How long should you keep teeth whitening strips on

About the author: Dr David Chen, DDS

Hello, I'm Dr Chen and I'm an actively practicing dentist in Long Island City, NY. I graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2016 but prior to going to dental school I was already working in the dental field. It's been more than a decade since I first got to know dentistry and let me tell you, time flies by quickly. Since then I've developed a fondness for writing, which is how this all got started!

Association Memberships:

  • American Dental Association

  • New York State Dental Association

  • Queens Count Dental Society

Medical Disclaimer:

This blog is purely meant for information purposes and should not be used as medical advice. Each situation in your mouth is unique and complex. It is not possible to give advice nor diagnose any oral conditions based on text nor virtual consultations. The best thing to do is to go in person to see your dentist for an examination and consultation so that you can receive the best care possible.

The purpose of all of this oral health information is to encourage you to see your dentist and to inform you of what you may expect during your visit. Due to the unfortunate nature of dentistry, there isn't really any true home remedies that will get rid of dental problems. Roughly 99.99% of them require in-person intervention by a healthcare professional.

Hint: That is the reason why you can't eliminate seeing dentists in your life!

Teeth whitening is a great way to improve the color of teeth. It is done using bleaching chemicals, like hydrogen peroxide, to whiten both the outer and inner layers of teeth. You might find yourself wondering how long you should wear your teeth whitening trays if you plan to use an at-home whitening kit safely and effectively. 

How long a patient should wear their teeth whitening trays depends on a variety of factors, such as:

  • The whitening product being used
  • How long it has been since the patient’s last whitening treatment
  • How sensitive the patient’s teeth are 
  • The concentration percentage of the whitening gel (bleach/peroxide) you are using
  • The original shade of the patient’s teeth

So how long should you leave whitening gel on your teeth? 

As a general rule, it is recommended to leave whitening gel on your teeth for 30 minutes to 1 hour for first time users and increase the wearing time if there is little or no tooth sensitivity. If your teeth are stained or very yellow, it will take longer to bleach them. Plus, if you are not experiencing any sensitivity you may wear the trays for up to 2 hours. 

It is also very important to remove all of the excess whitening gel materials around the gums after you are done, so that the leftover product doesn’t damage your teeth and gums or continue bleaching your teeth. 

Whitening teeth with Toothfairy’s custom mouth trays 

Toothfairy’s teeth whitening treatment involves using custom mouth trays that are designed using an impression of the patient’s teeth. The patient bites down on a mold and the impression is sent to a lab that makes mouth trays. This process takes about two weeks on average. 

Toothfairy™ uses the most effective concentration of whitening gel allowed to be used in Europe, attained only by a dentists prescription. It is an exclusive formula developed by Toothfairy™ and is recommended to be worn for one hour (60 minutes) per session in order to achieve the best results. 

How to make the most of your whitening 

Patients can speed up the process of whitening their teeth by:

  • Using a whitening product with a higher concentration of hydrogen carbamide and hydrogen peroxide
  • Using the maximum length of time recommended.
  • Using products recommended by dentists
  • Brushing their teeth before performing whitening treatments

While using a higher concentration of bleaching agents can lead to faster results, it also increases the odds of the person experiencing side effects, like teeth sensitivity. Although products with lower concentrations do not whiten teeth as fast as more concentrated ones do, they will eventually make the patient’s teeth just as white. Lower concentrations of bleaching agents are gentler on teeth, making them a better option for people with sensitive teeth.

Patients should also adjust the frequency of their treatment based on their comfort levels. It is an effective way to control the side effects of the procedure. People with sensitive teeth should wear their mouth tray using the lesser end of the guidelines the dentist provides. They should also do less frequent treatments.

How long should you keep teeth whitening strips on

Dr. Deepak Aulak

Dr. Deepak Aulak is a London-based dental practitioner with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Having graduated from King's College London in Dentistry, Dr. Aulak was decorated with over a dozen awards and scholarships along the way, which notably include the Jelf Medal, Malleson Prize for research and GKT Hospital's Full Shields.

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How long do you leave on teeth whitening strips?

How long should you wear the strips per application? This is likely to range from 5 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the strength of the product. Read your teeth whitening instructions closely and follow the directions for best results.

Do I brush my teeth after whitening strips?

It is safe to brush your teeth and floss after using the whitening strips. This does not reduce the whitening effects of the treatment. Manufacturers recommend doing this carefully. This will help you avoid irritation and gum discomfort.

Do whitening strips work better if you leave them longer?

Limit use to just 5 minutes a day. Longer wear time can result in tooth sensitivity. If you are looking for faster whitening results, please try Crest 1 Hour Express + LED Light, See visible results in just 1 hour.

What happens if you keep teeth whitening strips on too long?

Using teeth whitening strips too often or for too long can make the teeth porous and cause the surface enamel to break down. The bleaching agent in whitening strips can cause stress of the tooth surface and surrounding gum tissue.