Do whitening toothpastes work?

Dear Self-Portrait with White Teeth and Sasha,

Finding a way to have pearly whites without damage shouldn't feel like pulling teeth. The good news is not all whitening toothpastes are the same—some have higher amounts of abrasive particles than others. Using low abrasivity, American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste can help your teeth shine without making your dentist whine. Feel free to read on for more information about whitening toothpaste! 

How does whitening toothpaste work? 

Almost all toothpastes contain abrasive particles that use friction to help remove dental plaque. Whitening toothpastes tend to have higher amounts of abrasive particles to better remove stains often caused by coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco products. 

What’s in whitening toothpaste? 

As mentioned, whitening toothpaste can contain abrasive particles, like hydrated silica, perlite, alumina, calcium carbonate, calcium pyrophosphate, and sodium bicarbonate. They can also have chemical ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium citrate, and sodium pyrophosphate. These chemicals interact with and break down particles on the teeth’s surface. Additionally, whitening toothpastes can contain dyes like blue covarine or blue covasorb, that essentially bleach the outer surface of the teeth—known as enamel. 

What are the dangers of using whitening toothpaste? 

Abrasive particles on their own aren’t necessarily dangerous—many non-whitening toothpastes have abrasive particles without causing dental damage. Because whitening toothpastes have elevated levels of abrasives, there’s a higher risk for tooth damage. The consequences of such damage include hypersensitivity, decreased tooth strength, increased bacteria buildup, and a higher risk of inflammation.

You can find out exactly how abrasive your whitening toothpaste is based on the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale. The ADA recommends using toothpastes with an RDA score of 249 or below. If you’re interested in reviewing your own toothpaste RDA, check out the index of toothpaste brands ranked by RDA. You can also pay attention to whether the ADA seal of approval appears on your toothpaste tube. This indicates that its safety has been vetted. 

How can you prevent dental damage? 

In addition to avoiding whitening toothpastes with high RDA scores, it’s best practice to brush in gentle circles with a toothbrush that has soft bristles—brushing too hard or with too hard a toothbrush can damage your enamel. General recommendations to promote dental longevity include consistently brushing and flossing, visiting a dentist at least once a year, and drinking water after meals. 

What are some teeth whitening alternatives? 

A natural way to whiten your teeth is to eat certain foods that naturally remove surface stains. Such foods include: 

• Strawberries 
• Apples 
• Celery 
• Carrots 
• Sesame seeds 
• Pineapple 
• Oranges 
• Dairy products 
• Kiwi 
• Lemon extract and peel 
• Banana peels 

Some people think that charcoal toothpastes are a more natural way to whiten teeth because they don’t rely on chemical whiteners. However, charcoal-containing toothpaste has been found to contribute to tooth surface loss and hasn’t been approved by the ADA. 

If you’re still concerned about damaging your teeth while whitening them, you may consider speaking with a dentist to review your tooth health and hygiene options. That said, using an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste, brushing gently, and eating natural teeth-whitening foods are good starting points. 

Best of luck with your dental care!