If you feel that your smile is looking a little dull or discoloured, you may be wondering if whitening toothpaste could help. Our Surrey dentist shares more about whitening toothpastes, and how you can brighten your smile.
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If you think that your smile is looking dull or discoloured you may be hesitating to smile at others, and wondering what you can do to make your smile bright again.
You probably already know that there are numerous products available in stores that claim to remove stains and whiten teeth. Whitening toothpastes are one such product, but do these toothpastes really whiten teeth?
Whitening Toothpastes
For any product to whiten teeth it must contain hydrogen peroxide. That's why you will notice that many whitening toothpastes list hydrogen peroxide in their list of ingredients. However, most of these toothpastes do not contain enough of this active ingredient to actually whiten teeth.
In fact, typically these toothpastes do not tend to whiten teeth any better than regular toothpastes because the amount of peroxide in them tends to be too small to be effective.
That said, it's important to note that some of these toothpastes also contain mildly abrasive ingredients which, with regular use, can be effective at removing stains and making teeth appear whiter.
Oral Hygiene
A strong oral hygiene routine is one of the best ways to keep your smile looking bright. Brushing thoroughly for two minutes twice a day (with any toothpaste you choose), flossing daily, and visiting your dental hygienist for regular cleanings will help you to remove stains and prevent tartar buildup.
Tartar is a yellowish hard material that can build up on teeth as a result of a poor oral hygiene routine. Tartar not only looks bad but can lead to some serious dental health problems. Preventing tartar buildup is key to keeping teeth healthy and white.
The fact is that the overall health and appearance of your smile will be more affected by your oral hygiene routine than the type of toothpaste you buy.
Professional Teeth Whitening
If your smile is looking dull and needs a boost to get it looking its best again, professional whitening treatments are available from your dentist. Professional whitening can help to remove stains and brighten your smile. Visit your Surrey dentist to find out if professional teeth whitening could help to make your smile shine again.