Do Mouthwashes That Claim to Whiten Teeth Actually Work?
By Thomas Nabors | Published on October 14, 2011 | 0 Comments
The average drugstore shelf is filled with products that claim to whiten, brighten, and lighten people’s smiles. Among the cheapest of these products are the whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses. Unfortunately, Dr. Thomas D. Nabors DDS, a teeth whitening specialist in Dallas, says that over-the-counter toothpastes and rinses are unlikely to whiten people’s teeth enough to make any noticeable difference.
Specifically, Dr. Nabor says that toothpastes that claim to whiten people’s teeth are usually very abrasive. This abrasiveness will whiten teeth that are very stained from obvious culprits like cigarettes and coffee, however most people who are whitening their teeth these days want more than that. They want their teeth to be even whiter than before they started smoking and drinking coffee on a regular basis. Toothpastes and mouth rinses are unlikely to be able to produce these dramatic results on their own.
Toothpastes and mouthwashes that claim to whiten teeth usually have an agent in them called carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide has been shown to whiten teeth, however it only works if it is allowed to sit on the teeth for an extended period of time. If a person brushes for only two or three minutes and then rinses out his mouth, then carbamide peroxide is not being allowed to sit on the teeth for long enough to make any real difference. Thus, to brush regularly with a toothpaste that claims to have whitening properties is essentially useless, says Dr. Nabors.
Instead, the Dallas whitening expert recommends looking into a product that is held onto the teeth for at least an hour or more. Preferably, the product should be in contact with the teeth for three or four hours.
Dr. Nabors’ other recommendations to people who want teeth whitening in Dallas is to get both in-office and at-home trays. The advantage of in-office bleaching is that it appeases the “I want it now” mentality that most people have, and it does provide an immediate result. However, studies have shown that three weeks down the road, a person who is doing at-home bleaching is likely to have the same results as a person who underwent an in-office bleaching session.
When people bleach their teeth in the office, what happens is that the teeth dry out and that drying effect is what makes them appear lighter. Dr. Nabors says that a similar effect could be reached by separating one tooth from the others and blowing on it with air for five minutes. The tooth would look very white, however it would return to its natural color once it was back in contact with saliva.
For the most effective whitening treatment in Dallas, Dr. Nabors recommends visiting a dentist who specializes in teeth bleaching and asking for both in-office treatments and at-home trays.
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*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.