Do Whitening Toothpastes Work?

You, like everyone else, likely want your teeth to be bright and white. That’s basically the definition of a perfect set of teeth. But, while most would want to see their teeth bright and shiny, the truth is that everyone’s teeth are not the same.

While some people are born with white teeth, some have yellowish, gray, or even brown teeth. That’s perfectly natural. However, discolored teeth aren’t exactly the picture of a healthy and beautiful smile. Most people often associate them with poor oral health and smoking. So, you really can’t blame people for wanting whiter teeth.

In fact, you may be one of those people, and like many, you’re probably interested in using teeth whitening toothpaste to make your teeth whiter.

How Do They Work?

Conventional toothpastes alone are enough to remove surface stains. However, whitening toothpastes do an even better job of removing surface stains because they contain abrasive ingredients. Silica, for example, is a common ingredient in whitening toothpastes that work by scrubbing the surface of the teeth.

While they do a much better job of scrubbing away surface stains, whitening toothpaste don’t exactly work overnight. Instead, it can take weeks, if not months, before you see any results. And, even then, your teeth won’t exactly be as white as you imagined them to be.

You see, whitening toothpastes don’t really change the actual color of your teeth. Your teeth will still be what they are, just with fewer surface stains. This is bad news if you drink coffee and other notable stain-causing food and beverages frequently. Because whitening toothpastes work by removing surface stains only, you probably won’t see as much of an effect on your teeth. Or at least, not what you expected.

Your Dentist and Whiter Teeth

If you’re not really satisfied with the effect of the whitening toothpaste on your teeth, be sure to pay your dentist a visit. They can likely help you with your problem, either by prescribing an at-home professional whitening product, or by recommending an in-office procedure.

Whitening pens and other at-home whitening products work by bleaching your teeth. They’re generally not as effective as in-office procedures, but they’re cheaper and can actually you’re your teeth whiter with continued use.

For better and more dramatic results, however, you’ll want to consider an in-office teeth whitening procedure such as chairside bleaching. Like whitening pens, the procedure also involves the use of bleach. The main difference here, though, is that dentists will use a special curing light. Although expensive, chairside bleaching is often painless and can make teeth many shades brighter in just one session.

Everybody reacts differently to whitening toothpastes and other teeth whitening products. Keep in mind, however, that getting a perfect white smile isn’t as important as having healthy gums and teeth.

If you really want to use a whitening toothpaste, use it according to its instructions, and don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once, and visit your dentist regularly for optimal oral health.

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