A dentist has warned that using whitening toothpaste in an attempt to make teeth brighter can actually make them yellower and more prone to chipping.
In a viral video that has already been viewed more than 2 million times, the oral health specialist told his TikTok followers thatWhitening toothpastes ‘don’t actually whiten teeth’.
While they may make your smile look whiter at first by removing darker enamel, over time, the abrasive ingredients cause teeth to become thinner, yellower and more sensitive, she said.
This is because the erosion of the tooth’s protective enamel exposes the dentin, the main part of the tooth that has a yellow tint.
The dentist who goes by the name @rifkindental on TikTok told his 593 followers that whitening toothpaste can damage teeth.
The post, shared by the account @rifkindental, had many social media users questioning what they should do instead of using whitening toothpaste.
One social media user asked: “So what do you recommend?”
“Don’t stay with your best friend,” they added.
‘At this point, I’m pretty sure we’re all breathing wrong too,’ another added.
Others asked if whitening strips were better.
But there are many risks with both whitening toothpastes and home whitening kits.
Some whitening toothpastes use surface stain removers that whiten teeth by polishing their pearly whites.
This can remove discoloration caused by drinks or food using mild abrasives. It is these abrasives that can damage the enamel.
Enamel prevents teeth from breaking or wearing down, so not having enough of it can make you more susceptible to cavities.
Tooth decay is a major problem in the UK. According to the Oral Health Foundation, around a third of adults (33 per cent) suffer from tooth decay and three quarters have had a tooth extracted.
Tooth decay is the destruction of teeth caused by acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque. Every time you drink a sugary food or drink, the bacteria in plaque produce an acid that attacks your teeth.
But toothpaste brand Colgate insists that the whitening toothpastes on the market are safe to use.
The company explains that all toothpastes are rated for abrasiveness using something called a relative dentin abrasiveness (RDA) score.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says any toothpaste with a recommended daily allowance (RDA) of less than 250 is safe.
Most toothpastes on the market have an AUC of less than 200, which means that the risk of erosion is lower.
Other products contain whitening ingredients that actually change the color of your teeth.
However, under UK law, only a qualified dentist is authorised to offer effective treatments to patients.
You should talk to your dentist before trying a whitening product, as they may cause sensitivity.
It’s not just whitening toothpastes that carry a risk, the NHS warns that many home teeth whitening kits can cause harm.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent used in over-the-counter whitening products and professional treatments.
However, over-the-counter products contain very low doses that are unlikely to make a difference in tooth color.
The concentration of the whitening agent is higher in dentist-prescribed whitening gels, strips and pencils.
Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is illegal without a dental professional present and can put your oral health at risk.
Some of the risks include the whitening gel seeping onto your gums, which can cause blisters and sensitivity.
