How To Use BURST Whitening Strips Properly

Who knew that there could be a wrong way to whiten your teeth? When I went to use Burst teeth whitening strips for a touch-up, I took a moment to read the directions and saw that I had previously used them incorrectly! I was wondering if you should you brush your teeth after whitening and the answer is, Yes!

To get the most out of your teeth whitening strips system, you need to use them exactly as directed. Every brand is different. Get Burst Whitening Strips here. 

How To Properly Use Teeth Whitening Strips

1) Don't Brush. Floss Instead!

I figured brushing your teeth before whitening was best since it lets the gel set directly on your teeth. Nope! Because toothpaste has fluoride in it, it can actually block out some of the ingredients from teeth whitening strips. So, don’t brush. But…definitely floss your teeth to physically remove the plaque on the sides of your teeth and close to the gumlines. After all, these tend to be some of the first places to get plaque buildup anyway!

If you just ate or something, you could use a clean, dry toothbrush with tap water (but no toothpaste) to remove any food debris or plaque buildup. Otherwise, don’t brush at all. Try to work your whitening into a different time of the day instead of right after a meal.

My Burst whitening strips are coconut flavor, so I like to use BURST floss just to keep it consistent!

2) Place On Dry Teeth

Don’t put your strips on yet. First, dry your teeth off really well. This step will help your strips stick better so that they don’t slip around.  Some people prefer to dry their teeth off with a clean washcloth. For me, I prefer breathing in through my mouth a few times to let them air dry. Now it’s time. Open one package of BURST Coconut whitening strips. There’s a longer, larger strip for your top teeth and a shorter, smaller strip for the lower ones. Pull the strip off of the plastic sheet, and fold it over your teeth, using your fingers to make sure it’s conformed to all of the surfaces. 

3) Wear Them 10-15 Minutes

One of the reasons why I like Burst whitening strips is because you only have to wear them for 10-15 minutes (other brands like Crest might be 30-60 minutes.) Since you’re not supposed to talk, eat, or drink, 10-15 minutes is way more manageable! That’s hardly long enough to go load the dishwasher, pack your lunch, or iron the outfit you have set out for the day.

When your time is up, take the strips off! Note: this part tends to be a little messy because of your saliva mixed with everything else going on, so maybe take them off over the sink. Also, be careful not to let the gel drop onto your shirt or a favorite bath towel, as the peroxide could bleach the material.

4) Brush Your Teeth After Whitening Strips

Now that your strips are off, you need to brush and clean away any of the leftover gel. When you’re using any brand of teeth whitening strips, sensitive teeth tend to be one of the most common side effects. To prevent tooth sensitivity, I recommend using sensitivity toothpaste for preventative purposes (since my floss and the Burst strips are coconut flavored, I like to use Hello Sensitivity coconut toothpaste.

You may want to start using sensitivity toothpaste for about two weeks before you get into any whitening routine. Then of course during and afterwards for a couple of more weeks.

5) Repeat!

Home-based teeth whitening is something that takes several days to get the full results. The Burst system has enough strips to whiten your teeth for a week (seven days total, with 14 strips in all.) Use one set of strips per day. Most people tend to touch up their whitening after each dental checkup, or more often if you’re a heavy coffee or tea drinker (we won’t tell!)

Now You’re A Whitening Pro!

Whitening your teeth at home is easy, especially with a strip system that you can shape over your smile. Kits like Burst have everything you need for a full week of whitening. Always follow the directions! For consistent results, apply the strips to dry teeth (they’ll stick better) and wear them for 10-15 minutes.

Remember to shape the strips around the curves of your teeth. Don’t brush until after you take the strips off. When using teeth whitening strips, sensitive teeth are common. Use a sensitivity toothpaste for preventative purposes.

Want to learn more about other types of teeth whitening options available? Check out this video!