There is such a fad, fashion and craze when it comes to teeth whitening. Obviously, most of us, if not all of us, are after having white, shiny teeth that will provide that bright smile. However, we are often lost when it comes to searching for stuff that will provide the answer to us all. Considering that some treatments may be expensive, we end up with teeth whitening toothpastes that are way cheaper than these options.The question is:

HOW DO TEETH WHITENING TOOTHPASTES WORK?

Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Before even discussing how whitening toothpastes work, it is best to look at the common culprits to teeth discoloration. Among some of the causes are heredity, one’s age and an existing disease you may have. Even some medications may result to this dilemma. Of course, on top of all these, you can blame what you drink for having these things happen to your life. Soft drinks, tea, coffee and red wine are among these factors that lead to teeth discoloration. Not to forget that smoking may also be blamed for it.
Making Whitening Toothpastes Work
While you are trying to look for teeth whitening treatments, you will surely come across whitening toothpastes that are available over-the-counter, through your dentist’s clinic, and via grocery stores. These toothpastes are being marketed to help remove stains on the teeth.
Remember though that while they seem to whiten your teeth after several days of using them, these teeth whitening products cannot change your teeth’s color no matter how much they can remove stains from the teeth’s surface. Due to this fact, you can only use it as a supplement to teeth bleaching treatments if you want to achieve results.
A Closer Look at its Ingredients
Probably, one way of assessing how whitening toothpastes work is by taking a closer look at its ingredients. They contain what we call polishing abrasives – calcium carbonate or silica to name a few. Together with these polishing abrasives, you will also find carbamide peroxide or tripolyphosphate that promise to help with breaking down of stains from the tooth. They seem to function the same way as ordinary toothpastes do since they promise to remove plaque and stains. The difference they may have with these other products though is their abrasive effects thus you are sure to see results in no time.
Are there Side Effects or Risks?
Yes, there are definitely some side effects of using whitening toothpastes. Prolonged use, according to Alice! Health Promotion Program at Columbia University, will destroy your teeth’s enamel. Additionally, you may see that your teeth are yellower due to the fact that they do not have the capability to work on the yellower inner dentin of the teeth.
Whitening toothpastes work, at least between two to four weeks. You have to take note though that there are some risks that come with using them. In order to get rid of the things that these products may bring, you have to use them cautiously. A regular visit to your dentist is highly recommended.
Resilient but Porous
Before you consider a whitening toothpaste, you need to understand the structure of the tooth itself. The tooth is made up of an outside tissue or covering, called the enamel, which is the hardest material in the body. Despite its resiliency, enamel is also porous, which makes it easy for stains to penetrate into the layer over time.
How a Tooth is Structured
The three major layers of the tooth then include the enamel, the dentine, and an inside layer—the pulp—which contains blood vessels and nerves. While the top part of the tooth (the crown) is made up of the enamel, dentine, pulp, and gum, the lower section, or root, is comprised of the cementum, bone, and root blood vessel and nerve.
Toothpaste Limitations
Tooth whitening pastes are dentifrices, and therefore provide just enough abrasion to eliminate surface stains. However, if you want to remove intrinsic or underlying stains, you normally must resort to using hydrogen peroxide trays, which can be obtained through your dentist or, over the counter, in drug stores and retailers online and off-line. Chairside whitening, while more expensive, provides the most immediate results.

Use Whitening Toothpastes to Remove Surface Stains

To keep teeth white or reduce surface staining then, whitening pastes are recommended – as long as you are aware of their limitations. Dentifrices are simply not designed to remove more intense stains – the kind that that can cause discoloration beneath the tooth’s surface. The primary layers of the tooth—the enamel and dentine—are most affected by the staining process.

Beverages that Affect Tooth Coloring

The beverages and foods you consume as well as your DNA all influence the coloring of your teeth. Beverages such as coffee or tea will affect the enamel while the second layer, or dentine, naturally takes on a darker hue with the progression of time.
Use a Whitening Kit if You Want Quicker Results
Therefore, most whitening toothpastes only come in contact with the outside layer or the enamel, and usually do not contain the level of peroxide that is included in whitening kits. Although some whitening toothpastes may contain a small amount of peroxide, whitening is minimal when compared to kits or strips.

Whitening Toothpastes Work – However the Results are More Subtle

However, that being said, that does not mean that these kinds of dentifrices do not work. Whitening toothpastes do get rid of surface stains, and, when combined with flossing and regular cleanings, result in whiter and brighter teeth.

Recommended Toothpaste Whiteners

With the above information in tow, you can now review the best whitening toothpastes on the market to determine which is the best toothpaste to use.
Crest 3D White Toothpaste: In consumer reports, this toothpaste generally obtains 4 ½ stars out of 5 for whitening the teeth. According to Crest, the foaming action of the product gets rid of approximately 90% of surface stains. Realistically, you should see whitening results in about five days, although the brand promises that you’ll see whitening, in some cases, after using the product once.
If you do not have a lot in the way of intrinsic stains, or tooth discoloration, you can achieve close to the same results as using bleaching trays.
Rembrandt Tooth Whitening Pastes – The Rembrandt brand offers tooth whitening in one of a variety of products, including mouth rinses as well. The rapid-release peroxide that is contained in Rembrandt’s dentifrices can penetrate the outer layer or enamel to remarkably whiten teeth. Unlike other toothpastes that concentrate on the enamel itself, the rapid-release ingredient reaches down into the dentin too.
Rapid-release peroxide is found in Rembrandt’s line-up of Deeply White Fresh Mint Toothpaste, Deeply White Winter Mint Toothpaste, and the Deeply White Whitening Mouthwash. The line-up also features a 2-hour whitening kit.
So, if you are looking for a paste that can be used for extrinsic (surface) and intrinsic (internal) stains, the Deeply White products, represented by Rembrandt, are certainly worth considering. The Deeply White dentifrices and mouthwash contain fluoride to strengthen the teeth as well.
Tom’s of Maine Whitening (Fluoride-free) Toothpaste – If you are seeking a natural dentifrice that does not contain fluoride, then you may be interested in the Tom’s of Maine brand. Not everyone wants fluoride included in their dentifrice as fluoride overuse can cause fluorosis, a condition where the enamel exhibits white streaks, pitting, or mottled brown spots.
Too much fluoride intake permanently damages the enamel and can be the result of consuming too much fluoridated water or ingesting too much of a fluoride toothpaste. The condition can result from eating processed foods that were manufactured with fluoridated water as well.
Fortunately, Tom’s of Maine offers a natural toothpaste alternative in this respect. The paste, which is naturally flavored with spearmint, peppermint, or fennel, contains hydrated silica (which comes from the earth) to remove surface stains. Glycerin and sorbitol are added for moistening and xylitol is included to support the natural flavoring. If you shun commercial toothpastes, then Tom’s of Maine will be of special interest to you.
Sensodyne Pronamel Whitening Toothpaste – Sensodyne’ gentle whitening dentifrice not only safeguards your teeth from erosion, it also removes those distracting stains. Erosion is caused by consuming acidic foods, which, in turn, cause minerals in the tooth to slowly dissolve. If you are concerned about erosion as well as whitening, then this product by Sensodyne is something you will want to review.
Colgate Total – Whitening Toothpaste – A noted leader among brands of toothpaste, Colgate’s Total Toothpaste offers the power of whitening as well as the ingredient triclosan for gingivitis protection. Fluoride is added for strengthening the teeth as well. Dental professionals advise that you brush with the toothpaste twice a day for a cleaner, whiter smile. Its long-standing reputation in the marketplace makes this whitening dentifrice a reliable top pick.

Making a Choice for a Whitener

When you are choosing a whitener, look at the formulation and exactly what you want to achieve. For example, if you feel you need gum protection but want to whiten your teeth, then a toothpaste, such as Colgate Total, would be a logical choice. On the other hand, you may be squeamish about using commercial brands. If so, a natural toothpaste, such as Tom’s of Maine, would give you the whitening you desire, albeit more gradually.
Perhaps you want to see quicker or more pronounced results. If that is your goal, then the Rembrandt line-up of products should be on your shortlist for best whitening toothpaste. Maybe your primary concern is to remove surface stains. If that is the case, Crest’s 3D white toothpaste may be what you need. Sensodyne’s Pronamel whitener is a reasonable pick if you are concerned about erosion but want to whiten your teeth.