Do Teeth Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

There are many arguments for and against teeth whitening toothpastes but when considering the questions as to whether or not teeth whitening toothpastes work we need to understand the underlying cause and effect of discoloured teeth.

When considering the use of teeth whitening toothpastes consumers must first understand that discolouration can be as a result of stains to the surface of the teeth or due to the discolouration of the dentin inside the teeth.

Teeth whitening toothpastes generally work through the use of abrasives which physically remove stains from the surface of the teeth. The abrasive action of teeth whitening toothpastes help remove stains created by food and drink and polishes the surface of the teeth.

The whitening power of teeth whitening toothpastes is through the use of abrasive materials that need to be strong enough to remove stains from the teeth but not so strong as to cause damage to the tooth enamel. There are teeth whitening toothpastes on the market that are considered too abrasive and which can lead to teeth sensitivity.

By using the products that physically damage the tooth enamel the effect of teeth whitening toothpastes can be reduced. It has been stated that the reducing the thickness of the enamel can heighten the impact of discoloured dentin by making the yellowing of the dentin more obviously apparent.

Manufacturers who claim that their teeth whitening toothpastes have been proven to be effective in whitening teeth are totally correct. However, there is often a misunderstanding between manufacturer and consumer as to what is mean by the effective whitening of teeth. Consumers just need to be aware that teeth whitening toothpastes remove stains from the surface of the teeth but do not have any impact on yellowing dentin. In addition, more abrasive teeth whitening toothpastes may create tooth sensitivity and make teeth appear more yellow through damage to the tooth enamel.

When looking to remove surface stains, cosmetic dentists tend to recommend the use of newer brands of teeth whitening toothpastes that contain less harsh abrasives or those teeth whitening toothpastes that use methods other than abrasives, for removing stains from the surface of the teeth.