Facts About Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes seem like an easy, cheap way to whiten teeth, but how well do they work? These toothpastes only work to remove surface stains, leaving deep cleaning to the professionals. Most have one or more active ingredients, and are effective at keeping surface stains under control. Be aware that even the priciest whitening toothpaste cannot bleach teeth white.
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Function
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Whitening toothpaste has risen in popularity in the last decade, with practically every major brand producing one or more versions. Ostensibly, a whitening toothpaste product brightens the teeth while clearing the enamel of surface stains and discoloration. The toothpastes can be used in conjunction with other whitening products such as flosses, mouthwashes and boosters to intensify the strength of the active ingredients. If used two or more times daily, the user should see an improvement in the quality of her dental appearance.
What They Can and Can't Do
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A whitening toothpaste is only as good as its ingredients; therefore, many of the over-the-counter products are unable to actively bleach teeth like an actual office treatment can. In fact, SoYouWanna.com's article on tooth whitening states, "the ADA approves them, mainly because they are pretty much the definition of harmless." Whitening pastes only remove the shallow film of pellicle that coats teeth. As a result, teeth will look and feel cleaner. What won't happen is any kind of true bleaching action.
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Ingredients
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Because over-the-counter oral and dental treatments are limited in their active drug content, it's good to know what ingredients are available on the market in order to buy products that will work the best. Whitening pastes contain abrasive ingredients that gently polish the tooth surface, similar to a facial exfoliant. Alternatively, the Mayo Clinic notes that some products use "chemicals, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, that help break down or dissolve stains". Still others, like Arm & Hammer's brand of products, use hydrogen peroxide.
It should be noted that persons with sensitive teeth or gums must exercise caution when buying and using whitening products. Tissues may become painfully irritated by the abrasive ingredients. Those who suffer from tooth and gum abrasion should also step carefully.
Maintenance After Professional Whitening
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Whitening toothpaste is especially useful for keeping teeth looking white after a dentist has bleached them. These toothpastes will safely remove deposits and shield against new discoloration. Twice-daily use helps break down the pellicle film that turns teeth yellow.
Of course, it's important to combine your whitening toothpaste use with good dental hygiene. Stay away from smoking, and drinking dark-colored colas and coffee. Discoloration also may occur with tea. Minimizing consumption of these foods, or brushing afterward, will do much to keep freshly whitened teeth sparkling clean.
Potential
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It's possible that whitening toothpastes will become stronger over time, but it's unlikely that the strong bleaches used by the dentist will ever reach the general public in the form of a toothpaste. The most effective whitening procedure is twice-daily brushing, followed by regular dental checkups. Since the inner dentin layer of the tooth is what actually turns yellow, it needs to be cleaned professionally. Whitening toothpaste, however, does a great job of cleaning teeth, getting rid of plaque and tartar buildup and freshening the mouth because of its stronger cleansing ingredients. Check out an impartial buying guide, such as Consumer Reports, in order to find the best product for your buck.
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Resources
- Photo Credit 2006 greefus groinks / Creative Commons
