Whitening toothpastes are effective for removing surface
stains from the teeth, but they can’t change the natural tooth colour. Those
who have noticeable stains from soda, coffee, or cigarettes can expect visible
changes with regular use of a quality whitening toothpaste. However, if your
discoloration runs deeper, there are other whitening products that can better
bring about the changes you’re after.
Understanding the active ingredients used for tooth
whitening as well as the differences between various products will help you
choose the treatment that best meets your needs.
Immediate Appearance
of Whitening
If you’re dealing with day-to-day surface stains from
yellowing beverages or other lifestyle habits, whitening toothpaste can help
you scrub away this discoloration before it becomes a permanent part of your
smile. However, this typically takes between two and six weeks of regular use.
If you want a whiter appearance with the first application, you can achieve
this through something of an optical illusion.
Look for whitening toothpaste that contains blue covering.
This chemical diminishes the yellow appearance on the surface of the tooth. The
result is immediately perceptible, though not as long-lasting as other methods
of tooth whitening. It’s best to combine the optical properties of blue covering
with other approaches to tooth-whitening.
Long-Term Whitening
Results
Whitening toothpastes are designed for regular application
at least twice a day. For the best results, users must brush daily with these
products for several weeks. Products that don’t contain blue covarine can still
yield impressive results. However, it’s important for users to understand that
the whitening isn’t usually visible after the very first brushing.
Whitening toothpastes achieve long-term results through a
combination of abrasives that polish the teeth and chemicals that break down
stains. Common abrasives found in whitening toothpastes include:
Hydrated aluminum oxide
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate
These toothpastes may also contain carbamide peroxide or
hydrogen peroxide which help whiten teeth. Carbamide peroxide works faster, but
these ingredients bring about the same overall degree of colour change over a
period of two weeks.
Important Product
Considerations
When you’re shopping for whitening toothpaste, it’s
important to make sure you select a safe product. Look for the American Dental
Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Products that sport this seal have
undergone a thorough evaluation, demonstrating both their safety and efficacy.
Participation in the ADA Seal program is voluntary but is an excellent
demonstration of the manufacturer’s commitment to quality and reliability.
While the ADA Seal of Acceptance does identify products that
are safer, it’s important to understand that no bleaching or whitening product
is without risks. The most common issue with whitening toothpastes and other
similar products is mild irritation of the gums and mouth. You may also
experience increased tooth sensitivity.
It’s important to note that whitening toothpastes rely
heavily on abrasives for their results, and while these abrasives can
effectively scrub away surface stains, they may also remove some of the tooth
enamel. As the enamel wears away, you will see more of the dentin beneath,
which is often discoloured. In the manufacturer’s clinical trial, Arm &
Hammer Advanced Whitening whitened teeth for 39 percent of users. However, 25
percent were left with darker teeth, demonstrating the potential risks inherent
in these products.
Over-the-Counter
Bleaching Products
Whitening toothpastes are not the same as over-the-counter
tooth-whitening bleaches. Though many types of toothpaste contain a bleaching
ingredient, it’s washed away fairly quickly in this form. For the best results,
bleaches must stay in contact with the teeth for an extended period, as they do
with a whitening strip or tray.
If you want to go beyond removing surface stains on the
teeth and focus instead on lightening the overall color, a tooth bleaching
product or kit is a more effective choice than toothpaste. These products
usually require regular applications for two to four weeks.
Professional
Whitening Alternatives
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is to speak with
your dentist about professionally applied products. These have a higher
concentration of the active bleaching ingredient and produce more noticeable
results. While an over-the-counter bleaching kit will typically contain 10
percent carbamide peroxide, a professional application can have a hydrogen
peroxide concentration ranging from 25 to 40 percent. A protective gel or other
agent is used on the gums to prevent irritation with these strong treatments.
Professional tooth whitening treatments are also much
quicker than other alternatives. Most dentists in Chandigarh will
complete this treatment in about an hour, saving you weeks of repetitive
applications.
If you’re looking for whiter teeth, whitening toothpastes
may prove to be an effective solution when used correctly to treat surface
stains. However, if you want to get beneath the enamel and achieve a deeper and
longer-lasting white, you should consider alternative products. Ultimately,
speaking with a dentist is the best way to address any concerns regarding the
colour of your teeth and find a satisfying solution.
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