What You Should Know About Whitening Toothpastes

WITH ALL THE WHITENING products out there on the market, it’s hard to know which ones are worth the fuss. That’s why the team here at Dental Partners of Boston wants to give you some insights.

There’s A Difference Between Whitening And Bleaching

Your teeth may not be as white as they used to be. Sometimes that’s due to staining, from eating and drinking. Sometimes, it’s simply a result of wear. See, when the white, protective outer layer of your teeth (the enamel) wears away, it leaves the dentin layer underneath (which has a yellow color) visible.

Whatever shade of white your teeth are after a deep-cleaning from our team…that’s how white your teeth are naturally, and that is as white as whitening toothpaste can get you. Whitening toothpastes can only scrub off stains and residue. They can’t make your teeth whiter than their natural shade.

Only bleaching can do that.

Don’t Use Whitening Toothpaste Every Time You Brush

Most whitening toothpastes contain extra abrasives—that’s how they whiten: by scrubbing off residue.

Because of their abrasives, whitening toothpastes are not meant to be used more than once a day. It can irritate your gums and wear down your tooth enamel (which—now you know—makes your teeth darker in the long run). So make sure you have a tube of regular toothpaste too, and you’re alternating between both.

Now, If You Want Tooth Bleaching…

If you want your smile to go beyond the white you see after a deep cleaning from our team, we recommend that you talk to us about your options for bleaching. We offer Zoom! Whitening, BriteSmile Whitening, and at-home options too.

Feeling sensitive after whitening? Read up on the causes, and how to relieve the sensitivity.

Let us know if you have any questions about any other whitening products. Leave a comment below, or on our Facebook page.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!

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