A smile is often the first thing you notice upon meeting someone and it can leave a lasting impression, so it’s important for your smile to be in mint condition. Many individuals look to whitening products, such as toothpaste and whitening strips, to achieve that bright, white look. In fact, the market for whitening products has expanded exponentially in the past few years. Whitening toothpaste, though, is the most common method of whitening because it is inexpensive and does not add any time to your regular oral care routine.
But how does it work?
Whitening toothpaste contains more abrasive ingredients than regular toothpaste, such as baking soda. These abrasive ingredients scrub stains from the enamel layer on the surface of your teeth. Some toothpaste also contains special polishing chemicals that help to break down stains and make your smile as bright as possible. It is important to remember that whitening toothpaste does not contain peroxide, which is an agent that is found in other, more powerful whitening products. When used two times per day, whitening toothpaste takes between two and six weeks to remove stains (time varies depending on the intensity of the stains). Some whitening toothpaste contains a chemical called blue covarine, which clings to the exterior of your teeth and creates the faux appearance of white teeth.
Okay, you see now how they work, but do they work?
Most whitening toothpaste does beautifully when it comes to removing surface stains such as coffee, wine, or smoking stains. They will not, however, change the basic color of your teeth. For example, if you have naturally yellow teeth, a whitening toothpaste will not make them whiter – a professional whitening treatment might be the way to go. If you have naturally white teeth and are suffering from surface stains, then whitening toothpaste is a great solution for you.
