Why Should You Avoid Whitening Toothpaste - John Carson, D.D.S. (2024)

FAQs

Why shouldn't you use whitening toothpaste? ›

The ingredients in whitening toothpastes can reduce the natural mineral content of your teeth. Over time, this can make your teeth feel rougher and reduce their hardness.

Tooth and gum sensitivity and pain

Store-bought products may contain abrasive substances like hydrogen peroxide, which can be effective if used minimally, but in large doses can cause erosion of teeth's enamel and shrinkage of the gums.

Because they are more abrasive than regular toothpastes, over time, they can actually wear down and cause damage to the enamel, which is the hard, protective outer layer of your tooth. This can dramatically increase tooth sensitivity and even the potential of getting cavities.

Be sure to avoid any toothpastes that contain activated charcoal. Too often, unregulated toothpastes containing extremely harsh particles end up causing serious enamel damage and permanent discoloration.

If you're concerned about the potential damage to tooth enamel, Dr. Hoang recommends Colgate Optic White Toothpaste. It's effective (the formula contains 5% hydrogen peroxide, the highest concentration available in an over-the-counter toothpaste) and gentle.

Overuse or misuse of teeth-whitening products can cause sensitivity, gum irritation, and other side effects. Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.

Professional Dentistry for Seniors

If you want to whiten aging yellow teeth, you should make an appointment and head to your dentist's office. This option is a bit more expensive than purchasing tubes of toothpaste and packages of whitening trays from the store, but it is safer and more effective overall.

Colgate Optic White

This toothpaste is commonly recommended as the best whitening toothpaste due to its unique formulation. It contains 2% hydrogen peroxide, an active ingredient known for its bleaching ability. This makes it highly effective at removing surface stains on teeth, resulting in brighter and whiter teeth.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

Baking soda can be used with some water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can be used by individuals with regular toothpastes too. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

The best whitening toothpaste contains ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, which help remove stains. Whitening toothpaste is generally safe to use. These products, however, can lead to teeth sensitivity, irritate your gums, and damage enamel if you use them too often.

For overall oral health, the Twice Oral Wellness Toothpaste with Fluoride is aptly named. It's packed with active ingredients dentists love, such as fluoride and xylitol. It's also the only toothpaste on our list that contains potassium nitrate, the same active ingredient Sensodyne uses to reduce tooth sensitivity.

All other treatment chemicals are added to treat the water (i.e. to improve the water's quality and safety - which fluoride does not do). This is one of the reasons why much of Europe has rejected fluoridation.

Whitening strips, toothpastes, and mouthwashes can only affect surface enamel and thus only get surface-level stains out.

The fact is that no toothpaste can whiten teeth. That can only be effectively done by a dentist using the bleaching activity of hydrogen peroxide. Since people are familiar with peroxide's bleaching ability, manufacturers add it to toothpaste hoping to cash in on its whitening appeal.

We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.