Finally, for the 4th installment of the tooth whitening section, let’s talk a bit about whitening toothpastes.
Most whitening pastes act by mechanical means. They use an abrasive agent, usually silica, to scratch the stains off the surface of the teeth, revealing the whiter enamel underneath the stains. This mechanical removal of stains is effective, however continued use of these pastes, or over use, can cause significant abrasion and harm to the teeth. Other whitening toothpastes use chemicals to help whiten the teeth. These pastes usually resort to the tried-and-tested peroxide route. Whether it be hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, urea peroxide, they all create a chemical reaction that whitens the teeth moderately without removing any of the tooth structure. Which mechanism of tooth whitening toothpaste is right for you? Well that is for you to decide. However none of these toothpastes will be nearly as effective as an in-office whitening session with take home trays. Stay tuned for more articles soon, and I welcome any questions.Chemicals
What’s Right for You?