One of the most frequently requested dental procedures is teeth whitening, and with a number of products on the market geared toward this goal, many are left wondering about the facts about teeth whitening toothpaste. Americans are bombarded with images of individuals with bright, white teeth multiple times a day, making it a desire of their own. But how they get there matters.

To decide if a tooth whitening toothpaste or a professional Houston teeth whitening method best meets your needs, it can be wise to first consult with your dentist. However, educating yourself on the facts about teeth whitening toothpaste beforehand can better prepare you for that conversation.

The Facts about Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Over the counter teeth whitening toothpaste has been on the market for years. The draw for many purchasers is that it is relatively affordable and comes with a suggestion that the user’s teeth will be dramatically brighter for it.

For some, teeth whitening toothpaste adequately meets a person’s needs and they are satisfied with the results. However, others become frustrated at how slow and inaccurate the method can be. Before you choose which is best for you, here are some of the facts about teeth whitening toothpaste:

1. The capabilities of teeth whitening toothpaste do not generally include miracles. It may be possible for the substance to remove some shallow surface stains on teeth, but then again, regular toothpaste can often do the same thing. While whitening toothpaste may diminish minor external stains that can come from the consumption of wine, coffee, or some foods, what this type of toothpaste will likely not do is whiten your teeth with a widely noticeable brighter shade. This is due in large part to the fact that any bleaching ingredients in the paste are not usually intended to sit on the teeth long enough to yield an obvious change.
2. Some whitening toothpastes may contain materials that are abrasive to assist with removing stains from the teeth. The problem is how abrasive the paste is and at what strength. If the abrasive is too abundant or strong, it may end up removing essential tooth enamel and causing tooth decay or sensitivity. Such results could be problematic as decay can lead to cavities, and tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable or even painful for some individuals.
3. Results can be short lived in comparison to other methods of brightening one’s smile. For those individuals who find teeth whitening toothpaste to be successful in achieving their desired effect, it is important to note that it will not last as long as professional methods. This means it may require a more frequent application of the toothpaste, which could lead to increased tooth sensitivity in some people.

If there is a stain on a tooth that originates from inside, it could be due to aging or trauma. Regardless, teeth whitening toothpaste is not designed to treat or brighten internal stains.

If you have one or more stains on your teeth and are not sure if they are external or internal, a licensed dentist can help you with identifying which is correct and what to do to treat those stains.

What If Teeth Whitening Toothpaste Is Not for Me?

Should you or your dentist decide that teeth whitening toothpaste is not the best pathway forward, there are still a number of other options to choose from that may brighten your smile. These may include:

• Customized teeth whitening at the dentist. At a licensed dentist’s office, teeth whitening methods tend to be more precise, customized, and long lasting. For example, the dental professional will take a mold of the person’s teeth to custom make a tray they will use for whitening that will reach all of the teeth with better accuracy. Some dentists may even use dental lasers to assist with teeth whitening for faster results.
• Whitening Strips. These strips can be found at the local grocery or drug store and are designed to sit on the teeth for a certain amount of time with the goal of making them appear whiter. This method requires the user to carefully read the instructions and follow them accordingly. The main issue with these strips is that every person is unique, so they may affect people differently. A common issue with this method is that many overuse the product in a way that yields dental problems such as tooth sensitivity. Another common issue is that the strips may not be strong enough to yield the desired shade of brightness.
• Over the Counter teeth whitening kits. While convenient and sometimes effective, the primary issue with these kits is that they are not tailored to the individual. The whitening tray is not customized to fit the mold of a person’s teeth in a way that ensures even distribution of the whitening substance. This could lead to over brightening in some areas and under brightening in others, neither of which is desired.

Why You Should Consider Professional Houston Teeth Whitening

While some people may choose to use special toothpastes, it is important to know the facts about teeth whitening toothpaste. Over the counter brightening methods such as teeth whitening toothpaste are not precise or long lasting. The results can depend on the amount of toothpaste used, the frequency with which it is used, how thoroughly the user brushes their teeth, and how long the person takes to wash the paste out. This can lead to a lot of uncertainty about the end results.

With professional Houston teeth whitening, precision and accuracy are more standard. A licensed Houston dental professional is trained to properly whiten a patient’s teeth to their desired shade. Depending on the state of the patient’s teeth, more whitening sessions may be needed, but overall, professional Houston methods tend to last longer than over the counter options.

Before your next cocktail party, wedding or family reunion, know the facts about teeth whitening toothpaste and plan a visit with your Houston dentist. Your smile will thank you!