Soft brushes are gentle on enamel while still being effective at plaque removal. Look for ” soft ” toothbrushes from Oral-B, Colgate, or Sensodyne. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months when the bristles appear frayed.
Don’t brush too aggressively, either. Let the brush do the work—you only need light pressure. Aggressive brushing can also damage enamel and cause gum recession over time.
Brush With a Whitening Toothpaste
For maximum brightening, use a toothpaste designed for whitening while brushing before applying your trays. Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that safely remove surface stains from teeth.
Types of whitening toothpaste include
Baking soda toothpaste – Use baking soda as a gentle abrasive to remove discolouration.
Blue covariance toothpaste – Blue dye gives the illusion of whiter teeth. Does not change color.
Peroxide toothpaste – Contains low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to lift stains.
Look for brands like Crest 3D White, Colgate Optic White, or Arm & Hammer Advance White. Use whitening toothpaste daily for gradual whitening over time. When combined with the trays, you’ll notice even better results.
Don’t Rinse With Water After Brushing
Here’s an important tip: don’t rinse your mouth after brushing before whitening and rinsing washes away the toothpaste. This toothpaste helps prep your teeth for the gel and contains ingredients that enhance whitening.
Spit out excess toothpaste, but leave the remainder on your teeth. Immediately apply the trays so the toothpaste and gel can interact with your teeth. Rinsing also washes away saliva. Saliva helps protect your mouth during whitening treatments.
If you must rinse your mouth before whitening due to toothpaste irritation, use plain water only. Mouthwash contains alcohol that dries your mouth out. A dry mouth is more prone to sensitivity from the trays.
Brush Gently Around Whitening Trays
Take care when brushing around whitening trays. The trays are snug against your teeth, and brushing too hard can dislodge them. The gel can leak and irritate your gums if a tray comes loose.
Use a very soft bristle brush and gentle motions. Focus on brushing areas not covered by the trays, like your tongue, roof of mouth, and around the trays. Avoid scrubbing where the trays sit.
When brushing your exposed teeth, angle the brush bristles under the edge of the tray to clean near the gums. Don’t jab the brush straight into the tray. Remove trays first if you need to brush harder.
Whitening gel can dry between the tray and your teeth. You can gently slide floss between them to dislodge any hardened gel. Just be very careful not to tug on the trays. Removing all residue keeps your mouth healthy during the whitening process.
Whitening Toothpaste Can Increase Sensitivity
Whitening toothpastes help remove stains, but some ingredients may cause tooth sensitivity issues. This is especially true if you already experience sensitivity. The abrasives and peroxides can further irritate nerves in your teeth.
If your teeth are sensitive, use a desensitizing toothpaste before whitening. These toothpastes contain ingredients like potassium nitrate to calm nerve pain. Use them in place of whitening pastes to reduce discomfort under the trays.
You can alternate between the two types of toothpaste. Use desensitizing toothpaste 1-2 times daily and whitening one the other time. Ask your dentist if you need a prescription-strength toothpaste to manage the sensitivity.
Brush Carefully If You Have Braces
You can still use whitening trays if you have braces, but take care when brushing. The trays are custom-made to fit around braces to whiten stained teeth. Remove any food debris so it doesn’t get stuck under the trays.
Use a specialized orthodontic toothbrush that fits under wires and into brackets. Brush each bracket thoroughly. Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent white spots from forming around braces as you whiten.
Don’t apply too much pressure, and avoid electric toothbrushes. This can damage the cement holding your braces on. Alert your orthodontist if the trays feel too tight against your braces.
Brush Other Oral Appliances Too
If you wear dental appliances like dentures, retainers, or mouthguards, brush them before whitening. Use a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean all surfaces gently.
This prevents food and bacteria buildup, which can transfer to your teeth when reinserting. Brushing appliances also removes stains so they match your whiter teeth.
Rinse appliances thoroughly after brushing and let air dry. Damp appliances can harbour mould and bacteria. Ensure they fit snugly after brushing so the trays fit correctly over them.
Proper Brushing Maximizes Whitening Results
Brushing your teeth before applying whitening trays is a vital prep step. It removes debris, plaque, and stains so the gel can work directly on your teeth’ enamel. Use a soft brush and whitening toothpaste to enhance the brightening effects.
Proper brushing protects your mouth, prevents irritation, and minimizes sensitivity issues. Follow these tips for ideal results from at-home whitening kits. Check with your dentist to ensure whitening is safe for your teeth.
With proper oral care, whitening trays can give you a brighter, more confident smile. Maintaining that smile means continuing good brushing and whitening habits after treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long should I brush my teeth before whitening?
Aim for two minutes of thorough brushing to clean all tooth surfaces before whitening. Make sure to brush your tongue, gums and roof of your mouth, too.
2. What if I forget to brush before applying trays?
It’s better to brush if you forgot, even if briefly, rather than not at all. At a minimum, rinse your mouth well with water before whitening. Then remember to brush next time.
3. Can I eat or drink before whitening trays?
Avoid eating and drinking coloured foods/beverages for 60 minutes before whitening to prevent discolouration of trays. Hydrate with plain water instead.
4. Is whitening safe if I have fillings or dental work?
Usually, yes, but the whitening gel may not lighten bonded materials. Discuss any dental work with your dentist before whitening to ensure safety.
5. How often can I repeat whitening treatments?
Most dentists recommend limiting whitening sessions to 1-2 times per year. Frequent whitening can damage enamel over time. Ask your dentist what’s appropriate for your teeth.
A Blogger, Author and Researcher! Gohar Aalam is recognized as a full-time blogger for Health and Tech Niches. I’m a Fountainhead of Healthservicehome.com, will provides high quality knowledge.
