Whitening Toothpaste: To Whiten or Not to Whiten?

When you're glancing over the dozens of toothpaste brands on your grocery store shelf, take a few moments to count how many are available in whitening formulas. Whitening toothpaste is constantly growing in popularity. By the time you make your next trip to the store, that number will likely have increased.

Whitening toothpastes are best sellers right now, thanks to societal trends demanding that we all sport bright "Hollywood" smiles, full of teeth that are literally pearly white. Since teeth naturally darken with age, and more middle-aged and elderly people are retaining their own teeth, the demand for tooth-whitening products of all types isn't expected to go away any time soon. If you're unsure whether a whitening toothpaste is the right choice for you, the information below can help with your decision.

First, be aware that all types of toothpaste help remove surface stains through the use of mild abrasives. Whitening toothpaste brands build upon this basic formula with the addition of extra chemical and polishing agents which are capable of lightening your teeth a shade or two by removing stains from the tooth enamel. Most of these stains are caused over time by smoking, using smokeless tobacco and/or regular consumption of coffee, tea, soda and certain medications. At best, whitening toothpastes can lighten your teeth one or two shades, but they won't be as effective as a bleach, and they can't change the basic color of your teeth. The most common chemicals used in whitening toothpastes are dicalcium phosphate, sodium metaphosphate, calcium carbonate silica, zirconium silicate and calcium pyrophosphate.

Among the most abrasive of these are toothpastes formulated especially for smokers, whose teeth have been stained light to dark brown by the tar in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. While these pastes are among the most cosmetically helpful, it's necessary to take care, because too-hard brushing with these high-abrasive pastes can damage delicate gum tissue. In some instances, you can actually develop "abrasion cavities," especially around the roots of your teeth. So, if you use one of these pastes, be sure to use a soft toothbrush and gentle strokes.

For people who want deeper or more long-lasting results, tooth-whitening strips, or else whitening procedures performed at your dentist's office may be a better, if more expensive, option. Just keep in mind that your teeth may become sensitive and your gums irritated while you're using these products. In most cases, however, this is temporary and disappears once the bleaching process is finished.

Most people can experience good results if they use a whitening toothpaste regularly. If you have any questions at all, however, be sure to ask your dentist. Tooth whiteners are normally not recommended for children under age 16, people with severely receding gums, anyone with allergies to peroxide, or women who are pregnant or nursing. And whether your toothpaste is a standard or whitening formula (or another dental product, such as OraMD®), it's important that you brush and floss regularly.