When our patients are looking to whiten their teeth and brighten their smiles, they often wonder if whitening toothpastes will work for them. Here's a little from our Surrey dentist on how whitening toothpastes work.
Throughout history, people have used a different tricks and methods for cleaning and brightening their teeth.
Today there are countless products that claim to remove stains and whiten teeth, but do they really work?
The short answer is, sort of, but probably not as well as you would like.
A solution containing hydrogen peroxide is required in order to actually whiten teeth. That is why so many whitening toothpastes contain peroxide in their formulations.
That said, the amount of peroxide in toothpaste is very small, meaning that whitening toothpastes typically don't whiten teeth any better than regular toothpastes do.
These toothpastes may however, remove surface stains from your teeth which can help to make teeth appear whiter and brighter.
If you really want to keep your smile looking bright, controlling tartar buildup is key. Tartar is a hard yellowish material that can gradually build up on teeth as a result of a weak oral hygiene routine.
If you want to prevent tartar buildup it's important to brush thoroughly twice daily using whichever toothpaste you like best, floss every day, and visit your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings and checkups.
A strong oral hygiene routine is more likely to maintain and improve the health and appearance of your smile than the type of toothpaste you choose.
If you feel that your teeth are looking dull and discoloured in spite of careful cleaning, effective whitening treatments are available from your dentist.