3202 Palm Harbor Blvd. Palm Harbor, Florida 34683 (727) 781-GUMS

Dr. Philip Sherman, DMD – Blog

Blog

Is whitening toothpaste really bad for your teeth?

close up of woman's perfect white teeth

Everyone wants whiter teeth, right? Therefore, whitening toothpaste is very popular these days but is whitening toothpaste really bad for your teeth and can it cause permanent damage?

How Can Whitening Toothpaste Cause Damage To Your Teeth?
Everyone who drinks coffee, tea, soda or red wines are subject to getting stains on their teeth. Worse than any of these is smoking tobacco. All these things can change the natural color of your teeth. Whitening toothpaste removes this kind of staining though that doesn’t mean it can change the natural color of your teeth.

The way these types of toothpaste work can be damaging to your teeth’s enamel. They usually contain tiny particles that are abrasives and stains are removed by scratching the surface of your enamel which is the stained layer of your teeth. Too much of this, over time, can affect your teeth’s natural shine and your enamel does not grow back. Continued use of these types of toothpaste can mean a significant loss of enamel and can lead to tooth decay.

Are There Bad Side Effects To Using Whitening Toothpaste?
Using harsh, abrasive toothpaste runs the risk of thinning your tooth enamel making the dentine beneath the surface more and more exposed. The Dentine is porous and runs right to the nerve of the tooth. You may begin to notice a greater sensitivity to hot and cold causing tooth pain. Using a sensitive toothpaste helps plug these little pores whereas the abrasive toothpaste opens these porous tubes up.

Many people chose a natural toothpaste like Tom’s of Maine Simply White toothpaste which whitens more naturally without any bleaching chemicals. or artificial dyes or sweeteners. Sensodyne Pronamel is also much gentler on the teeth and claims to whiten naturally as well. Many people simply add a little baking powder to their teeth cleaning solutions rather than use harsh whitening toothpaste.

If you really feel you need to us a whitening toothpaste, it’s much wiser to choose a more gentle whitening toothpaste and use a very soft bristled toothbrush to minimize the abrasiveness. Give the whitening toothpaste a rest at least a few times a week and use a regular toothpaste with fluoride to help strengthen your tooth enamel.

The best thing you can do for your teeth is to visit your friendly, neighborhood dentist regularly. Teeth cleaning and check-ups are the best way to keep your smile bright and white and your hygienist can remove those pesky stains the right way by protecting your gums before applying a whitening gel that typically takes about an hour and whitens the teeth a shade of two.

If you’re looking for a new dentist in the Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs area, that can help keep you and your family’s teeth white and bright, contact Dr. Phil Sherman at Breezy Bay Dental. He’s accepting new patients and will be happy to meet you.