I recently had my braces removed and after the initial excitement of having a pretty smile, I wanted to figure out how to whiten teeth at home after braces.
I know there are many options for teeth whitening, but there are a few things I need from a teeth-whitening regimen:
- Effective Results
- Safe for Sensitive Teeth
- Convenience
- Budget –friendly
Enter: Colgate’s Optic White collection.
I’ve always been a fan of Colgate products and before starting my whitening routine I used their Total Mint Strip toothpaste with one of their regular toothbrushes. I liked those products, but I wanted to use something stronger to remove stains that I had from my braces.
Colgate’s Optic White collection, promises a brighter, whiter smile that is convenient and affordable. By using the Colgate Optic White products and a few of my own tricks, I was able to whiten my teeth in just one week!
Here are the steps I followed to achieve my results.
How to Whiten Teeth at Home After Braces
Brush with a Whitening Toothpaste (Colgate Optic White Platinum Express White Tooth Paste)- I brushed my teeth 2x a day using this toothpaste for 5 minutes each time. The Platinum Express White toothpaste contains 2x more hydrogen peroxide than the sparking mint toothpaste that I was using before, so it was able to work more effectively. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe way to lift stains and whiten teeth, while being safe for daily use. It also helps to protect the enamel of teeth and contains anti-cavity fluoride protection.
I really like the fresh minty taste of this toothpaste and the smooth taste it leaves behind. It also doesn’t make my teeth feel sensitive when I use it, which a good thing.
Use a brush designed for teeth whitening (Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen)- I have to start off by saying that this toothbrush is a GENUIS idea. The bristles of this toothbrush are designed with stain removers and polishing bristles to help remove surface stains. It works like any toothbrush, but provides better results than your average toothbrush. Believe it or not, the best part isn’t the brush its self– It’s the built-in whitening pen. I’ll talk more about it after the next step in my teeth whitening routine.
Use a Whitening Mouthwash (Colgate Optic White WhiteSeal Mouthwash)- I’ll be honest with you, I’m not a fan of many mouthwashes because they always burn while I rinse. I was skeptical at first about using the WhiteSeal Mouthwash, but I’m happy to announce that I didn’t burn at all.
I rinsed my mouth for 1 minute each time I brushed my teeth, making sure to swish the product in my mouth. This mouthwash not only protects against future stains, but it also kills bad-breath germs. The best part is the icy fresh mint flavor that it leaves in your mouth.
Use a Whitening Pen- Back to the built-in whitening pen that comes with the Optic White Toothbrush. This pen clicks right into the bottom of the brush, making this tool convenient and easy to use when you’re on-the-go. It’s the easiest whitening pen to use because you don’t have to worry about keeping your teeth dry or waiting for the product to dry before closing your mouth. All you have to do is apply 2 clicks of the gel to your top teeth and 2 clicks to your bottom teeth after you rinse with mouthwash. No waiting or rinsing needed. The unique stay-on gel formula inside of the pen contains hydrogen peroxide, which is clinically proven to provide effective whitening beyond surface stains.
Flossing- Flossing was such a hard task with braces, but now that I have them off it’s easy to get back to it. I floss my teeth once a day before going to bed. This is enough to maintain healthy gums and to remove food from in between teeth. This will also help teeth appear whiter, prevent bad breath, and to maintain a healthy smile.
Drink from a Straw- To help keep teeth whiter, try to drink all colored beverages from a straw. Especially when you are drinking coffee, tea, energy drinks, and sodas. Using a straw will help to keep the stain-causing beverages from coming in contact with your teeth.
Side Note: Although the Colgate Optic White products say they can whiten teeth in as little as two days, I think it’s important use them continuously. What started off for me as a quick fix for gentle teeth whitening has turned into my go-to mouth health routine. I have been using the products for almost a month now and I continue to see an improvement in my teeth everyday.
Disclosure: The Colgate Optic White collection was provided to me for editorial considerations. All thoughts and opinions remain 100% my own.
Do you have any teeth whitening tips? Please share them with me below!
dawn says
Awesome article! Love the photos!!
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dawn
Drew says
That pen looks super easy to use. I have been searching for a new way to whiten my teeth so I’m definitely going to be trying this out.
Sahily says
I love this pen. It’s perfect for on the go too!
Alex says
Can you use the gel pen with braces on?
Sahily says
Hello Alex! I already had my braces taken off at this point, so I didn’t have brackets anymore.
Dr. Douglas Barker says
Thanks for sharing your review about Colgate product, this will help us in shorting best products out of rest.