Best Toothpaste for Whitening Teeth
Do you want whiter teeth? If you’ve noticed lately that your smile is looking dull or that your teeth are on the yellower side of white, you may be interested in teeth whitening products. One of the most common teeth whitening options is toothpaste. Almost every brand of toothpaste has a whitening version that claims to make your smile look brighter.
With all the whitening toothpastes on the market, which is the best? Here are some of the best ways to achieve a whiter smile.
Whitening Toothpaste Active Ingredients
The following ingredients are included in some of the top whitening toothpaste brands:
- Baking Soda. Baking soda is highly abrasive, which makes it effective at scrubbing stains off your teeth. It is also a natural ingredient that is safe if swallowed. The only downside to baking soda is that it can be too abrasive, potentially damaging your tooth enamel and causing sensitivity.
- Peroxide. Peroxide is a bleaching agent that can remove stains from your teeth. It is often used in conjunction with baking soda in whitening toothpastes. The combination of the abrasive baking soda and the bleaching power of peroxide provides more effective results.
- Charcoal. One of the latest teeth whitening ingredients used in toothpastes is charcoal. Like baking soda, charcoal is abrasive to scrub stains off your teeth. But like baking soda, the abrasiveness can be damaging to your teeth when used frequently and for long periods of time.
- Sodium Fluoride. Sodium fluoride is effective at reducing tooth sensitivity, which can often be exacerbated by whitening toothpastes. Toothpaste that claims to provide both whitening and sensitivity assistance can be an effective combination.
Whitening Toothpaste vs Professional Teeth Whitening
As far as teeth whitening products are concerned, toothpaste is one of the least effective options. Toothpaste can only remove some surface stains, leaving the layers of enamel beneath the surface still discolored. Whitening strips and stronger bleaching gels you can purchase from the store can be more effective, but they are often harsh on the teeth, causing sensitivity.
If you truly want the best results, professional teeth whitening treatments from your dentist can give you a noticeably whiter smile. Not only are the results more dramatic, the bleaching agents are designed to be safe for your teeth while removing more stains than whitening toothpastes. You’ll experience less sensitivity and get significantly whiter teeth with lasting results.
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening
For dramatically whiter teeth in just one day, try in-office bleaching. Your dentist will apply a bleaching agent to your teeth that is safe and gentle. The product works quickly, providing you with noticeably whiter teeth you can see almost immediately. The effects of in-office whitening treatment can last anywhere from 1-3 years.
Take-Home Professional Teeth Whitening
If you would prefer to whiten your teeth privately in the comfort of your own home, try take-home teeth whitening. You’ll see similar results to the in-office treatment but in a few weeks of daily or nightly treatments. Your dentist will create you a custom tray that fits snugly to your teeth to hold the bleaching gel against your teeth for even results. With take-home treatment you can reapply as needed to keep your teeth looking whiter for longer.
Doctors Lake Family Dental Provides Teeth Whitening Treatment
While whitening toothpaste may help, you’ll get better results from a professional whitening treatment. Doctors Lake Family Dental provides Opalescence products in both take-home and in-office versions. The products are safe and gentle on your teeth, reducing sensitivity and preserving your enamel.
To learn more about our teeth whitening products, call 904-264-6700 today to schedule or request an appointment.