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If you want to remove minor stains and yellowing from your teeth, using a whitening toothpaste is a good way to restore the brightness of your smile without a trip to the dentist. But how do these types of toothpaste work? Find out everything you need to know from the team at Lake Bluff Dental now!
Almost every toothpaste on the market contains a very mild abrasive substance like silica, baking soda, or dicalcium phosphate. These gritty compounds help buff away surface stains, remove plaque, and buff your teeth to ensure that they are smooth and bright.
It’s important to note, however, that these abrasives are formulated very specifically to ensure that they are not harder than your enamel. They will rub away surface stains, plaque, and tartar, but they will not damage your teeth. To make sure you get a toothpaste that’s safe to use on your teeth, look for the ADA’s Seal of Approval. This indicates that the toothpaste is safe to use as directed.
This is not true of all abrasive “whitening” toothpastes. Charcoal toothpaste, for example, has not been approved by the ADA. It uses charcoal that is highly abrasive, and can permanently damage your enamel. You should avoid charcoal whitening toothpaste, and make sure you use only ADA-approved products to keep your teeth healthy.
Gritty toothpastes are great for removing surface stains, but they won’t help remove deep stains or yellowing. For that, you’ll want to use a whitening toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are the same active ingredients that are used for professional-grade whitening products.
Peroxides contain volatile oxygen molecules that break stains apart and “bleach” them away upon contact, restoring the natural color of your teeth. With a peroxide-based whitening toothpaste, you can reverse minor teeth stains and yellowing.
However, make sure you pick an ADA-approved product, and use it according to the instruction on the label. Many of these types of toothpaste are not intended to be used every day, and should not be combined with other whitening products. Use your best judgment, and you’re sure to be able to whiten your teeth safely.
Whitening toothpaste can help remove minor stains and yellowing, and they’re also very useful if you have already had your teeth whitened, and you’re looking to prevent the buildup of stains in the future.
However, whitening toothpaste alone is not enough to take care of severe yellowing and teeth staining. If you have deep stains on your teeth, you may need a professional teeth whitening treatment from Lake Bluff Dental.
We offer both take-home and in-office whitening at our office, so you can pick the method of whitening that’s right for you. With our teeth whitening services in Shorewood from Dr. Carolyn Griffin, you can restore your teeth and feel great about your smile once again. To learn more, just contact us online or give us a call at (414) 962-1800.