Should I Pick A Whitening Toothpaste
There are so many teeth cleaning products out there it is hard to know what really works. What do you need to look for when picking up a whitening toothpaste? There are many things to consider. Below, Hulse Dental, a dental office focusing on family and cosmetic dental care, highlights the most important things to consider for whitening toothpaste.
How to shop for Whitening toothpaste
Shopping for whitening toothpaste involves the same checklist experts recommend following when shopping for any kind of adult toothpaste or kids toothpaste — make sure whichever option you choose has the ADA Seal of Acceptance and contains the ingredient fluoride to reduce your risk of cavities. All toothpastes that earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance are made with fluoride and do not contain flavoring agents like sugar that can cause or contribute to tooth decay.
Then look for toothpastes that are formulated to whiten teeth. After that, you can make a choice between the flavors of the paste, the breath freshening ingredients and the organic nature of the ingredients. Some good options include Crest Pro-Health Whitening, Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste Gel, Hello Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, Burt’s Bees Whitening Toothpaste, and Moon Anticavity and Fluoride Whitening Toothpaste.
How does whitening toothpaste work?
Whitening toothpaste primarily relies on abrasives to help remove surface stains from your teeth. Toothpaste is mildly abrasive to scrub teeth clean of dirt and grime — silica and chalk, for example, are two common types of gentle abrasive ingredients found in toothpaste. But whitening toothpaste may be more abrasive than basic types of toothpaste or contain ingredients that specifically target surface stains — sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is one example. Other types of abrasives — like charcoal — are not as gentle, and experts recommend avoiding them due to possible adverse effects.
Some whitening toothpastes contain peroxide, a bleaching agent. The ADA notes that hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide specifically are commonly used in tooth whitening products. It’s important to note that when you brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste that contains peroxide, it can penetrate the enamel and break down discoloration without softening or thinning your teeth.
Why doesn't whitening toothpaste work like other whiteners?
Whitening toothpaste is not in contact with your teeth for a long enough period of time to have the same effect as other whitening products. Whitening toothpaste also typically has a lower concentration of whitening ingredients compared to other in-office options, further restricting the product’s effectiveness. Whitening toothpaste works well when used for maintenance after you’ve used another form of whitening. There is a limit for whitening toothpaste’s overall effectiveness, specifically for deep stains or darkening caused by some oral conditions. You’re not going to notice any kind of dramatic change. For true effectiveness, you need something from your dentist. This doesn’t mean whitening toothpaste doesn’t work — it can. Just be aware of its limitations.
At Hulse Dental in Onalaska, Wisconsin, we have helped our patients maintain their bright smiles and healthy mouth in the best ways possible for over 30 years. Not only do we provide teeth whitening options and preventative cleanings, we also have Cerec one-day crowns, veneers, and Invisalign clear aligners to help you achieve your best smile. Reach out to us on our website, email or telephone, or just stop in and say Hi! We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have. (Hulse Dental is located at 1840 E. Main St, Onalaska, WI 54650)