Do Whitening Toothpastes Work?

By Dr. Anna Chukhman

Americans spend nearly $1.5 billion on toothpaste every year. Recently more and more toothpastes that claim to whiten teeth are being introduced to the market, generating sales of $615 million a year. Toothpaste manufacturers are keeping up with the “white hot” trend of in-office tooth bleaching, but can they keep up with the results of professional bleaching? 

While toothpastes designed to whiten teeth are not as effective as bleaching the underlying tooth with in-office whitening systems or at-home bleaching trays, toothpastes can clean off stains that make the underlying tooth more apparent. All toothpastes are essentially whitening toothpastes since they remove stains. By definition, whitening toothpastes contain either bleaching agents not found in regular toothpaste or higher concentrations of abrasives. 

Bleaching agents, like hydrogen peroxide, chemically lighten natural teeth, but do not whiten dental work such as crowns, veneers or implants. To avoid irritating the gums, tongue, lips and other mouth tissue, the amount of bleaching agent is kept intentionally low. The results may not be as good as what your dentist can offer, but with a lower cost threshold, these toothpastes can produce a difference of one to tow shades out of a possible 16. 

Most whitening toothpastes use finely ground abrasives or plague-removing chemicals to scrub off surface stains produced by food and plaque. The difference between pastes typically relates to the size, shape and concentration of the polishing particles they contain. “Extra whitening” toothpastes usually contain even more abrasives, which may erode tooth enamel over time. Baking soda, an all natural cleansing and buffing agent, can also be found in whitening toothpastes. Mild abrasives and baking soda prove helpful in removing daily food stains. 

If your less-than-pearly whites require more than just stain removal, talk to your dentist about professional bleaching, which is a proven method to brighten your smile. If you’d like to opt for a whitening toothpaste at home, check with your dentist about which one may be right for you. Nearly every major brand now makes a toothpaste designed to dazzle.