Who doesn’t want to sport a sparkly set of pearly white teeth? In most cases, straight, white teeth are equated with healthy smiles. On the other hand, yellowish, brown, or gray teeth are associated with poor oral health. That’s why there’s a vast array of whitening products for our teeth in the market.
The question is, what’s with all the fuss about the use of whitening toothpaste? Are brands merely trying to pull a fast one on consumers? Do these products really work in the first place? Is it worth it to use a whitening toothpaste? We’ll answer these questions one by one in the following section.
Whitening Toothpaste in a Nutshell
Whitening toothpaste was created to help remove surface stains from your teeth caused by food and drinks. There is a vast array of whitening toothpastes out in the market, and many are safe for daily use.They usually use one of three ingredients to whiten teeth: magnesium carbonate, hydrogen peroxide, and carbamide peroxide.
Diluted hydrogen peroxide is the most common whitening agent, because it’s safe to use and works very well. Mild abrasives, like magnesium carbonate, are usually used to treat yellow teeth. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, leading to much quicker results.
How Whitening Toothpaste Works
What causes your teeth to get stained and turn yellow? Eating, drinking, and smoking can contribute to the stains on your teeth and give them a yellowish tinge. This is why people turn to whitening toothpaste. Now, how does it work? Whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains using abrasives or chemicals. These chemicals work while you brush your teeth. As a result, your teeth will turn out whiter than ever.
The question is, does it really work? It depends on what you hope to accomplish. It’s worth noting that toothpaste only works on the surface of your teeth. This means that it won’t necessarily work on deeper stains, the natural color of your teeth, or the color of crowns or veneers. It may even take a while before the whitening process kicks in, so you probably won’t notice a big difference in the color of your teeth for a few weeks or so.
The Best Whitening Toothpaste
As mentioned, there are many whitening toothpastes out in the market. Different brands are trying to outdo each other to get you to buy their products. Due to the impact of these brands’ marketing campaigns, it may be easy for you to fall prey to products that aren’t really effective.
Make sure the product you buy has a seal of approval from the ADA (American Dental Association). Products that bear that seal are safe for daily use. It is best, however, to choose the whitening toothpaste that’s right for your teeth. Chances are you have sensitive teeth, or you notice unusual sensitivity after using whitening toothpaste. As a smart consumer, it’s wise to go with products that won’t damage your teeth even further.
Final Words
Please be advised that whitening toothpaste may not work the way you want it to, especially if you’re looking to change the natural color of your teeth or eliminate deeper, more stubborn stains. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get the smile of your dreams anymore.
The good news is whitening gels can be purchased over the counter or at your dentist’s office. They can be applied with a brush, syringe, or clear strips and you can use them at home. There are more methods that you can take advantage of such as charcoal whitening, laser whitening, and the like.
If you’re looking for a local dentist to help you with your dental health, get in touch with us today for a free consultation.