How do whitening toothpastes work and how effective are they at whitening teeth?

There are several brands of toothpaste on the market that claim to whiten teeth within a few weeks. Do they actually work or are they a waste of time and money?


Years of coffee consumption, use of tobacco products, and eating certain foods can wreak havoc on tooth enamel. Unfortunately, enamel has tons of little microscopic crack that stains attach themselves to. These little cracks also allow stains to sink deep within teeth. Teeth become dull and yellowish and consumers facing this problem naturally want to do something about it. Instead of paying a dentist hundreds of dollars, they opt for the do-it-yourself approach. Many may find that they are only setting themselves up for disappointment.


There is no possible way that a whitening toothpaste can compare with an in-office whitening procedure. For teeth whitening to become noticeably whiter, teeth need to be literally bleached from the inside. The most a special toothpaste can do is lighten the surface of teeth.


The process for effective bleaching involves applying a hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth. The gel usually has a large percentage of hydrogen peroxide so bleaching can be immediately noticeable. One can expect to see a whiter smile in about an hour. Depending on the severity of staining, repeat visits may be required in order to achieve the desired level of whiteness. Follow up treatment usually includes a take-home treatment and, yes, whitening toothpaste.


Ultimately, nothing can replace a professional treatment but whitening toothpaste can certainly help stave off future problems.


Since the teeth have already been bleached from the inside, a whitening toothpaste is highly effective at keeping surface stains at bay. These pastes have special abrasives that can "scrub off" surface stains. Some stains may be harder to remove especially if the person smokes continuously, drinks coffee in abundance, and favors red wine. If this is the case, brush often, about three times per day.


Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist - For more information visit us at www.reservedentalgroup.com - or call to make an appointment 561-852-7773