The effect on teeth is a slight whitening from the toothpaste removing surface stains caused by bad habits like smoking, drinking coffee, or other types of beverages. However, stains that run deeper than the surface will require a dentist to perform professional whitening.
Whitening toothpastes generally won’t give you immediate results but must be used from two to six weeks to see any difference in whiteness. You must brush your teeth at least twice a day to get any results. Some can provide immediate results because of their ingredients.
What's In a Whitening Toothpaste?
Most whitening toothpastes have two primary ingredients. One is the peroxide that breaks down stains. The other ingredient is a gentle abrasive that polishes teeth. The ones that give immediate results contain another ingredient called blue-covarine.
Blue-covarine sticks to the tooth’s surface and that makes teeth appear less yellow and more white.
A whitening toothpaste can help maintain your bright smile after you get a whitening treatment at the dentist. They offer some benefit in helping your teeth stay whiter, longer as they remove daily staining that comes with eating and drinking.
Those who want to use whitening toothpaste should go with a brand that has gained the approval of a major dental organization like the American Dental Association. They will carry the seal of acceptance on approved products. This means the product is both safe and effective for stain removal.
Using Whitening Strips
Most advise using whitening strips cautiously because overusing them will cause tooth sensitivity and will damage your tooth enamel and its surface permanently.
Whitening Procedures Offer Best Results
However, no home product is a substitute for the whitening techniques used in dental offices. A dental visit is also the safest way to whiten your teeth.While a dentist also uses a peroxide product to give you a whiter smile, it is a different type of product that what can be found in whitening toothpaste or strips.
The product a dentist uses is stronger and requires a special light or laser to activate. Most whitening procedures take a little more than an hour to perform.
