Many people in Bowmanville desire a brighter and whiter smile and want to achieve this cost-effectively. One option is tooth whitening toothpaste, but does it really work?
How Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?
Whitening toothpaste has ingredients similar to ordinary toothpaste but often includes mild whitening or abrasive agents. These help to remove some surface stains and can include:
- Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide is a bleaching agent in tooth whitening strips and other treatments.
- Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help polish teeth.
- Potassium nitrate helps reduce tooth sensitivity.
However, for safety purposes, the concentration of these ingredients is low. Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide may help lift some minor surface staining but will have a limited impact since it isn’t in contact with your teeth for very long. It is the same issue with tooth-whitening mouthwash; while it may contain bleach, it is only in contact with your teeth for a matter of seconds.
Ingredients like baking soda must also be used with caution. When an ingredient is too abrasive, it can damage your tooth enamel.
Abrasive or whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide can sometimes irritate the gums. Therefore, other ingredients may be added to help reduce tooth sensitivity.
Is Tooth Whitening Toothpaste Effective?
It’s unlikely that any tooth-whitening toothpaste will provide dramatic results. If you do notice any difference, then it will be subtle. It’s also important to make sure you choose a brand of toothpaste with the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval so it has been thoroughly tested for safety and will not harm your dental health.
The effectiveness of these products can also depend on the type of tooth staining. Teeth can be externally, extrinsically, internally, or intrinsically stained.
Extrinsic Staining
Extrinsic tooth stains may be caused by lifestyle habits like smoking or drinking a lot of tea and coffee, but they can respond well to a teeth whitening treatment in Newcastle.
Intrinsic Staining
Intrinsic staining is inside the tooth and will not be affected by tooth whitening toothpaste. In this case, you would need a different approach to help whiten teeth that are intrinsically stained.
How to Whiten Teeth Effectively
If you wish to whiten your teeth effectively and, most importantly, safely, it’s better to ask us for practical help and advice when you next visit West Bowmanville Family Dental. We can discuss a professional tooth whitening treatment instead.
Professional teeth whitening is safe, effective, and very affordable. We use Zoom whitening in Courtice, a process that can lighten teeth by several shades in as little as an hour, producing an instantly brighter smile. Another option is a custom whitening kit. Some choose to use both treatments, especially to improve the results later.
Can Anyone Have a Professional Tooth Whitening Treatment?
Most people can have a teeth whitening treatment, but not everyone can. Before recommending this procedure, we must examine your teeth and gums to ensure they are strong, healthy, and suitable for whitening. We can also discuss the type of results you can expect to receive. A hygiene appointment before your professional tooth whitening treatment in Clarington will help you achieve optimal results.
Also, if you have crowns, bridges, or veneers, be aware these will not change shade during any professional tooth whitening treatment. You may need to replace these restorations afterward, which can be especially worthwhile if they are aging and have already passed their best.
If you are fed up with dingy stained teeth, contact us to discover more about whitening teeth professionally.