Are Whitening Toothpastes For You?

Pretty much every brand of toothpaste now carries a whitening line to keep up with the competitive business of teeth whitening.  You may have asked yourself if whitening toothpastes really work and if so how long will it take to see results?  The answer is that the impact will vary from person to person and for severe discoloration it’s probably best to visit a cosmetic dentist.

Tooth whitening toothpastes definitely have their place.  They can be great maintenance tools for those who have obtained professional whitening services and they can be a simple and inexpensive fix for someone who has slight discoloration from foods and drinks.  Whitening toothpastes aren’t designed to eliminate deep discoloration because they still have to be gentle enough on your teeth for daily use.  They only work on the outer layers of teeth when removing slight stains.  Results vary, but in general whitening toothpaste can help make your teeth one shade lighter overtime.

Some dentists are concerned about how whitening toothpastes remove stains.  The abrasives in the toothpaste can be harsh on teeth and even do some damage over time.  This is one reason why more and more people are turning to professional whitening to take care of their discolored teeth.  Although this is more expensive then buying a certain brand of toothpaste, the results are typically dramatically better than any toothpaste and will have your teeth whiter within hours.  Talk to your cosmetic dentist about your options and what is best for your individual situation.