Does whitening toothpaste work?

Dental treatments are a fantastic way to keep your teeth looking their best, but what about when you’re at home? Aside from brushing, there are plenty of options you could try that often claim to maintain the effects of your professional treatments. One popular choice is using a whitening toothpaste, which is designed to keep your pearly whites… well, white! But anyone buying themselves whitening toothpaste generally has a single question first and foremost on their minds, which is: do they actually work?

How different is whitening toothpaste from normal toothpaste?

Non-whitening toothpaste will work perfectly well to remove some of the stains on your teeth that can change your teeth colour. On the other hand, whitening toothpaste is designed to remove tougher stains that would usually be difficult to get rid of. They don’t do this through any particularly sophisticated formulas – instead, they do it by scrubbing the surface of your teeth with a hard substance, like silica, that will get rid of the stain. A lot of whitening toothpastes will also have a whitening product in them, like hydrogen peroxide. Some of them can contain blue covarine, a chemical that creates an illusion to make your teeth look whiter.

Does it actually work?

It’s true that yes, good whitening toothpaste can make your teeth look a little brighter and remove nasty stains with continuous use. But a lot of them do take some time to start seeing effects. Aside from those that contain blue covarine (which can start working immediately), it can take between two to six weeks for the whitening effect to kick in, and you’ll need to use the toothpaste twice a day, consistently.

Remember though, that whitening toothpaste doesn’t change the actual colour of your teeth; it just removes the surface stains. If you smoke or drink a lot of red wine or coffee, you might not see the effects. In these cases, professional cleaning is your best option.

Are there any disadvantages of whitening toothpaste?

If you’re struggling with stained teeth, whitening toothpaste can be a great option to maintain the effects of professional whitening at home. But it isn’t quite as effective as expert tooth whitening treatments. Toothpaste alone takes a long time to work, and you have to keep using it to keep seeing the effects. It can also make some people’s teeth more sensitive, so it may be best to look at other options if you already have sensitive teeth.

Are there alternatives to whitening toothpaste?

If you have severely stained teeth, the best option is to come in for professional whitening. If whitening toothpaste isn’t working when you’re at home, you can also try gel strips. But be warned that they can also lead to increased sensitivity. If you can’t use whitening products on your teeth, be sure to avoid foods and drinks that can cause staining, drink water with meals, and brush your teeth twice a day.

If you’re looking to get your teeth whitened by a professional, call our team at AP Smilecare on 01254 297 000. We can talk you through our teeth whitening process and make sure it’s the right treatment for you. When it comes to oral care, we’re always ready to help you!