Are you unhappy with your smile? You may be thinking about trying a whitening toothpaste to brighten the colour of your teeth. But do whitening toothpastes really work? Our Surrey dentists look at whether whitening toothpastes work and which ingredients you should look for.
Our teeth naturally become darker as we age, and many of the foods and beverages we enjoy also lead to discolouration and staining. With so many different whitening toothpastes available at your local store, you may be considering whether you should give one a try. But, do they work?
Whitening Toothpastes
Hydrogen peroxide will be needed to whiten your teeth. While numerous whitening toothpaste brands do list hydrogen peroxide as one of their ingredients, the amount of this ingredient found in many whitening toothpastes is often too low to be effective. This means the whitening toothpaste you choose may not whiten teeth any better than standard toothpastes.
That said, when it comes to helping you whiten your teeth and remove stains, many whitening toothpastes include abrasive ingredients that can be effective.
Oral Hygiene is Key to Maintaining a Healthy Smile
Want to keep your smile looking its very best? Maintaining a solid oral hygiene routine is critical. By using any toothpaste you like to brush your teeth twice thoroughly each day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings, you will contribute to preventing plaque buildup and removing stains.
Yellowing Tartar Buildup
When plaque builds up on our teeth, it can become tartar — a hard, yellowish substance that’s caused by poor oral hygiene. Tartar not only yellows teeth and turns them an unpleasant colour, it can also lead to some serious oral health problems. If you’re aiming for a healthy, bright smile, preventing tartar buildup with excellent oral hygiene is key.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a non-invasive, easy dental treatment we can use to lighten the colour of natural tooth enamel. Professional whitening can be an ideal method of enhancing your smile’s beauty to give your confidence a boost.
Professional whitening involves 3 steps:
- Visit your dentist to have impressions taken of your teeth and be fitted for a custom mouthguard appliance.
- Return to the dentist’s office to pick up your lightweight mouthguard, professional whitening solution and instructions.
- Over the course of several days, use the whitening system at home. Most bleaching systems require about 10 to 14 days to achieve the desired result.
