Whitening toothpastes contain abrasives which polish the teeth and remove any external stains.  So if your teeth have stains from coffee, tea, soda or tobacco the toothpaste will help to remove those superficial stains.  It is similar to having your teeth polished at your dentist’s office during your cleanings, where they use a polishing paste with similar abrasives.  If the toothpastes contain any bleaching agent at all, the concentration is very minimal and not enough to change the color of your teeth.

So if your objective is to change the intrinsic color of your teeth, your best bet is to try the bleaching options available from your dentist or retail stores.  Your options range from over-the-counter whitening products like Crest whitestrips to in-office bleaching procedures like Zoom.

If you choose to do in-office bleaching, your dentist may recommend using a whitening toothpaste afterwards.  This is mainly to keep your teeth free of external stains and not to change the color of your teeth.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 2, 2010

Teeth whitening or bleaching is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform your smile.

Having said that, who IS a candidate for whitening?

Patients with unrestored (ie. no fillings, crowns) front teeth and premolars respond best to whitening.  This is because only natural tooth structure will respond to the bleaching process.  It is also very important that the patient have healthy gums.  If you simply want to brighten your smile and are happy with the shape and alignment of your teeth, and you meet the above criteria, then you are a good candidate.

Who is NOT a good candidate for whitening?

• Children under the age of 16.  For these young people, the pulp chamber of the teeth is still quite large and easily irrated, and bleaching can cause the teeth to become very sensitive.
• Pregnant or nursing women.  The concern here is primarily about the chemicals used in teeth-whitening products, some of which could be swallowed, and their potential effect on a fetus.
• Very sensitive teeth.  The whitening process can make already-sensitive teeth even worse.  Consult your dentist about your sensitive teeth before considering whitening.
• Cavities and gum disease.  Any active disease must be treated prior to whitening.
• Fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations.  If your teeth already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, keep in mind that these materials do not whiten.  Therefore, any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of any restorations.  This will ensure the best match to your new tooth color.

There are many ways to do teeth whitening, ranging from at-home products with custom trays, to in-office procedures such as Zoom.  As with any dental procedure, consult with your dentist to determine what strategy would work best for you.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po