Teeth whitening with whitening toothpastes
Teeth whitening toothpastes are now easy to find at supermarkets and pharmacies. Popular products include Colgate Optic White and Oral-B 3D White. These toothpastes make at home whitening seem affordable and easy. But do they work?
How do whitening toothpastes work?
Whitening toothpastes contain abrasives in them which remove stains on the surface of teeth, which helps to make teeth appear whiter. The most common causes of teeth staining is from foods and drinks, such as red wine, coffee and tea. External stains can also be removed by having a professional scale and polish. Using an electric toothbrush can also help to reduce stains on your teeth.
Most whitening toothpastes also contain a low concentration of whitening solution such as hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is used in professional dental whitening products such as at-home whitening and in-chair whitening procedures.
Are tooth whitening toothpastes effective?
If your teeth are very stained, and you haven’t had them cleaned regularly, you might notice some degree of difference over time. Removing stains will help your teeth look brighter and whiter.
However, it might take quite some time for you to notice much of a difference. The concentration of whitening solution in the toothpastes is also very low for safety reasons. Higher concentrations like those used by dentists can be harmful to the gums and insides of the mouth. This is why we take safety precautions to cover and protect the gums and insides of the mouth during teeth whitening procedures. Obviously you can’t do this whilst you are brushing your teeth, which is why the concentration must be low. Because it is so low, it also means changes to the shade of the teeth can take a long time to take effect.
What can you do if you want whiter teeth faster?
- Have a professional scale and polish. This will remove any stains quickly and effectively as well as maintaining healthy gums.
- Try out at-home whitening (results in 2 weeks), or in-chair whitening (results in 1 hour).
Do you have more questions about teeth whitening at our Claremont dental clinic? You can call our friendly team on 61435655 or click here to book now.
