With teeth whitening becoming all the rage, and hundreds of at-home whitening kit ads bombarding us on social media and in television ads, is it any wonder toothpaste companies wanted to cash in on the craze? That is why when shopping for toothpaste, you now have a dozen or more with whitening compounds in them. On the face of it, it seems like a great idea, right? Who wouldn't want to be whitening their teeth while they are brushing away the bacteria and leftover burrito bits from dinner?
While whitening solutions have already been flagged by the American Dental Association as potentially harmful—they can actually damage the soft tissues of the mouth if left in for too long—whitening toothpaste have not. But should they be?
Why Are Abrasive Toothpastes Bad?
The over-the-counter whitening solutions actually have bleaching agents in them. That is how they lighten the color of the teeth. Whitening toothpastes employ a different method.
Instead of using a bleaching agent, they use abrasion as their method of whitening. If you have used whitening toothpastes before, you have likely noticed they have a different consistency than regular toothpastes. It feels gritty. Those are the abrasive bits that work on the stains in the tooth enamel as the brush works back and forth on the teeth.
The bad news is those abrasive bits can be harmful to the soft tissues of the mouth. It can actually cause considerable damage to the gums, inside of the cheek, and even the tongue. In some cases, it can weaken the teeth and make them brittle, resulting in chips appearing in the enamel.
In Conclusion
While whitening toothpastes might seem like a good idea, they can be harmful. Leave the whitening to the professionals and pick a toothpaste that isn't a whitening toothpaste. Trust me, your teeth will thank you for it.
About Our Katy Dental Office | Wilson Dentistry Looking for a trusted dentist in Katy? We have 2 of the best! Click here now to learn more about Dr. Wilson, Dr. Boecker, and our dental team! Wilson Dentistry, 23020 Highland Knolls Dr. #B, Katy, TX 77494 + (346) 340-5440 + wilsondentistrytx.com + 12/11/2024 + Related Phrases: dentist katy +
With teeth whitening becoming all the rage, and hundreds of at-home whitening kit ads bombarding us on social media and in television ads, is it any wonder toothpaste companies wanted to cash in on the craze? That is why when shopping for toothpaste, you now have a dozen or more with whitening compounds in them. On the face of it, it seems like a great idea, right? Who wouldn't want to be whitening their teeth while they are brushing away the bacteria and leftover burrito bits from dinner?